Page 46 of Fatal Betrayal

"That would be helpful."

"I can't believe Kristine would be involved. Why would she be?" When Andi didn't answer right away, he turned to Cooper. "What do you think?"

"That people can be motivated to do things if the price is right. Does Kristine have family back home that she sends money to? Parents, siblings?"

"She did say her father died when she was young, and her mother raised her alone. I got the feeling they weren't close. Her mother didn't want her to move to the US. They haven't talked in a few years. I believe she was an only child. We paid her very well. She never asked for an advance on her paycheck or anything like that. She had free room and board here, so it was a great deal. It's not like she was desperate for cash or anything. And she lived a quiet life." He shook his head. "She's an obvious suspect. I understand that, but it doesn't make sense. It doesn't feel right."

"Well, I'd like to talk to her further, so I'd like you to call her and find out when she's coming back," Andi said.

Neil took out his phone and did as she requested, but Kristine didn't answer.

"Leave her a message to get in touch as soon as possible," she instructed.

"I'm sure she'll call me back," he said after he finished leaving the message. "She loves this job. She told me many, many times that she feels lucky to have found us. She adores children and being a nanny is the best thing she's ever done. I really don't want her to be involved in this. If I put my daughter's kidnapper in her bedroom, I don't think I can live with myself."

"One step at a time. We just want to talk to Kristine, to know more about her. We'll see where it goes from there."

He let out a heavy sigh. "I don't think I can stand not seeing Elisa for another day, much less another night."

"Hopefully, it won't come to that. I need to get to the press conference. I'll check in with you after that."

"Where's the conference at?" Cooper asked.

"The LA office."

"I'll see you there," he said.

She wasn't thrilled to hear that, but she was happy that he didn't want to go with her now. She needed to get ready for a multitude of questions that she wouldn't be able to answer, and she didn't need Cooper to distract her.

* * *

"Kristine didn't do this," Neil told Cooper. "Agent Hart is going down the wrong lane. It's more likely a stranger did this, someone from the construction company or something."

Cooper was a little surprised that Neil was so strong in his defense of Kristine. He'd only known her for four months. That wasn't a long time. And she had been the last one to see Elisa. Where was Neil's anger at the nanny? It seemed odd that he had heard none of that. After Neil's earlier confession about sleeping with Jillian, he really hoped that there was nothing going on between him and Kristine.

"How can you be so sure about Kristine?" he asked.

"Because I know her. She has a good heart. She's a kind person. She's not Hollywood. She's not materialistic and obsessed with fashion or style or social media. She's just a sweet, young woman. And she loved Elisa." He stopped abruptly. "God! I'm talking in past tense. I don't want to do that. Kristine loves Elisa, and she wouldn't hurt her."

"Do you know where she is right now?"

"I don't. But it's not like she's missing. She was around all day yesterday."

"Well, as soon as you hear from her, you need to make sure she comes back and talks to the FBI. Her absence creates a void that will fuel speculation. The best way for her to protect herself is to be completely forthcoming."

"I don't think she's done anything to the contrary. She answered every question that was asked of her. They're circling back to her because they don't have anyone else. It just frustrates me because I want them to find the person who did this so we can get our daughter back."

"And no one has reached out to you privately, right?"

A flash of anger ran through Neil's eyes. "No. I haven't talked to anyone. And I'm still considering whether I want to speak to the media, even though Agent Hart strongly advised against it."

He didn't think it was a good idea, either. Neil wasn't disciplined enough to follow a script, and who knew what he'd say or how he'd say it? "Just give the FBI some more time," he said. "Let's see how the press conference plays out. Maybe it will generate new leads." As he finished speaking, Claire came down the stairs, tears dripping from her eyes. It was difficult to believe she had any left.

"Claire," Neil said with concern. "What's wrong now?"

"They think I did it," she said. "The FBI. Agent Hart knows about my postpartum depression. Did you tell her?"

"Of course not. And you don't have that anymore," Neil said, giving Claire a hug.

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