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Chapter 65: It Is Difficult to Comment
Theodore and Bernie conducted Cynthia Moore's second interrogation in Homicide Team Interview Room 1.
After Theodore informed her that Paul Anderson had kidnapped Donald Moore, she revealed everything.
Two years earlier, she had been desperately anxious about funding David Moore's debridement surgery.
The bank had deemed them unable to repay and rejected their loan application outright.
Her colleague, Paul Anderson, had helped her secure financing by acting as guarantor for someone named Johnson.
One evening, Paul Anderson had gotten drunk and confessed his feelings for her, claiming he didn't mind that she was married and suggesting they could maintain their relationship as it was.
She had reluctantly agreed.
Their affair had continued until this year, when David Moore had suddenly transformed back into a loving husband.
This change had filled her with overwhelming guilt, prompting her to proactively end all contact with Paul Anderson.
When Theodore asked whether David Moore had known about her relationship with Paul Anderson, Cynthia fell silent for a long moment before recalling:
"One night he told me to find a healthy man to marry after he died. His only request was that whoever I chose be kind to Donald."
After revealing everything she knew, she requested permission to visit Donald Moore.
This request received no response.
Emerging from Interview Room 1, they found a dense crowd gathered outside.
The Homicide Team, the Violent Crimes Unit, Wenner, Santos, Cahill, Chief Weideke, the Senior Police Supervisor, and the judge and prosecutor Santos had dragged along, all were present.
They had listened to the entire interrogation process.
The large main office was unusually quiet, filled only with the rhythmic creaking of the electric fan.
Theodore nodded slightly at the assembled group, preparing to enter Interview Room 2 where Paul Anderson was being held.
The Senior Police Supervisor intercepted him, speaking in grave tones: "You've got a love story and the name of someone whose existence remains uncertain. This falls far short of your expectations."
"Perhaps it's time to let them take over." He gestured toward the Violent Crimes Unit personnel.
The Violent Crimes Unit detectives immediately tensed when the Senior Police Supervisor pointed in their direction, looking pitifully vulnerable as they faced Theodore.
Theodore shook his head firmly. "No. What she's told us is already sufficient."
The Senior Police Supervisor assumed he was simply being stubborn. He appreciated this display of loyalty, but his job wasn't to appreciate friendship.
He demanded Theodore provide his reasoning; he needed to reassess the risk.
"After helping Cynthia Moore secure the loan, Paul Anderson immediately proposed a relationship and received acceptance."
"He was manipulating Cynthia Moore through financial leverage."
"Following David Moore's death, Cynthia's financial pressure evaporated, which would have weakened this manipulation."
"So they shifted to a new method of control."
"They kidnapped her child."
Theodore flipped through the confession, cataloging the changes that had occurred since David Moore's death as supporting evidence.
Cynthia Moore had returned to single status, her financial pressure had significantly decreased, and her ability to repay debts had improved.
Paul Anderson, meanwhile, had transformed from a responsible, reassuring, comforting, dependable, content, undemanding, and tactful perfect lover into a habitual child kidnapper.
When confronted by police, he didn't dare move, didn't even attempt resistance, and surrendered immediately. He believed the electric chair was preferable to prison, the chair would hurt briefly, while prison would inflict pain until death.
"Paul Anderson's fear of legal consequences far outweighs any loyalty to his superiors."
"He needs an excuse to talk." Theodore held up Cynthia's confession. "Now we have one."
The main office fell silent for a moment before Councilor Santos's booming voice erupted:
"I said it from the beginning, he can definitely do this!"
"No wonder everyone's saying you can communicate with ghosts!" the Senior Police Supervisor exclaimed.
Theodore's movement through the confession pages froze momentarily.
The Senior Police Supervisor cleared the path. "Proceed."
The two men entered Interview Room 2.
The interrogation room wasn't soundproof, and Paul Anderson had overheard most of the discussion outside.
He was now glaring fiercely at Theodore, clearly displeased with Theodore's psychological assessment of him.
Theodore read Cynthia's confession aloud, immediately earning a mocking smile.
"That's right, I've messed around with countless bitches like that. They're no different from the girls working Rose Street."
Theodore set down the confession and asked, "What did Johnson tell you? You stay here to handle Donald Moore while he goes elsewhere to deal with Carl Sullivan?"
Paul Anderson sneered, convinced he had seen through Theodore's strategy and wouldn't fall into the trap.
Bernie, who had been recording with his head down, looked up at his partner.
Theodore didn't respond but continued pressing: "He told you to remain here instead of accompanying him?"
"It's just handling two eight-year-old children. You should be experienced at this by now. Why would you need to separate?"
"Why did Johnson take Carl Sullivan instead of Donald Moore?"
Paul Anderson glanced toward Bernie.
Theodore pressed on: "What do you think Johnson is doing right now? Packing money? Preparing the car? Or has he already mapped out his route to Mexico?"
Paul Anderson's smirk vanished. He frowned deeply, his expression growing uncertain.
Theodore turned and nodded twice toward the observation area.
Outside the interrogation room, urgent activity erupted:
"Move fast! Investigate everyone named Johnson!"
"Real name, code name, nickname, whatever it is, I want every Johnson in the West District on my desk!"
Theodore packed away the confession, preparing to conclude the interrogation. Combining all available clues, he released his profile of Johnson:
"Johnson is probably just a nickname."
"White male, 40-50 years old."
"Extensive criminal record with numerous violent crime convictions. Previous imprisonment for kidnapping and extortion."
"Slight build, thin frame. Portions of his body show ulceration or infection."
Paul Anderson couldn't help but stare at Theodore, his eyes filling with terror.
"Our people are searching the entire city. How many minutes do you estimate it will take to locate him?"
Bernie suddenly stood, leaned over, and grabbed Anderson's collar. "Before you sit in that electric chair, you'll wait at least six months for death penalty review."
"Before that, you'll also wait in line at least a year for trial."
"A year and a half total."
Johnson was slapping Little Sullivan's severely swollen cheek with his hand.
After gathering his belongings, he had finally remembered this insurance policy who had been unconscious since leaving the Blue Parrot Motel.
Little Sullivan responded quickly; the pain forced a loud groan from him.
Confirming that Little Sullivan wasn't dead, Johnson also breathed with relief. This was his security guarantee, he genuinely hoped the child would survive.
Just after driving out of his neighborhood, Johnson pulled the car to the roadside.
He was irritated by Little Sullivan's persistent groaning.
After multiple failed intimidation attempts, he walked to a convenience store, purchased a bottle of whiskey, pried open Little Sullivan's mouth, and forced the liquor down his throat.
"Drink more, it'll stop hurting soon."