"Good," Derek said."Then let’s do this."
He got out of the car first, followed by James.Alison took a moment before exiting the vehicle and joining them.They walked to the house together.
Alison knew there was a chance that the man they were going to talk with could be no one.There was also a chance he was the man who had killed her sister and four other women.
Alison held back when they got to the steps, letting Derek and her father go down first.If Mills was the killer, had he followed the case closely afterward?Did he know Emma's family?Would he recognize James and her?
James knocked on the door when they got to the bottom, James by his side.Alison stood towering above, two steps back.
A middle-aged woman answered the door.
James smiled and took out his badge."I’m sorry to bother you, ma’am.My name is Special Agent Derek Sullivan.I’m looking to talk with Howard Mills.Is he in?"
"Oh, my goodness," she replied."Has something happened?Is Howard in trouble?"
"We only want to talk with him," Derek said.
The woman placed her hand on her heart."Yes, yes, of course."She turned from the door."Howard!The police are here to speak with you.I don't know what about."
A moment later, Howard Mills appeared in the doorway.He wasn’t wearing his work uniform anymore, donning a pair of tan slacks and a short-sleeved check shirt.He had short, graying hair, bushy eyebrows, and a relatively unwrinkled face.His eyes were round, rich blue, and welcoming.
When he came to the door, he did so with a smile, and there was no hint that he was concerned by an FBI agent at his door.
Derek showed his badge again."Howard Mills, I’m Special Agent Sullivan, and my two associates."Derek gestured to the side and behind."Do you mind if we come in and ask you a few questions?"
"No, not at all," Howard said."Please, come in."
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Derek was the first to enter the house, followed by James, and then Alison.All three walked past Howard, who stood at the door, waiting for them to pass.Alison smiled politely as she passed Howard, looking him in the eyes and wondering if they were the eyes of a killer.Once all three were inside, he closed the door behind them.
"Just straight ahead," Howard said."We can sit through in the kitchen.Would anyone like some coffee?"
"No, we’re fine," James said as he followed Derek through to the kitchen.
Howard was polite and unperturbed by the police at his door.He has also not asked what the visit was for.Did that suggest he was guilty or innocent?
Alison followed her father to the kitchen, checking over her shoulder to make sure that Harold was following them and not making a run for it.If he were the killer, he would be a mess of nerves inside.He didn’t display any of that on the outside.
Alison looked around as she walked.There were pictures of children on the walls from when Howard was much younger.His kids had grown up and had left home.There was a shelf with some porcelain frogs, and a small cuckoo clock above it.The kitchen was cluttered and small.A toaster and kettle took up half the counter space, but the kitchen still had a large dining table that occupied much of the floor space.There were six chairs around the table, suggesting that Mills and his wife hosted a lot.
They were looking for a killer who was careful and had avoided capture.The kitchen didn't display an organized mind, but the clutter could also be due to the lack of space.
"Are you sure that you won't have any coffee?"Mills asked again when he reached the kitchen.
"No, that’s quite all right," Derek said.
Mills stood before the tree of them and opened his arms."So, what can I help with?"
"Why don't we sit down?"Derek suggested, gesturing towards the table.
"Yes, please take a seat," Mills said as he pulled out a chair for himself.He sat down and placed his hands on the table.
Alis glanced at his hands as she pulled out a chair for herself.Mills’ hands were steady.
"So," Mills said slowly."What can I do for you?It’s not often you have the FBI come to your door."
"I’m sure it’s not," Derek said with a smile, trying to put Mills at ease."We’re in the middle of a homicide investigation, and we’re going door to door to see if anyone saw anything."
