Andrea Kane - The Girl Who Disappeared Twice

Casey continued to speak in a calm, reassuring tone. “Ashley, my questions aren’t meant to hurt the Willises. They seem like lovely people. I just want to find Krissy. I’m not interested in uncovering any family skeletons. Those are none of my business. But family arguments can lead to outside confidences. And outside confidences can lead to angry, bitter friends. You practically live here. So I’m asking you if there are any internal or external conflicts you know about.”

That calmed Ashley down. “No, none.”

“Okay.” Casey switched gears. “I understand you were here at the house all day today, and that there were no visitors,”

The swift change in subject caught Ashley by surprise. “That’s right.”

“Do you keep the burglar alarm on?”

“Not during the day. But I do keep the doors locked. I’d know if someone broke in. Plus, I would have heard them.”

“True,” Casey agreed. She pursed her lips. “What about the mail?”

“What about it?”

“I noticed the mailbox is at the foot of the driveway, which is winding and long. Did you bring in the mail today?”

“Yes,” Ashley admitted. “I already told that to the police. And, yes, the door was unlocked during that time. But I was only gone for two, maybe three, minutes. So if you’re wondering if someone could have slipped in and out of the house, I doubt it. Is it possible? I suppose so. I’d like to think I would have spotted them. Not to mention how unlikely it is that they’d have had time to go upstairs, take Oreo, and leave-not to mention knowing the layout of the house, where Krissy’s room is-”

“Unless someone drew them a diagram,” Casey interrupted quietly.

“Who would-” Ashley broke off, her eyes widening as she realized where Casey was going with this. “Do you mean me? You think I’m part of this kidnapping?”

“I don’t know what to think.” An offhand shrug. “I can see how much you care about Krissy, and how torn up you are by what’s happened. But you were the only person here all day. So you could be lying, or you could be involved on some level-maybe as an accomplice.”

The shock that registered on Ashley’s face was unmistakable. “An accomplice to who? My God, I’d never, ever hurt Krissy. I’d never take her from her family. I’d never put her through this.”

“After everything you’ve said, I believe you.” Casey softened her expression-and her tone. “But I had to ask. Especially because of Frank.”

“Frank?” Again, Ashley was on the defensive. “What about him?”

“The Willises tell me that your boyfriend is kind of a drifter, and that he’s far from rolling in cash. And you’re in grad school. You have tuition and textbooks to pay for. The Willises are rich. It occurred to me that Frank might have pressured you into doing something you’d never ordinarily do, and convince you it was harmless. He’d make sure Krissy never knew who took her. You’d make sure he never hurt her. He’d just keep her long enough to get a huge payment from the Willises, then get her back to them. You’d both be rich. And no one would be any the wiser.”

“And Krissy would be scarred for life.” Ashley was trembling. “I’d never, ever be part of such a sick scheme. Not for a million dollars.”

“Would Frank?”

“Absolutely not. Frank’s not exactly a go-getter, but he’s not a thief. And he’d never kidnap a child.”

“It’s not a great theory,” Casey murmured. “Considering there’s been no ransom call-yet. But I had to ask. Not so much about you, but about Frank. That was him you were just arguing with on the phone, right?”

“Yes.”

“Was it about Krissy?”

“Yes…no…I mean, it was about Krissy, but not in the way you mean.” An uneasy pause. “He’s upset about how much time I’m spending here. I know that sounds horrible. But he’s a guy. He feels bad about Krissy, but he’s had enough. He’s been questioned by the police. He’s listened to my hysteria all afternoon. And now he’s dealing with my saying I’m not leaving this house until Krissy comes home safely. He’s not a bad guy. He’s just impatient and pissed off.”

“Sounds like most guys,” Casey said with a smile.

“I know.” Ashley was clearly relieved by Casey’s reaction.

“So you and Frank are tight?”

“Pretty much. We’ve been together for a year.” Ashley opened her bottle of water and took a gulp. “I don’t see us walking down the aisle or anything. But, like I said, he’s a good guy.”

“He just wishes you’d spend more time with him.”

“Yes.” Another swig of water. “And I wish he’d work a little harder. Want to be a little more. I doubt that’s in the cards.”

Casey gave an understanding nod. “Ambition’s one of those qualities you’re either born with or you’re not.”

“Exactly.” Ashley shifted on her chair. “If there’s nothing else, I’d really like to get back inside. Maybe the FBI’s heard something.”

The concern, the worry, the freaked-out look in Ashley’s eyes-all that was real.

“You really love Krissy a lot,” Casey said.

“You can’t imagine.” Ashley rolled the bottle of water between her palms. “Corny as it sounds, I feel like a second mother to her. Like you said, I’ve helped Judge Willis raise her since she was born, and because of the Willises’ long hours, I spend tons of time with her. And she really is the best kid in the world. Cheerful. Smart. She’s only in kindergarten, but she’s got a second grade reading level. She adds and subtracts faster than I do. And you should see what a whiz she is on the computer. She spends hours on Club Penguin. She chats on it. She colors pictures on it…she’s awesome. And her penguin avatar is super cool.”

“I’m sure it is.” Casey rose. “I think we’ve covered everything. Let’s go inside for an update. Oh, and Ashley…” she added as the younger woman stood up. “Krissy’s lucky to have you in her life. You’re a wonderful nanny.”

“Thank you.” Ashley gave a wan smile. “Now if I could only bring her home.”

The debriefing session was breaking up when Casey walked into the house. The first thing she did was to seek out Special Agent Peg Harrington.

“Hi, Peg.”

“Casey.” The trim, forty-two-year-old woman with the short dark hair and intense expression greeted her. “Don told me the Willises had hired you. I don’t need to tell you the rules.”

“No, you don’t. This is your case. My team and I are here to help my clients, and to support you in any way we can. All I need to know is how you’re laying out the chain of command.”

Peg cleared her throat. “Mr. Willis would prefer that the leadership came from the New York Field Office. So I’ll be heading things up, with Ken Barkley as my co-case agent. But the White Plains RA’s Task Force and the North Castle Police Department have good people on board, as well. And, of course, you saw the CARD team arrive. Plus, two agents from BAU-3 should be here in an hour,” she added, referring to the division of the Behavioral Analysis Unit that dealt with crimes against children. “We’re leaving no stone unturned.”

Casey nodded. “Anything from the crime scene yet?”

“No. The entire school staff is being interviewed, particularly those who witnessed the incident, and the car-pool mom who had a bird’s-eye view. So far, we’ve come up empty. The Willises are about to release a statement to the media, and issue a plea on TV. We’re setting up a tip line for anyone with a potential lead to call in-anyone who might have spotted a silver GMC Acadia with a child inside and the letters ‘X’ and ‘M’ in the license plate.”