Bill asked, Did you see her this morning before she was killed?
Sarah Dillon seemed more surprised than before.
No. Its been a couple of weeks or more since I last saw her. Why does that matter?
Riley exchanged glances with Bill and Jenn. She knew they were all thinking the same thing.
A couple of weeks or more?
Of course it mattered a great deal.
When Powell had said a witness had shown up, Riley had imagined someone who either knew the victim personally or had seen something truly material to the case the actual abduction, perhaps. Still, she knew that they needed to follow up on every possible lead. So far, they had nothing else to go on.
Riley said, Tell us about your interactions with the victim.
Sarah Dillon scratched her chin.
Well, Ive seen her around town. Occasionally, I mean. In stores, on the streets. Also at the train stations, both here and in Chicago. I take the train to Chicago every week or so, to see my sister and her family there. Ive seen her getting on or off the train, either here or in Chicago. Sometimes weve been in the same car together.
Sarah Dillons eyes darted about for a moment.
Then she asked in a near-whisper, Do you think Im in any danger right now?
The woman was striking Riley as less coherent by the moment. She didnt know how to answer her question. Why did the woman imagine she might be in danger? Did she have any good reason to worry at all?
Offhand, Riley doubted it. For one thing, shed gotten a good look at the corpse at the crime scene, and shed seen a photo online of the other victim. Both women were slight of build and dark-haired. Their faces were somewhat similar. If the killer was obsessed with a particular type of victim, this much more robust woman certainly didnt fit it.
Riley asked, What information do you have?
Sarah Dillon squinted.
Information? Well, maybe not information exactly. But a strong feeling really, really strong. Something was very wrong about that woman. Ive known it for a while now.
How so? Jenn asked.
Once, on the train up to Chicago, I tried to strike up a conversation with her. Just small talk, the weather, the kind of day Id had, my sister in Chicago and her family. She seemed friendly enough at first. But she started getting standoffish when I asked her about herself. I asked her, What do you do in Chicago? She said she went there to visit her mother, who was in a nursing home.
Sarah Dillon fingered her purse nervously.
Then I started asking questions about her mother what her health was like, how long shed been in a home, that kind of thing. She started getting defensive, and in a few minutes she didnt want to talk to me at all. She got out a book and pretended to read it, like I wasnt even there. Whenever Ive seen her on the train since then, she does the same thing acts like shes never met me. I just thought she was rude, standoffish. But now well, Im sure it was something else.
Like what? Jenn asked.
The woman let out a grunt of disapproval.
Well, youre the people in law enforcement. You tell me. But she was hiding something. Ill bet she was mixed up in something illegal. Something that got her killed. And now
She shivered all over.
Do you think Im in any danger? she asked again, peering nervously around the room.
Why would you think that? Bill asked.
Sarah Dillon looked like she could hardly believe the question.
Well, its obvious, isnt it? There were other people on that train. Lots of people. None of them are exactly friendly these days. And ever since I talked to her, Ive noticed some of them looking at me strangely. Any one of them might have been the killer. She didnt tell me what she was mixed up in, I dont know anything about it. But the killer doesnt know that. He might think she actually told me something something he doesnt want me to know.
Riley suppressed a sigh of impatience.
She said, I really doubt that youre in any danger, Ms. Dillon.
The fact was, Riley was quite sure of it. The woman was paranoid, pure and simple.
But you dont know that, the woman said, her voice growing more shrill. You cant know for sure. And Ive got such a terrible feeling. Youve got to do something. Youve got to protect me.
Chief Powell got up and patted her gently on the shoulder.
You wait here for just a moment, maam, he said. Ill be right back.
The woman nodded, then sat silently. She looked as if she were on the verge of tears.
The police chief quickly returned with a uniformed policeman.
He said to the woman, This is Officer Ring. Hell watch after you for a while. Right now, you should just go home. Officer Ring will make sure you get there safely.
The woman let out a gasp of relief. She got up from her chair and left the room with the policeman, gazing happily up at him as he held the door for her.
Bill shook his head and said to Chief Powell, What are you going to do? Give her round-the-clock protection? Because thats just going to be a waste of time and resources.
Powell chuckled slightly.
Dont worry, he said. Landry Ring has got a calming effect on people. Hes almost uncanny that way. Thats why I picked him to take her home. By the time they get there, Ill bet Landry will have her convinced that shes in no danger at all.
Jenn was frowning.
That sure was a waste of time, she said.
Maybe, Riley thought.
But she had a nagging gut feeling about what the witness had just said
Something was very wrong about that woman.
and
She was hiding something.
Riley sensed that Sarah Dillon might not be altogether wrong.
She asked Powell and Cullen, Did Reese Fisher have any family members living here in Barnwell?
Powell said, Just her husband, Chase. A local chiropractor.
And has he been interviewed?
Of course, Bull Cullen said. Chief Powell here and I both talked to him. Hes got a clean alibi he was in his office this morning when it happened.
I want to talk to him again, Riley said.
Cullen and Powell glanced at each other with surprise.
Powell said, Im not sure what good that will do. Hes pretty shaken up about all this.
Riley wasnt sure what she expected to find out. But if Reese Fisher was harboring some sort of secret, her husband might be able to tell them what it was.
I want to see him, Riley insisted. Right now.
CHAPTER NINE
The railroads deputy police chief looked thoroughly annoyed by Rileys request to re-interview Reese Fishers husband. But Riley was in no mood to back down.
Bull Cullen said, When I asked you FBI guys to come out here, I didnt expect you to waste my time.
Feeling her temper escalate, Riley pressed her lips together to prevent snapping back at the man. She heard Bill let out a low grumble beside her.
Before Riley could think of a civil response, Jenn spoke up. The young agent sounded just as condescending and patronizing as Cullen had been toward her back at the crime scene.
Oh, we wont interfere with your excellent work, sir. Just give us a car and well go see Mr. Fisher on our own. Well get out of your way for a while. You and your team can keep right on doing the really important stuff. You might start by booking a comfortable place for those three men back in the interview room to stay the night.