Page 32 of The Girls in the Snow

“I’m sorry to sound crass. No one should have to endure something like that. You were a traumatized kid who recounted the events as she remembered,” Catlin said. “But the revelation that you were under the influence changes things.”

“Hardin did a sobriety test. Are you the one who talked to the press?”

Caitlin shook her head. “Believe me, if I’d known, I would have come straight to you. You’re saying you weren’t intoxicated?”

“No comment.”

“Mark had a reason to be at your house that night, but the police never wanted to listen.”

“That’s on them, not me.”

“The new DNA evidence is going to prove Mark’s innocence. The police screwed this up from the start.”

“Does the Todd family know you’re doing this?”

“His parents are all for it. They want their son’s story heard.”

“What about Rory?”

“He’ll come around. I’m on their side.”

Engaging with this woman was stupid. Shortly after the Innocence Project took Mark’s case, Caitlin had approached Nikki for her side of the story. Nikki had been able to blow her off more than once, but with all this new evidence now coming to light, she was worried she’d have to speak out.

“Do you know how many times Mark changed his story?” Nikki asked Caitlin. Mark had originally told sheriff’s deputies that he’d come to talk to Nikki, that he’d seen that the front door was busted and entered the property to check up on them. When he finally admitted to being inside the house, Mark claimed that he’d accidentally stepped in her mother’s blood and the tracks were made after he discovered the bodies and went downstairs to use the phone. He said he’d been outside waiting to talk to Nikki, that he’d heard gunshots and run into the dark house, but he also said that he’d found Nikki’s mother dead, checked her pulse, gone downstairs to call for help and been hit from behind. He said he’d woken up with the pistol in his hand and Nikki walking around upstairs.

“Did you know he talked to the police for hours without any representation?”

“He was a legal adult. He probably waived his rights.”

“There’s no evidence he did that. The security cameras in the interview room didn’t record audio. Look, you’re a decorated FBI agent,” Caitlin said. “Have you gone over this investigation with a trained eye? When was the last time you looked at the files? Or the crime scene photos?”

The cops had told Nikki they may never have caught Mark if she hadn’t come home. Her version of events remained consistent, while Mark had changed his story. His prints had been on the gun, her mother’s blood on his clothes…

“No need. I got to see the real horror, up close and personal.”

“You’ve already seen the protestors. Yard signs are popping up around town, too. People are starting to believe Mark. And they want to hear from you, especially now.”

“Too bad. I have nothing to say.”

“Agent Hunt.” Caitlin stepped in front of her, blocking Nikki’s path to the front entrance. “You need to cooperate with me. I can tell your story so that you remain a victim. You were a traumatized kid. It’s the police who really screwed up here.”

“Cooperate with you?”

Caitlin nodded. “That DNA is going to exonerate him. He’ll be released within months and selling his story for millions. Not to mention he’ll have a solid lawsuit against Washington County and maybe even you. Talking to me now is going make you a lot more likable in the long run.”

Nikki closed the distance between them. “Let me make this clear, Ms. Newport. And you can consider the following a formal statement since I’m sure your phone is recording our conversation. Mark Todd’s appeal will be decided in the courts. My team and I are in Stillwater to find out who kidnapped and murdered two teenaged girls. While I understand and respect the public’s right to protest, I’m asking the media, which includes you, to stop asking for interviews regarding the appeal. We are already months behind this perpetrator, and I believe we have a very short window to catch him. We have to assume this could be a serial predator who could be looking for new victims. Please allow me to focus on Madison and Kaylee so we can bring this person to justice before he hurts anyone else.”

“Of course the murders have to be your priority,” Caitlin replied. “But don’t forget that giving your side of the story is the only thing that will stop people from getting in your way.”

“My side of the story has already been documented in court. If you continue to follow me around and bug me about Mark Todd’s appeal, I’ll charge you with harassment.”

“We both know that won’t stick. You’re fighting the wrong person here.”

“Do not follow me inside this building,” Nikki snapped.

“It’s a public building.”

“And I’m a government agent you’re harassing. Back off.”

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