Page 14 of Fatal Betrayal

"I came to see you," he said, as Andi followed him down the hall. "This is Agent Hart."

"Where are you going, Ms. Markham?" Andi asked as the elevator doors opened.

"I have a meeting out of the office," Jillian said, as she jumped into the elevator. He moved fast enough to prevent the doors from closing. Then he and Andi stepped into the elevator with her. The doors had barely closed when Andi hit the emergency stop button, and the elevator jolted to a stop.

Jillian stumbled forward, bracing her hand against the wall, giving them both a shocked, scared look.

"Why did you do that?" she asked breathlessly.

"We need to talk to you," Andi replied in a hard voice. "The receptionist told you that, didn't she?"

"I'm sorry. I don't have time."

"Well, you'll make the time. A child's life depends on that."

Jillian's eyebrows shot up. "What—what are you talking about?"

"Elisa Benedict, the six-month-old daughter of Neil and Claire Benedict, was kidnapped this morning from her crib, and your car was on his block at around that time," Andi said.

"I—I don't know anything about that," Jillian said, shock in her voice.

He gave her a thoughtful look, measuring her reactions, weighing her sincerity. He'd spent the last ten years talking to criminals, which made him very aware that some people could lie convincingly, and others would capitulate as soon as it appeared they were going to get caught. He didn't know yet which category Jillian fell into.

"Why were you in that neighborhood?" Andi pressed.

Jillian licked her lips. Another nervous gesture. She seemed stunned by what she was being accused of, but also guilty of something.

"I was visiting a friend."

"On Neil's street?" he challenged. "What is the name of your friend?"

"Uh. Do I have to say?"

"Yes," Andi replied. "We need to find Elisa. Every second counts. If you know anything or saw someone, you need to tell me right now."

Jillian's gaze swung to him. "I don't know anything. I didn't see anything."

"Are you sure?" he challenged. "You drove right by Neil's house. Maybe there was a car out front, maybe someone walking nearby."

"I don't know. I wasn't paying attention. I was just driving, listening to music. I wasn't looking at his house or his neighborhood. I'm sorry. I swear I know nothing about Elisa getting kidnapped. I can't believe that happened. She's a sweet little baby. Neil and Claire must be devastated."

"They are," he said.

"We know you had a problem with Mr. Benedict," Andi told Jillian.

"My problem was with his partner, with Larry," Jillian corrected. "But I have a new job now, and I want to keep it. That's why I didn't want to speak to you in the office. I don't want them to think I'm in trouble. I wish I could help you, but I can't. I need to get to my meeting."

The phone in the elevator suddenly rang. Apparently, someone in the building had noticed that the elevator had stopped.

Andi restarted the elevator. "What is the name of the friend you were visiting, Ms. Markham?"

"I don't want to talk to you," Jillian said. "I don't have to, do I? You're not arresting me or anything, are you?"

Andi gave Jillian a hard stare. "I can take you down to my office. I can make sure your new employer knows of my interest in you. I would suggest you cooperate."

The elevator hit the lobby floor, and the doors opened. They stepped out as a throng of people moved into the elevator. He thought Jillian might make a mad dash for the front door of the building, but she just moved to the side of the lobby, away from people getting on and off the elevators.

"Okay. I wasn't in the neighborhood to see Neil," Jillian said. "Larry Friedman's ex-wife, Michelle, lives three blocks from Neil. I went to see her, to ask her if she knew of any other women who had been harassed by her husband, because I knew I wasn't the first one. I also knew that Michelle had accused Larry of infidelity in her divorce papers."

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