Chapter 27
"Riley confided in me that she was pregnant," Richard said.
"Was the child yours?"
His face wrinkled with offense. "No. That’s preposterous. How dare you suggest something like that?”
“One of Riley’s friends told us the baby is yours.”
“Well, she’s wrong.”
“That’s what Riley told her.”
Richard shook his head. “People can say anything they want.
I didn't ask Riley who the father was. I assumed it was her current boyfriend.
They had recently broken up for whatever reason.
Riley was concerned that she wasn't going to be able to make ends meet on her current salary. She was worried she wouldn’t be able to take care of the needs of her child and assist Julie.
She wanted to talk to me first. She was afraid that Julie might not be so understanding. "
"Julie seems like a sweet, compassionate woman," I said, egging him on.
"You've only met my wife briefly. While I adore her, she can be callous in certain situations. I know Julie, and she would see Riley as compromised by her current situation. I know Julie would be concerned that Riley wouldn’t be able to fulfill her obligations. It must be an overwhelming position for Riley. I did my best to assure her that I would not only keep her on staff at the house, but I would double her pay, and I would smooth things out with Julie.”
“So, you’re telling me you’ve never had any intimate relations with your nanny?”
“I love my wife.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
Richard stared at us for a long moment. “Gentlemen, I’m trying to be as cooperative as I can.
Why should I even bother to answer your questions if you’re not going to believe what I say?
I care deeply about Riley. She’s essentially become a part of our family.
But I did not, and would not, violate the vows of my marriage. ”
I tried not to let my doubt show. "What time did Riley leave your house last night?”
"I'm not sure. It was around 9:30 PM, 9:45-ish.”
"How did she get there?"
"I think she rode her bike. I didn't pay much attention.”
I shared another look with Jack.
"I think something happened to her on the way home," Richard said.
"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 your witness and 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 to volunteer not 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.”
The elevator doors slid open, and we stepped aboard.
JD continued. “If Riley went over there last night, and Richard killed her, where’s the body?”
I had a good idea where she might be.
We left the building and plunged down the steps to the parking lot.
A black sedan with tinted windows pulled out of a space and turned toward us instead of exiting the lot.
The hairs on the back of my neck stood tall. I drew my pistol and held it at the ready as the sedan approached.