To Love and to Kill by M. William Phelps Page B

Josh—who had been complaining about being tired and wanted to be put in a jail cell so he could sleep—to get his way.
    Josh continued to say he hadn’t done anything to Heather; he had no idea what the MCSO was talking about or where Heather was. He believed she took off. Josh was no rookie offender, some green street kid in the hard room for the first time. He understood the games cops played with suspects and witnesses. He knew how cops juggled information and played the “good cop/bad cop” scenario with multiple suspects at the same time. The fact that Emilia was in the next room and being questioned as though she’d had something to do with Heather’s disappearance told Josh he was dealing with a cop who had embarked on a fishing trip. So Josh decided he was going to play his cards close to the vest here. He would be careful with what he divulged, and would try to figure out what the MCSO knew.
    â€œYou taking us to the spot?” Buie asked. The question seemed random—out of nowhere. Implying that the MCSO had information leading them to a particular place where Heather might be. There was a certain feeling in how Buie spoke letting Josh know the MCSO might have found out that Heather was either buried on Emilia’s mother’s property or left dead inside that trailer. The MCSO was working on obtaining a search warrant as Buie and Josh spoke. However, Buie wanted Josh to commit to at least this one request before they could go any further.
    Josh was rattled by the suggestion. “I don’t even know if that’s where she’s at, man. I don’t know that’s where she’s at. I hope she’s not in the ground.”
    â€œAll I got to say, Josh, if somebody did this with you, you need to expose that person also. Don’t take this power rap by yourself.”
    Josh sighed. Then he rubbed his face, as if doing this would refresh him, maybe wake him up. Using his hands to articulate, he said, “I didn’t do it. I’m telling you, I didn’t do it. I mean, I know I lied to you, and you cannot trust me—”
    Buie interrupted: “I’m not saying I can’t trust you. I just don’t totally trust you.”
    â€œI ain’t got it in me, man. I really don’t. I know I’ve got a violent background, but I ain’t got it in me to kill my wife, man.”
    Buie wasn’t getting anywhere. That much was clear. When he realized Josh wasn’t yet ready to be honest and talk about whatever he was hiding (if anything), Buie asked Josh if he was willing to give up a DNA sample. Let’s start there. Extract some DNA in good faith and see where the investigation went. Buie didn’t explain why. He left it hanging again, suggesting that the MCSO had forensic evidence.
    â€œOkay,” Josh said.
    Buie got up and walked out of the room, letting Josh know he was going to get a DNA kit and the paperwork. He’d be right back.
    When he returned about twenty minutes later, Josh asked about Emilia and how she was doing. He came across as though he was generally concerned. Then: “How long before I get moved over to the jail?”
    â€œIt’s going to be a little bit. So if you need to relax, go ahead,” Buie encouraged.
    Josh said he was freezing “his ass” off inside the room. “Is [Emilia] okay over there?”
    Buie stuck his head inside the room where Emilia sat patiently.
    She was fine.
    Back with Josh, Buie said, “Uh-huh. Just went and checked on her. . . .”
    Josh wanted to know if Emilia was giving a DNA sample, too.
    Buie told him yes, she was—though they had yet to ask her.
    After Buie got his DNA sample, he left, telling Josh to hang tight, and he’d be back in a few.

CHAPTER 22
    DETECTIVE BUIE PUT on his Emilia Carr cap and walked back into the soft room, where Emilia was waiting. Emilia had been firm in her position, but also a bit standoffish and not so