A Deadly Influence (Abby Mullen Thrillers #1)(50)

Ironically, the only man who probably wasn’t a fanatic, and who might agree to compromise, was Otis Tillman, the cult leader who’d radicalized everyone else. It was in his best interest to maintain the status quo, to avoid bloodshed.

Unless he’d bought into his own bullshit. If that was the case, this would get very ugly very fast.

“Lieutenant Mullen,” Otis said. “Mr. Adkins here updated me with some upsetting news.”

Mr. Adkins. Karlad345 was Karl Adkins.

“You can call me Abby.” She halted a few feet from Otis and Adkins.

“David’s child has been kidnapped.” Otis looked shaken up, but it was impossible to say if it was an act or not. Adkins’s face was completely impassive, but Abby noticed the reactions of the people around her. Eyes widening. Shocked whispers. As she’d surmised, the majority of the cult didn’t know about Nathan. But Adkins did.

Did he know because he’d seen Gabrielle’s Instagram story? Or because he’d kidnapped Nathan himself?

“That’s right,” Abby said. “Detective Carver and I are investigating Nathan’s kidnapping. And we were wondering if Karl would mind coming with us to answer a few questions.” She intentionally called Adkins by his first name, which Otis hadn’t used, to verify that she’d gotten it right.

“He can talk to you here.” Otis folded his arms. “There’s no need to go anywhere.”

“That’s not a bad idea,” Abby said. “In fact, we would appreciate talking to everyone here. Someone might have information that could help us.”

“Absolutely. After the Sunday meal—”

“I’m sorry, I’m afraid we can’t wait that long. When a child is missing, every minute counts.”

Otis’s body tensed. “Eden and her children haven’t lived here for seven years. I don’t want you to waste your time.”

“It won’t be a waste of time,” Abby reassured him, smiling placidly. “Eden and her children lived in this community for over a decade. I’m sure people here know her well. Perhaps some have stayed in contact.”

“They haven’t,” Otis blurted.

Abby frowned, acting surprised. “They haven’t?”

Of course they hadn’t. The deadliest thing to a cult was its ex-members. People who left realized that almost everything they’d been told was a lie. The world didn’t end if you left the cult. Not everyone was out to get them. Life outside still had meaning. In fact, life outside could be better.

So the first thing almost every cult did when its members left was to sever all connections and demonize the people who’d left. Painting them as selfish traitors, as collaborators with the enemy. That way the cult leader made sure no one would be influenced by them, and it also made it harder for additional members to leave.

“As far as I know, Eden disappeared completely,” Otis amended his statement. “Perhaps David told you—we tried to search for her but had no luck.”

Abby stared at him quizzically. “But Eden said . . .” She froze and then shook her head. “No. Of course, you’re right. You know your community best.”

Abby was certain Otis Tillman was a world-class actor. There was no inkling of distress in his body language or face. But she knew she’d struck home. She’d threatened to talk to his entire community before he had time to control the narrative. And she’d just hinted that someone in the community was talking to an ex-member. Which could only mean his control was slipping. Otis would feel the need to propose an alternative, which would make it seem as if he were in complete control.

“You can talk to Karl in our cabin in the presence of our attorney,” Otis said. “I’ll start the Sunday meal, and as soon as you finish talking to him, you can interview the rest of our members.”

“I’m sorry,” Abby said apologetically. “I have witnesses that identified a man who matched Karl’s description at the crime scene. How can I rule him out as a suspect if I talk to him here?”

“When did they see him?”

“A few times in the past month.”

“He was here the entire time.”

Abby glanced at the pickup truck Karl had ridden in. “The entire time?”

“I’m sure we can get to the bottom of this—”

“This seems like a very tight-knit community. I’m sure you want to do everything you can to rule Karl out as a suspect. And to help us get David’s child back to his mother, of course.”

She waited for the cogs in Otis’s mind to turn, and glanced at Karl apologetically, as if she were sorry she was dragging him into this mess. He ignored her, looking only at Otis. Abby had almost no doubt this man would kidnap a child or, in fact, kill a child if Otis told him to.

Otis glanced at Karl, and Abby could imagine him deciding to cut him loose. He would find a way to contextualize it, make it easier for his people to swallow. He wouldn’t let them arrest Karl in front of all these people.

“So you want to take him for your lineup?” Otis asked. “To verify he isn’t your guy?”

Just a quick lineup and he’d be back for dinner. No questioning, no interrogation by the enemy. Abby’s eyes flickered over the faces around her to see how they were taking it. A few angry frowns but no threatening gestures.