Kerry gave the cuffs a tug. "Let's go," she said.
May stood aside as they escorted him into the police department.
"Where can we interview this suspect?" Kerry asked.
"The side office is available," Sheriff Jack said, opening the door. "I'll organize you a tape recorder now."
As Kerry hustled the suspect in, Adams lingered at the door.
"Amazing display of profiling skill," he said. "Agent Moore found out that within the past few months, all three of the suspects had eaten at the same diner, Mandi's, right here in Fairshore. And they were all served by Vincent Blackman. We've found out this man has harassed female clients in the past, and even left his phone number on the check when serving the ladies."
Triumphantly, he slammed the door.
May shook her head in disbelief as she trailed back to her office.
How could Kerry have taken such a wrong tangent, she wondered. Couldn’t she see what was clearly obvious? This waiter was most definitely not the person they were looking for, in May’s view, anyway.
"You don't think it's him?" Owen asked, following her inside.
"No! I don't think so. Why would a person who abducts women put his phone number on checks? That's completely contradictory behavior. Also, that guy is maybe twenty-one? I am sure he lives at home. Where's he keeping the victims? Does he even own a car? I bet you ten dollars he walks or cycles to work."
Owen's eyebrows raised.
"Those are good questions," he admitted.
"I am sure we’re going to find this killer is older. Old enough to own a place he can take them to. A man with his own vehicle," May insisted.
"You should tell them so," Owen advised.
May laughed cynically.
"Me? Tell them? They have expressly warned me to keep my nose out of this. They'd only shout me down, and tell me to go issue a parking ticket, and then accuse me of jealousy."
She sighed, slumping down at the desk.
She was jealous. No way could she deny that.
But that wasn't why she thought her sister had arrested the wrong guy.
It was because May knew this town and she knew the people and she'd thought the situation through. Not that her local knowledge was wanted. Or appreciated.
Owen put a hand on her shoulder, in a comforting gesture. She jumped a little, startled. Quickly, he removed his hand.
"I agree with you," he said.
"Do you?" she asked. "Do you really?"
To her surprise, he nodded. "I think you've got this one right," he said. "It's not just the phone number on the check. It's everything else you said, too. It doesn't make sense he would be the killer."
"You really think so?" she asked, her heart starting to beat faster.
At that moment, the door to the makeshift interview room banged open.
May held her breath, ears straining as she tried to overhear what was happening.
She could hear the sound of Kerry's voice, but she couldn't make out what she was saying. But she thought she sounded disappointed.
Then she heard Adams's voice. His was louder. She definitely picked up the words, "Alibi checks out."
He mumbled something else and then said, "Yes. He can be released."
May breathed out. The suspect her sister had arrested was not the killer. She was certain she knew where she should be looking next. She wanted to find out more about the creepy guy at the marina.
But there was no way she could tell anyone to do it, or it would be classed as interfering.
In that case, May decided, they were forcing her hand. She was not about to ignore this potentially promising direction. Feeling guilty but determined, she headed back through the office.
Jack was standing outside the interview room, talking to her sister and Adams.
Kerry was looking calm. She didn't look at all disappointed, May noted.
"He's not the killer," Kerry said to Jack. "Adams and I are off to pursue another strong lead now. I'll be in touch. You can process this suspect's release."
“Will do, agents,” Jack said. He opened the interview room door, stepped inside, and closed it again.
Turning on her heel, Kerry stalked out of the police department, closely followed by Adams. May watched as the two of them strode back to the car.
They were off to pursue another strong lead, May thought. She didn't know where that lead would take them. But she couldn’t wait any longer. She needed to get back to the marina to talk to Harry and his sons. A family was waiting for news. A young woman’s life was at risk! And she knew how it felt to be caught up in a case like this.
This time, she wasn't going to risk Owen's job along with hers. She was going to sneak away and continue on her own.