“Harris said he confronted Carl Abbott and got an uneasy feeling about him.”
“Yeah, he told me about it. He wanted me to speak to you. He asked Carl where he was on the night of the murder. His answer was at home,” Alex said. “Harris thinks he might have been here in Key West.”
“I can check with our communications department. Nothing unusual showed when I called him, but that was the next day. So, it’s possible he was here that night. It’s a long drive but it’s doable.”
“I also felt something was going on with him but couldn’t put my finger on it,” Alex said.
“I’ve tried to give him the benefit of the doubt because of the severity of the case,” said Sharkey.
“Carl’s pretty set on finding his kid. He seemed like a guy that won’t wait for the wheels of justice to grind slowly.”
“I agree. He could wind up screwing up the whole case.”
“I’m working with Jerry and Chichi. I think they plan to keep an eye on Carl,” said Alex.
* * *
Carl Abbott drove to the police station and asked to see Detective Sharkey.
“I’ll check with Detective Sharkey and see if he’s available.”
Sharkey had just turned on his computer after returning from lunch. He turned off the monitor of his computer and took the stairs down to get Abbott.
“Mr. Abbott, come with me.” He led the way to an interview room and sat down at the table. “Have a chair. What can I do for you?”
“I demand…”
“Don’t demand. Just ask,” Sharkey said softly. “We’re public servants, here to serve and protect. By the way, do you have a problem with me recording this conversation?”
“Hell, go ahead. It’ll be a record that I shared my concerns with you.”
“Yes, it will,” Sharkey said, with a poker face. “Go ahead then.”
“I want to know exactly what you’re doing to find my boy.”
Sharkey let out a long breath then said, “We’re looking for Javier first and foremost. We believe he may have the children.”
“You call his cell?”
“Yes, of course. His phone is out of operation so its location can’t be traced.” Sharkey’s face was deadly serious. “Mr. Abbott, we’re doing everything humanly possible to try to locate your children.”
“That baby isn’t mine. I only want to know where Tyler is,” Abbott shouted.
“Stay calm. I know that this is all very stressful, but we have a young boy and a three-month-old baby at risk here. I believe that if we find one, we will find both. You will find that raising your voice and demanding action will get you nowhere. We’re working on every clue we have. If you have additional information that might lead us toward Mr. Trujillo, we will welcome an opportunity to follow up. We have people looking for Trujillo and the children all over the US and in Chile.”
Sharkey continued. “Now, tell me where you were again the night of the murder and the disappearance of the children. Your alibi could officially eliminate you as a suspect in the case.”
“I was at home. That’s where I got your call.”
“I called you the day after the murder. She had no ID. It took us a while to identify her as Susan Abbott and then locate you.” Sharkey looked into Abbott’s eyes. “Where were you the night of the murder?”
Abbott’s eyes looked away and he sighed. “I told you, I was home.”
“In Miami?”
“Yes. Damn it.”
“So, for my clarification, you were in Miami the night of the murder, last Friday night. Those are the facts of your statement?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, we have your alibi on the record,” Sharkey said. “You had said that you loaned Susan two hundred dollars until the end of the month.”
“That’s right.”
“When did you give the money to her?”
“I stopped by and gave her two hundred in cash. I also saw Tyler.”
“When was this?”
“Two weeks ago.”
“Two hundred dollars was enough to keep her wolves at bay?”
“I don’t know. It was what I had. I gave it to her for Tyler. That other kid is not my responsibility. Can’t you understand that?”
“No,” Sharkey said evenly. His eyes burned into Abbott’s. “All the people in my city are the same to me. You can leave now. I suggest that you calm down and let the police take care of this case.”
“Fine, I’ll find my boy myself. Let me out of here.”
Sharkey showed him out of the building and then called communications and requested the details of a trace on his call to Carl Abbott the night of the murder.
* * *
Carl sat in his hotel room at his computer. He looked up the local newspaper and went to the personal ads section. He started writing: “Looking for my son. He was taken from the Key West Sands Inn Motel four nights ago. I am willing to pay $10,000 for information that leads to his safe return. Carl Abbott, Hyatt Hotel.” He added his personal cell number and sent if off. He paid for the advertisement just as Stephanie tapped on the door.
“Come in,” he called, then realized he was at the hotel and had to open the door. He got up to open it for Stephanie.
“You look guilty. What are you up to?”
“I just put an inquire ad in the local paper.”
“You what?” she said. Her eyes were bulging.
“Calm down. It’s a long shot but I’m desperate.”
“No. You’re insane. You’re dealing with thieves and murderers and God only knows what other deviants, and you’re flashing cash at them and telling them, I’m stupid, come get my money. You fool.”
“Shut up,” he growled. “You got a better idea?”
“Let the police…”
“The police aren’t doing anything. It’s been five days. They keep telling us that after three days the
