Page 47 of The Pretender

“Did they date?” Harris asked at the same time.

“Tabitha didn’t really date anyone in the sense of going out to movies and such. Craig spent a lot of time here.” Ted shook his head and looked around, as if he were uncomfortable talking about any of this. “He was devastated when she was killed. We all were, but his reaction seemed even more, I don’t know, personal?”

“Did you talk with him about Tabitha and how he felt about her?” Damon asked.

“Not really.” Ted shrugged. “I mean, come on.”

Harris didn’t remember anything about Craig in Wren’s reports except for a few lines. That likely meant the police overlooked him, which could mean an opening. “Was he here that day?”

“I don’t think so. Who knows?” Ted shook his head. “I’m probably not the one to ask since I wasn’t either.”

“Let’s try it this way. Did anyone else know about Tabitha and Craig’s relationship?” Because Gabby hadn’t mentioned it and there was nothing about that in the police report, and there would have been because “the boyfriend” always became a person of interest.

“You’re blowing this up bigger than it probably was.” Ted looked from Harris to Damon. “He had a crush. I think she reciprocated it.” When no one said anything, Ted started talking again. “Look, she was beautiful, like Gabby. She had a life. It was just a very structured one. People assume she was agoraphobic but she wasn’t.”

Harris looked at Damon. “He means a fear of leaving the house.”

“I read,” Damon said without breaking eye contact with Ted.

“My dad blames her parents. After what happened with Gabby... well, they suffocated Tabitha. Armed guards, no friends, schooled her at home with tutors. She was young and it had an impact.”

“Do you believe Gabby arranged for her own kidnapping?” Harris asked, dreading the answer.

“Hell, no.” Ted made a face like he couldn’t believe Harris even asked. “Guys, you are looking in the wrong direction. Craig and Gabby? They both loved Tabitha. We all loved Tabitha. She was really lovable. No, this was a random thing or someone in her online group.”

And there it was. The mention of that group again. A piece of the puzzle that had taken on much more significance over the last few days.

“What do you know about the group?” Harris asked because he had to.

Ted shrugged. “Nothing, really. She talked about the cases and showed me posts. That sort of thing.”

“Lots of dangerous people in the internet.” Damon finally stepped back from the end of Ted’s chair. “Craig probably drives some of those people around.”

“He didn’t bring a killer here, wait for him to stab her then ride back to Baltimore with him.” Ted swore under his breath. His expression said he was done. “Is there anything else?”

Damon shook his head. “No.”

Mimicking his father, Ted got up and picked up the tools he’d been using. He brushed by Damon and left the patio. More like stormed. His feet fell in heavy, loud steps as he dragged the pool skimmer behind him.

Harris stood next to Damon and watched Ted go. “There seems to be a lot of support for this online forum idea.”

“Wren is compiling all the records right now.”

Of course he was. “I’m guessing he didn’t get a search warrant to collect all the internet data.”

Damon’s eyebrow lifted as he looked over at Harris. “Do you get one when you break into people’s homes?”

Since there was no way to win that argument, Harris skipped it. “So, tomorrow we go through video and paperwork.”

“That is the plan.”

Necessary work. Harris got that. But the idea of poring over files and chat forum transcripts made his eyes cross. “Boring.”

Damon smiled. “Do you want me to find a vase for you to steal instead?”

“Maybe.”

Damon patted Harris on the shoulder. “Go find Gabby.”

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