A Deadly Influence (Abby Mullen Thrillers #1)(70)

Charlie shook his head. “Everyone loves Karl.”

“Maybe someone outside the farm?”

Another glance at Otis. “He has no contacts outside the farm.”

“How about people who lived here and left?”

Charlie let out a snort. “That would be impossible.”

“Why?”

“Because they’re dead.”

Out of the corner of her eye, Abby noticed Otis tense. She frowned. “What, all of them?”

“Yeah,” Charlie said. “Only five people left since Karl got here. And God—” At that point he glanced at Otis, and his mouth snapped shut.

“What happened to those five people?”

“I don’t know,” Charlie said. “We never heard from them again.”

“You said they’re dead.”

“It’s a figure of speech.”

“A pretty dark figure of speech,” Abby said. “Don’t you think?”

She noticed Wong tense. The detective was probably wondering if Otis would really go that far—killing anyone who threatened to leave the cult. Abby seriously doubted it. But she was sure that he’d told the remaining members that the deserters had died. What better way to discourage future deserters?

But this reinforced what Wong had said earlier. Abby wouldn’t get the names of any former cult members here. She would have to find her informer within the cult. Charlie was definitely out of the question. The man could hardly say hello without checking to verify that Otis approved.

“Lieutenant Mullen,” Otis snapped. “Charlie testified to seeing Karl in every one of the instances you mentioned. Would that be enough?”

“Sorry, I got carried away.” Abby let out an embarrassed laugh. “Sure, thank you, Charlie, you can go.”

Charlie shot out from the chair as if from a cannon and hurried out of the room.

“Well, that’s a pretty positive statement,” Abby said. “Who do we talk to next?”

“Why are you harassing my people?” Otis asked, jaw clenched.

“Harassing them?” Abby asked. “I just asked a few questions.”

“Asking them about the menu in the dining room and about their theories about your witness.”

“I’m sorry,” Abby said. “I need those statements to hold up in court. I can’t just ask about the dates, and that’s it. I need to get some details to make sure there are no mistakes. After all, like Charlie said, everyone loved Karl. They might convince themselves that they saw him just because they want it. I need to verify that’s not the case. But feel free to tell me if you think I’m stepping out of line. Trust me, I don’t want another angry phone call from the NYPD chief. One was enough.”

Otis hesitated, then nodded.

“Who’s next?” Abby asked.

“I think we’ll call Aaron next,” Otis said. He seemed more at ease now. “Aaron and Karl often work the apple orchard together.”

Aaron was a large man, his eyelids slightly droopy as if he were on the verge of falling asleep. He was tight-lipped and angry, answering mostly in short four-or five-word sentences. He also glanced at Otis every single time before answering. And of course, Karl’s alibi was affirmed by him as well.

“Can you think of anyone who would wish Karl harm, maybe someone who lived here and left?”

“Only five people left, and we never heard from any of them again.” After responding, Aaron automatically glanced at Otis for assurance. Otis smiled at him. The answer had come so fast that Aaron could just as well have been reading it. Charlie had obviously briefed him before he walked inside.

Abby veered, asking, “What do you do in your free time?”

“We study the scripture.”

“Don’t you have Netflix? Books?”

“Don’t need them.”

“I gotta have my Netflix binge on the weekend.” Abby sighed. “Did you ever binge?”

Aaron seemed confused. “Sure. Before I found my calling.”

“What did you watch?”

“Comedies, I guess. Some action series.”

“Which one was your favorite?”

Aaron froze, a panicky look in his eyes. Abby waited patiently.

“Didn’t you tell me you liked Stranger Things?” Otis asked.

“Right.” Aaron exhaled. “Stranger Things was good.”

“Oh, I love that show! Did you watch the third season?”

“No. I joined the farm after the first season. We don’t have Netflix here.”

“Don’t you miss it?”

Aaron rolled his eyes. “I’m blameless and upright.”

“Yes,” Abby said. “I suppose you are.”

Aaron and Otis exchanged bemused glances.

Finally, Abby told Aaron she had enough, and he left.

“I just need a few more interviews like that, and I’m all set,” Abby said.

“Okay.” Otis smiled thinly. “Give me a minute to call the next one.”

He left them alone in the room. Abby and Wong exchanged looks, saying nothing. Abby had almost no doubt that Otis had left them there alone hoping they’d talk. Either someone was listening in, or he was recording them.