Chapter 20
TWENTY
Amanda got out of the car the moment it stopped in the lot for a gym named Iron Dominion Fitness. Officer Cochran was standing in uniform next to a blue Kia Rio. Officer Wyatt was beside it dressed in shorts and a T-shirt.
“A little underdressed, Officer?” Trent said to Wyatt.
“Funny man. This is my gym.” He nudged his head toward the building. “I came for a workout, spotted the Kia, remembered the BOLO, and called it in.”
“I spoke with the gym’s manager,” Traci stepped in, giving her colleague a side-glance. “Members need to swipe a keycard. It showed Paul Archer clocking in this past Saturday at two fifteen and out at three twenty.”
“He checked out not long after Valerie’s and Brooke’s abductions,” Trent said.
“It would seem their abductors came here for him afterward,” Amanda began. “No one noticed the car was just sitting here all this time?”
Traci shook her head. “They don’t track that because parking’s never been a problem for their clients. The gym’s also open twenty-four hours, with people coming and going, so it’s not standing out. The only reason we’re here now is because of Officer Wyatt.”
“Right, and going back to that, it’s Wednesday, and you’re just making it here for the first time this week?” Trent teased Wyatt.
“Who says it’s my first time? But the rest of us don’t have cushy hours like you detectives.” Wyatt smiled and waved. “I’m heading out. Ciao.” He pushed a button on a key fob, and a Volvo came to life.
“What? You’re leaving? You just got here?” Trent pushed.
“I’m not in the mood to lift weights now. Heading home. Night.”
“Any excuse,” Trent said at a lower volume and shook his head, a subtle smile resting on his lips.
“All right, then.” Amanda wasn’t sure what was up with her partner, but she understood the need to let off some steam. Running behind the clock was wearing on her too. “What about video surveillance? The gym have any?”
“They don’t, but I thought we might get lucky with footage from doorbell cameras.” Traci pointed at the line of houses across from the lot.
Amanda nodded. “It’s worth a shot.”
“I’ll go knock on some doors.”
“Thanks, Traci,” Amanda told her.
“Don’t mention it. Anything else, or should I get a move on?” Traci jacked a thumb over her shoulder.
“All good.” Amanda watched Traci walk away before turning to Trent. “I say we chat with the people in the gym.”
“Lead the way.”
Inside, Amanda and Trent were greeted by a twenty-something with blond hair and tattoos laced up her arms. Her biceps were larger than Amanda’s calves.
“Welcome to Iron Dominion Fitness.” She smiled, and the expression read as genuine. “Looking to sign up? I don’t remember seeing you here before.” Her eyes trailed over Trent.
Amanda cleared her throat and pulled back her light jacket to disclose the badge clipped to her waist. “Detectives Steele and Stenson. You are?”
“Kimberly.”
“You might be aware of the situation in the parking lot,” Amanda began.
“About Paul’s car being left here? Yeah, I heard.”
Several people were working out, and from all appearances, business was doing well.
Enough that it could have afforded surveillance.
The management must not have seen the need.
Among those sweating were staff wearing the gym’s branded T-shirts.
One of these people, a man in his thirties, good-looking, lean, and about six-foot-three, headed toward them.
“I’m Cody Black, the manager,” he told them.
Amanda held up her badge. “Detective Steele, and this is my partner, Detective Stenson. The blue Kia in your lot belonged to Paul Archer. We understand he was a member here.”
“That’s right. I told the female officer that. What’s going on anyhow? Is the guy okay?”
“Unfortunately, he’s not. He was murdered.” As she laid this out, she watched for any expression that might disclose either of them already knew this. Even though they didn’t think Paul was the primary target in the abduction, they had to keep a broad perspective.
The woman’s mouth dropped open, and she faced Cody. “He was murdered?”
“That’s what she just said.” To Amanda and Trent, Cody added, “It’s tragic, but I’m not sure how we can help you.”
“You don’t seem too broken up about his death,” Trent said.
“It’s not that. I just didn’t know the guy that well. From the times we spoke, we had little in common. He was a father, wasn’t he?”
“He was. Two teenagers,” Trent told them.
“How sad,” Kimberly chirped in.
“What about you, Kimberly? Did you know Paul well?” Amanda asked her.
Kimberly shook her head.
Amanda studied her eyes, curious if she bought her claim.
Valerie had her dalliance on the side. It was plausible Paul had strayed from the marriage too.
And this young woman was within Paul’s league.
Despite his age, he had been handsome and fit.
But if she knew him on an intimate level, it would stand to reason she’d know what he drove.
His car hanging around would have flagged for her.
She’d be far more emotional to learn of his death.
“Do you know if any members or staff socialized with him?”
Cody shook his head. “Can’t say for sure.”
“Well, we’ll need to speak with the people here about Paul.” Amanda glanced into the workout space, taking everyone in. Most of them weren’t paying her and Trent much attention. Though she caught some looking before they turned away.
Cody crossed his arms. “I’m not sure I’m comfortable with you harassing our members.”
“I get that, but I’m sure the gym wouldn’t want to be seen as not caring about the welfare of its members either,” she leveled back.
Cody looked at Kimberly and sighed. “Buzz them through. But if I get complaints, that’s on you.” With the latter bit, he met Amanda’s gaze.
She shrugged. “That’s fine by us.”
There was a buzz, and the barricade swung open. They were in.
About thirty minutes later, Amanda and Trent were walking back out, after speaking with everyone in the gym. Not one member or employee offered anything helpful to the investigation.
Traci pushed off her cruiser and came walking toward them the second they stepped outside. “Knocking on doors paid off. The house directly across the street has a doorbell camera, and it captured Paul’s abduction.” She pulled her phone from her pants pocket.
Amanda couldn’t believe their luck. “Go ahead, and play it.”
She and Trent stood to each side of Traci and watched in horror as the black Ford Transit swept into the lot and parked beside Paul’s Kia.
Chills spread down her arms. “They’re waiting on him. Can you go back a bit? Any chance we make out the plate?”
Traci reversed the footage and shook her head. “All a blur.”
“They still have the tinted covers over the plates,” Trent put in.
Amanda nodded for Traci to resume playing the video.
Paul put his bag in the trunk and was walking around to the driver’s side when the back door of the van slid open.
“Is that…? Can you zoom in any closer?” The kidnappers must not have given any thought to a doorbell camera from across the street capturing the abduction.
Traci made some adjustments, but it still wasn’t that clear.
Amanda swore that someone was near the open door, beckoning Paul to get in, but it wasn’t in focus to make out any details.
“Digital Forensics might be able to clear it up,” Trent suggested.
She wasn’t so sure about that and said, “Resume playing it, please.”
The video got underway again, and the three of them watched as Paul Archer got into the van and soon later sped away.
“The time stamp reads three twenty-two,” Trent began. “Well, we have video proof now that Paul Archer was taken.”
“Uh-huh, after his wife and daughter. They would have already been in the back of that van when he was ushered inside. It’s why he cooperated.” Amanda could only imagine how fear-stricken he must have been.