Chapter 16
SIXTEEN
Amanda and Trent walked up the driveway to the house registered to Mack and Noelle Fisher.
They would have preferred to track her down elsewhere, just in case her husband was around, but time was of the essence.
They had discussed swinging past the motel but already knew the answer they’d receive from the desk clerk.
Without a warrant, they were under no obligation to disclose anything about their guests.
Noelle’s silver Toyota Camry was in the driveway, so she should be home.
Amanda reached for the doorbell but stopped at the sound of raised voices inside.
“How in the world can I believe a word you tell me?” a man yelled.
“I have no reason to lie to you,” a woman responded.
Amanda looked over at Trent, rang the bell, and followed it up with a quick knock.
The voices became silent, and footsteps soon padded toward the door. It swung open, and a man was standing there. His face was flushed, and his hair was spiked up at the front.
“We’re looking to speak with Noelle Fisher,” Amanda said.
The man flailed his arms and yelled back into the house, “Noelle!” Then he turned and left them standing there, the door left wide open in his wake.
The woman came into view, and he said to her, “And you wonder why I can’t trust you? The police are at the door looking to talk with you.”
“The police?”
“You hard of hearing, Noelle?”
Amanda winced and couldn’t bring herself to look at Trent again, though she saw he was facing her through her peripheral vision.
Noelle came to the door and pulled it shut to her side. “I’m Noelle Fisher. What is it?”
“I tried calling you,” Trent said, earning Noelle’s gaze.
Her cheeks shot red, and she let out a deep sigh. “I’ve been kind of preoccupied.”
“Not to worry, we’re here now.” Trent gave the woman a tight smile. “We’re here because a friend of yours, Phillip Daily, is in some trouble.”
“Phillip?” the man called out from somewhere inside the house. His steps started pounding toward the door.
Noelle stepped outside and shut it behind her, held on to the handle. The man tugged on it, and she relented.
The man stepped outside. “Who is Phillip Daily?”
“Sir, this is a police matter that involves your wife,” Amanda intercepted.
“Uh-huh, I’m sure it does. Just as I’m sure this Phillip guy is screwing my wife.”
“You know what, Mack? I’ve had it up to here with you.” Noelle flailed a hand, gesturing toward the sky. “Yes, Phillip is some guy I’m screwing.”
Amanda stepped back wishing she were anywhere else. Nothing was more uncomfortable than being given audience to a marital spat. “Listen, you two can discuss the future of your marriage when we leave. For now, sir, you need to go back into the home, so we can talk with your wife.”
“To hell with that.” The man disappeared inside the house.
“Sorry about him. What’s wrong with Phillip?” Noelle rubbed her arms and jutted out her chin.
Amanda gave her props for regaining her composure so fast. “Phillip is a person of interest, and he provided you as an alibi.”
“Alibi?” Noelle choked on the word. “What do you think he’s done?”
Amanda considered how much to disclose. There was a fine line to follow, and she would like to draw out some information from Noelle. Her thoughts were interrupted by the garage door opening, and Mack roaring out in a Mazda.
Noelle shook her head. “He’s such a jackass.”
Yep, this marriage is done for… “How long have you known Phillip?”
“For two months. We met at a bar. Our friendship grew from there.”
“Then you can’t really testify to his character?” Amanda asked.
“I guess not, but he always treats me well.”
“Where were you on Saturday afternoon between two and four o’clock?” Trent asked.
“At the Motor Court with Phillip.”
“And you’re sure it was during that time?” Amanda wanted to be certain.
“Yeah, I’m sure.”
Trent wrote something in his notepad and put it away. “Okay, thank you for your time.”
Amanda handed the woman her card before turning to leave. To think they came here with their suspicions about Noelle, even whether she’d admit to being holed up with Phillip Daily in a motel room. As it turned out, it couldn’t have been easier. Aside from watching a marriage combust…
As they loaded back into the car, Trent said, “I guess we need to cut Daily loose.”
“Guess so.” Putting us back to ground zero…
“Where do you say we concentrate our efforts now? I’m thinking we dig into Paul’s life.”
“The wise course of action. He was the one who was murdered. Why don’t you take us over to Dumfries Elementary, and we’ll talk to the principal and some of Paul’s colleagues?”
“You sure?”
“It has to be tackled at some point. No time like the present.” Especially when a mother and her daughter are still unaccounted for…