131 Acting on Impulses (1/2)

”I left her house immediately,” he stuttered this time.

”You are a smart man. You are world-renowned. So, you have to understand how the technology works. How you think we knew where exactly you went or the searches you made on the internet?”

Only the sound of the air-conditioner could be heard.

”How do you think I knew you didn't get out of the house within minutes? You were there for a long time… a very long time…” Pause. ”We know you didn't get out of the house. You need to be honest with us. You can do that. You can do that right now.”

”I—I—”

It was getting too much for him, so I had to interject.

”I understand if you have intrusive thoughts. I understand if you were depressed. I also understand that you had a drinking and drug problem. I know that you might have had some sadistic thoughts and wanted to know what it felt like to act out on your fantasies of violence. I know that temptation is out there. But I need to find out the truth.”

He looked at the desk, his eyes red now.

”Your wife left you and filed a restraining order. She didn't allow you to see your son. She even planned on going out with someone new and vacationing with people. So, you went to meet her. She was vulnerable… so tell me the truth.”

”I think I have told you—” McCain gulped.

”Okay, did she go back into the bedroom after telling you to leave?” I asked.

”No.”

”Did you follow her in?”

”No.”

”Why not?” Nash asked, sounding interested. ”Was it because of the neighborhood you were in? That you would get reported if there was too much sound?”

”I don't know what you are talking about,” he said gruffly.

”Did she run away from you?” Nash asked immediately.

”No! She just stood there as I left, looking at her phone and smiling.”

I frowned.

”But didn't you say she looked distressed?” I asked innocently. McCain's eyes turned sharply towards me.

”I left. That is what it is.”

”Are you sure you left right away and not a little later? Are you sure you didn't try to talk her out of the trip or taking you back?” Nash pressed.

”I don't remember much but I wasn't there for long. I don't know crazy specifics like that… I don't know.”

Nash and I exchanged a look.

”So, you're telling me that your fingerprints will not be on the murder weapon?” Nash said curiously. I bit my lip to hide my smile.

”Why? Will there be something on it that will reflect poorly on your?” Nash asked with a small smile.

”Of course, not!” he said immediately, but his eyes flitted towards me, asking for my understanding. He could see that he was slowly losing Nash from his narrative, so I was his only reprieve. He licked his lips in a soothing gesture and glanced back towards Nash.

”Will your fingerprints me on the phone or not, Mr. McCain?” Nash pressed.

”I have no idea! I didn't even know that the murder weapon was missing,” he commented swiftly.

”Then why did you ask if we found it or not?” Nash tilted his head curiously.

I leaned against the wall and silently watched the two converse. The intense exchange was perfect. I had no need to jump in right at that moment. If I sensed him closing up, I would help divert the topic. So far, we had already gotten a lot of information from him. Now, we needed the confession.

”I don't know the answer to your questions…”

Nash scooted back his chair, knowing he had hit a roadblock. It was time for me to jump in and make sure he kept talking.

”There are certain questions I know the answer to and there are some I don't know the answer to. The questions I am asking you, I know the answers of. Therefore, I know when you are not being truthful with me.” I spoke slowly. ”This is part of the reason why we keep asking you these questions. Help us solve the mystery. I appreciate you being honest about going to her house. That tells me you are telling me the truth because I know the answer to that. I want to bring peace to her family.” I paused. ”What happened to her in that house? I know you went in and you had an argument. Things went sideways… tell me what happened.”

”That's what happened!” he exclaimed.

Nash jumped in. ”Were you angry at her at all? For betraying you? For leaving you?” The words were asked calmly. But the insinuation was evident in his voice.