Page 77 of Unexpected Danger
He would comfort her for as long as she needed.
Chapter 21
Renee Corker slouched at the table in the conference room four hours after Brodie rescued Londyn and delivered her to the ranch. He’d visited the kidnapping site and had located Londyn’s gun and returned it to her. Then he’d driven into town after he and Huang took Londyn’s statement. Dwyer stepped in and traded places with Huang at the ranch.
He flipped the on switch of the video recorder and grabbed a notepad, pen, and a bottle of water. Irritation seeped through him and settled in his throat. He probably shouldn’t be the one questioning Renee, and he was grateful his undersheriff, Deputy Huang, was there to assist.
Brodie had numerous questions to ask Renee Corker about the kidnapping and confining Londyn, not to mention questions about the horse theft and his suspicions of animal cruelty. He was still awaiting the emergency search warrant.
Corker had already been Mirandized, and Brodie added, “Just to let you know, this will be recorded.”
“Yes. All right. Sure, that’s fine.” Corker chewed on a dirty fingernail. “I know I shouldn’t have taken that horse, but I found it wandering around all by itself, and I was worried it was hungry and thirsty. I’m just that kind of person. Really concerned about animals, you know?”
They’d discuss the theft later. “The horse is in the process of being returned. I want to talk to you about keeping Ms. Siegler hostage in your house.”
“Hostage? She wasn’t a hostage.” Corker reached up and twirled a piece of matted red hair around her finger. “I don’t know why you’re calling her a hostage.”
Brodie slammed his hand on the table. “I’m calling her a hostage because you restrained her at your house and wouldn’t let her go.”
Huang gripped Brodie’s shoulder. “Sheriff, could you step outside with me for a minute?”
Brodie reluctantly followed Huang out onto the hall. He knew he’d been out of line for losing his temper that way, especially so early in the interrogation, but the thought of what could have happened to Londyn, not necessarily by Renee Corker’s hand, but by Haack, infuriated him.
“Look, man, I know this is personal for you, but if you can’t separate yourself from the case, you’re not going to be able to be in there.”
While Brodie was Huang’s superior, he was also Huang’s coworker and friend, and Brodie valued and respected him. “Sorry. I just—I thought of what could have happened to Londyn and then knowing she was kidnapped, bound, and held there against her will with all those animals, and she’s allergic to cats and this woman…”
“I know. I get it. I do. But let’s go back in there and get some answers. If you want, I can lead the questioning. Ms. Corker isflighty, and I don’t think she’s going to be forthcoming if we don’t handle this in a certain manner.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry.”
“No worries. You all right?”
“I’m good.”
They again entered the room, and this time, Corker was leaning back in her chair. “How long do I have to stay here?”
“Until we’re done, ma’am,” said Huang.
Brodie stroked his chin, noting the need to shave. “Is Dustin Haack your boyfriend?”
“Dustin Haack? I don’t know who he is. My boyfriend’s name is Dustin, but his last name isn’t Haack. It’s Cays.”
Brodie scribbled the alias on his notepad. Made sense that Haack lied to some of his pawns about his real name.
Renee Corker, who had suddenly decided to become a voracious conversationalist, continued. “And he’s really not even my boyfriend. He’s my fiancé because we’re going to be getting married soon.” Corker folded her arms across her chest and jutted her chin. “That is why I can’t go to jail because of that horse. I did take care of it when it was at my house. I fed and watered it, and gave it a yard to play in.”
He thought of the other animals he suspected were behind the doors of that house. The warrant couldn’t come soon enough.
“Tell me how Ms. Siegler came to be at your house.”
“She helped me with a bill I had when I hurt my back. I appreciated all her help.”
Huang jumped in and asked the next question. “So you knew Ms. Siegler—Londyn—from the billing office?”
“Yes.”
“When did you invite her to your house?” asked Brodie.
