"How do you explain the eyewitness who says you strangled a blonde woman? At first, I thought that was your wife. Now I think it was Riley.”
Richard shook his head. "That's preposterous. I would never do anything to hurt my wife or Riley. You know she has to pass by those Pelican Place Apartments on Canal Street. All kinds of degenerates live there. Anything could happen.”
My skeptical eyes stared at him.
"I'm telling you, something is at play here. I don't know what. You need to go back to yourwitnessand start investigating. That's where the issue is. Maybe your witness is involved.”
I took a deep breath. "I will take that under advisement. You should come down to the station and make a full statement."
His face twisted. "Are you arresting me?”
"No. It’s strictly voluntary at this time.”
"As tempting as your offer is, I'm going tovolunteernot to go down to the station.”
"How does your son feel about Riley?”
"James loves Riley," he said, like the question was absurd.
"Your other son, Sean.”
"Truth be told, I think Sean has a crush on Riley. What boy that age wouldn't?”
"Where was he last night?”
"I don't know where my son was. He didn't come home until late.”
"So it was just you at the house with Riley until she left.”
"Yes," Richard replied.
“I’d like to talk to Sean.”
“Not going to happen. He has nothing to do with this.” He paused. “I demand to know who has been making these false allegations. We have to assume they have some involvement in Riley’s disappearance.”
“Rest assured, we will fully investigate this.”
“Good. If there is anything I can do to help your investigation, let me know.”
“Well, you could come down to the station, make a statement, and give a DNA sample.”
“My attorney advised against speaking to you, but I felt it necessary to set the record straight. I’m devastated by this news, and I’m praying for Riley’s swift and safe return.”
I just stared at him.
“Do you think it’s possible she was kidnapped, and we might receive ransom demands?”
“I think anything is possible. You’re a wealthy man. Who knows? If someone contacts you, get proof of life and call me immediately.”
“Of course.” After an awkward pause, he said, “Gentlemen, I’ve got business to attend to, but thank you for stopping by.”
We stood up, shook hands, then left the office.
When we got back to the elevators, JD said, “That guy is so full of it.”
“He knows we don’t have anything solid.”
“No doubt in my mind he was sleeping with the nanny. She started thinking she wanted to be the next Mrs. Pearson. He had a problem on his hands.”
