She called Benton. “Yes, sir, the FBI is here to see you.” A pause. “Okay, I’ll send him in.” She stood and gestured for Derrick to follow her.
The office was exactly what Derrick would expect. Cold and formal. Oversized desk, diploma from Harvard Law School on the wall, law books on a bookcase on the wall behind him. A round table with three chairs surrounding it in the corner. He’d seen a photo of Benton and he was just as austere in person with his jet-black hair and his custom-tailored stark gray suit that probably cost a small fortune. A Rolex adorned his wrist, and he wore a signet ring featuring the HLS shield on his right hand, a gold and diamond wedding band on his left.
“Special Agent Derrick Fox,” Derrick said.
Benton didn’t bat an eye. “Listen, if this is about Minnie, I already talked to that detective and there’s nothing else I can tell you.”
“It won’t take long, sir.” Derrick didn’t ask or wait for an invitation. He seated himself in the chair facing Benton. “I’ve spoken with Detective Reeves and am aware of your statement and your wife’s. I realize in the beginning, you believed your daughter committed suicide, but now we know that wasn’t the case. I also understand that you aren’t interested in helping find your granddaughter or your daughter’s killer.”
Benton gave him a condescending look. “Judge me for it if you want, but my family is mine to deal with and I don’t have to justify my actions to you.”
Derrick gritted his teeth.Asshole.“Actually in a homicide and child kidnapping case, you do, sir. Where were you the night Minnie was murdered and your granddaughter abducted?”
Benton folded his hands on his desk. “In meetings until I arrived home, where I stayed the rest of the night. My wife will corroborate that.”
“Your wife is your only alibi?”
“That and the senior partner here. We were working on a big case together.”
“What case was that, Mr. Benton?”
“Seriously,” Benton said with an arrogant lift of his chin. “You know my work is confidential, Agent Fox.”
Hmm. Benton and the partner were providing alibis for each other. Convenient.
“You need to understand, sir, that this investigation involves more than just your family now. We believe at least two other girls were murdered by the same person who killed Minnie and abducted her daughter. Now another young girl and her child have gone missing.”
Benton’s face paled slightly although he quickly shifted to cover his reaction.
“Why do you think they’re connected?” Benton asked.
“Minnie’s death, the other girls’ deaths and the abductions share similarities.” Derrick scrutinized Benton who was starting to sweat now. “We also suspect whoever murdered the teens is either trafficking the abducted children or possibly involved in an illegal adoption ring. You may not be concerned about your own grandchild, but the other parents and grandparents care about theirs.” Derrick narrowed his eyes, forcing a neutral tone. “Unless you know our unsub and are representing him, you have no right to withhold information. I’m certain you don’t want to support a murderer or child theft ring because of your silence. So if there’s anything you can add, please speak up.”
Anger flared from Benton’s dark eyes, then he stood and buttoned his suit jacket. “How dare you imply that I’m involvedin illegal activities. As I stated earlier, I’ve told you everything I know. Now please leave.”
Derrick squared his shoulders as he rose from the chair. Ellie was completely on target about Benton. “Fine, but you understand the law, sir. If I learn you did have something to do with this and are covering it up, I will make certain you can’t hide behind that law degree and that the law is enforced to the fullest.”
Benton’s anger turned to outrage, and he slung his hand toward the door. “Get out. Now.”
Unfazed by the lawyer’s histrionics, Derrick turned and left then walked straight to the receptionist’s desk. “I need to see Mr. Whittaker now. And don’t tell me he’s in a damn meeting. Either you point me to his office, or I’ll arrest you for interfering with a federal investigation.”
Fear flashed on the woman’s face, and she gestured down the hall opposite Benton’s office, then grabbed her purse and hurried for the door.
SEVENTY-SIX
Dalton
Ellie assured Rhonda they wouldn’t give up their search for Dana Jo and Lou Lou and refused to leave Rhonda alone until the medics arrived.
In her mind, Ellie could hear the child’s terrified screams as her abductor snatched her, then left her grandmother behind, bleeding and injured.
Car engines rumbled outside indicating the ERT had arrived, and she stepped back into the hallway.
Cord called from downstairs, “Medics are here.”
“Great. Send them and the ERT up so they can start processing the scene. I’m gathering Dana Jo’s things for DNA and for Benji to help search the premises and the woods behind.”
“Copy that.”
