Page 93 of Lost Hours
“Her phone? I don’t—wait. Oh, man. That’s it, right? I found a phone when I went hiking this afternoon. It was dead so I brought it home. When I went to bed, I plugged it in to charge. Figured if it didn’t have a password, I could look at it in the morning. You know, to see who it belongs to and return it to the owner. Worst case, they would use their app Find My iPhone and come looking for it. I never expected the police to show up and cuff me like some common criminal.”
His story sounded legit, but Mina couldn’t take it at face value. “Please understand our point of view. We have a murdered citizen, his daughter is missing, likely abducted, and you’re in possession of her phone. We have to be very cautious. I think you can understand that.”
“I understand you needing to question me,” he lifted his chin, “but I don’t understand the need to cuff me.”
He had a point, but… “I can see why you think it’s a bit extreme, but I need to protect my deputies.”
“Not hardly.” He puffed out his chest. “If Ihadabducted this woman as you said, why would I plug her phone in here? Don’t you think I’m smart enough to know it would then be traceable?”
Mina stared at him. “Just the fact that you know anything about a phone leading to your location raises suspicions for me.”
He growled his frustration and glared at her.
Footsteps sounded in the hallway, and she poked her head outside the room.
“All clear in the crawlspace.” Abe pressed his lips tight. He’d been looking for some action, and it hadn’t materialized.
“The minute we get back to the office,” she said. “I need you to request a warrant to search his Portland home and any businesses he might own.”
“Now wait a minute.” Anderson started to rise.
El pushed him down. “You could be holding Becca or have held her in these locations. Or even left the gun that killed the mayor.”
Anderson snarled. “I am seriously going to sue your joke of a small-town department when we get done here. You’ll be sorry you treated me this way.”
His offensive comment didn’t bother Mina in the least. She knew she was doing the right thing. “We’re not doing anything any other law enforcement agency wouldn’t do in this situation. You can help yourself out if you remember where you found the phone and can show us.”
He took several deep breaths. “I do and I can.”
“Is it within walking distance?” she asked.
He nodded.
“Then take us there now.” She eyed him. “Don’t try anything or it won’t go well for you.”
He shook his head. “Why would I try anything? I’m not the criminal you seem to think I am.”
“You can get some pants and shoes on before we go,” Mina said.
“Thanks for the privacy.” He glared at her, but after she freed his hands, grabbed his jeans from a nearby chair and slipped into them and a pair of athletic shoes.
Mina gestured at the doorway. “Detective Lyons, lead the way. Mr. Anderson, you’ll follow her.”
El cuffed Anderson again, and stepped off, Anderson falling into place behind her. Mina trailed, her hand on her sidearm.
El opened the door and stepped out, then took Anderson by the arm. She strode down the steps and into the cool night at a solid pace. Thankfully, Anderson didn’t drag his feet.
They moved down the gravel driveway and passed close to Nolan’s position. Mina signaled for him to join them and told him what had transpired in the cabin.
“It’ll be interesting to see where he found the phone,” Nolan said.
“Indeed,” was all Mina said as she wanted to concentrate on Anderson’s behavior.
He walked with his shoulders back and didn’t seem to hesitate. He didn’t make any furtive moves or act as if he was going to try to take off. She really was believing his story, but there was no way she could let him go until they searched his properties or located Becca.
He took them to the road and turned right, traveling about a mile past their parked vehicles. He stopped near an odd-shaped tree.
“I found it here,” he said.
