Eldons interest ratcheted up a notch. Youre the folks who get innocent people out of jail.
Sometimes. Ford spent a couple of minutes telling him the basics of how the foundation worked and his role there. Robyn brought your case to my attention. Id heard of it, of course. But I hadnt realized how many unanswered questions remained. The information she provided was compelling enough for me to want to look into it.
A little late, isnt it?
Were often the avenue of last resort. Mr. Jasperson, Ill get right to the point. Ive read the police report, and I have strong reason to believe you were not alone the night Justin disappeared.
Fear and surprise flashed briefly in Eldons sullen gray eyes, but he quickly hid his reaction. Not quickly enough, however. Ford knew he was on to something.
Why would you think something like that? If anyone could back up my story, dont you think Id have said something?
Why did you order a large, half-and-half pizza? Ford asked.
He gave an exaggerated shrug. Because I was hungry? Who the hell told you what kind of pizza I ordered? Why would anyone care about such a stupid detail?
It was in the police report, Ford replied. Police often ask for small details when theyre questioning victims or witnessesor potential suspects. The details will trip people up.
Or help them out, Robyn said. Eldon, you ordered a large pizza, half black olives. You hate black olives.
Thats just not true. But he swallowed several times. The questions were making him nervous.
Ford continued to push. Mr. Jasperson, I cant imagine why you wouldnt tell us who you were with. Whatever your reasons for keeping that secretsurely they dont matter anymore. You have nothing to lose.
Id like to help, believe me, Jasperson said politely. But I was alone.
Robyn banged one fist on the metal table. You were cheating on Trina while she was away at a conference, she said, suddenly harsh. Why cant you admit that?
Where would you get such a foolish idea? Jasperson sounded less polite now.
Because you cheated on me. And I know what it looks like. I watched the video of your interrogation, and I know the look that was on your face. Ive seen it beforewhen youd been with Trina and you were trying to hide it from me.
He sat up straighter, defiant. Maybe I looked guilty on that video because I killed our son.
Ford expected Robyn to flinch at the words, but she came right back at him. I know damn well you would never have hurt Justin. Tell me who she is.
Robyn and her ex-husband stared at each other, challenging, until Ford was sure blue sparks would fly between them. But finally Eldon looked away, defeated. I cant find her, he said softly. I saw no reason to involve her at the beginning. I had no clue things would turn out as they did, not an inkling that Id be arrested for Justins murder. So I said I was alone. Later, when I knew I was in trouble, I couldnt find her. Shed left town. So I said nothing. Changing my storywith no one to corroborate itwould only make me look like a liar. And a cheating husband on top of that.
Ford resisted the urge to grin. He really hadnt been sure Robyns hunch would pan out.
So whats her name? Ford asked, pad and pencil ready.
Eldon shook his head. You wont find her. She hid her tracks well. Anyway, she wasnt there when Justin was taken. She was back at my house.
But she can verify that Justin was alive at the time you left to get pizza. Ford was amazed that Jasperson didnt grasp this. The prosecution has always maintained the pizza run was a cover story used to stage a phony kidnapping, and that youd probably killed Justin hours earlier and spent a good amount of time disposing of the body.
Now both Robyn and Eldon did flinch.
Im sorry, but theres no time to worry about delicate sensibilities. Eldon, this woman could clear you.
I doubt shell talk, even if you do find her.
Let me worry about that. Whats her name?
You cant do this! Eldon roared. TrinaTrina has been so loyal through all this. I cant face death knowing Ive turned her against me.
Eldon, Robyn said. Its too late for that. She already knows.
Shes okay with it, Ford added, lying through his teeth. She understands. She wont hold it against you, not at this late date. It was a long time ago.
Eldon shook his head stubbornly.
Youd rather die than take this chance? Ford asked.
He didnt respond.
Well find her without your cooperation, Ford said with steely determination. And when we do, I wont be gentle with her. Ill feed her name to every sleazy reporter in the country. Her life will be a living hell.
ROBYN WANTED TO OBJECT to Fords harsh threat. Hadnt Eldon been savaged enough? But what did Ford care? He didnt know Eldon, had never seen him playing horsey with Justin or entertaining the baby with faces while changing his diaper. Fords job wasnt to make friends. He was pursuing this case the way he did everythingmoving resolutely forward, eye on the goal, never wavering.
It was the reason shed agreed with Trina that he was the right man for the case.
When Ford had shielded her from the media vultures, she had thought shed seen a speck of caring there. But she must have been mistaken. The man was a machine.
Eldon, Robyn said gently, grasping his attention. No matter what happens, you wont die alone. I will be here for you. I still care for you.
How could you? he asked. After what youve been through
You lost a son, too. Maybe you arent the most faithful of husbands, but that doesnt mean you didnt love your sonor that you should die for someone elses crime. For the love we had for Justinfor the love we once shared. Help us help you. A single tear escaped, and she dashed it away. Tell us the womans name. Well handle it sensitively.
Eldon closed his eyes, battling some internal demon. Finally he looked at Robyn, shutting out Ford. Heather. He barely whispered the word. It was Heather.
Heather Boone? Robyn asked, her voice coming out a hoarse accusation. Oh, God. No wonder he hadnt wanted to say anything.
Do you understand now?
Robyn was afraid she did. How old was she at the time? She chanced a look at Ford, gauging his reaction. He leaned back in his chair, his face a granite wall. But she noted a faint flicker of displeasure in his eyes. He wasnt happy with the conversations direction.
She was above the age of consent, Eldon said.
Ford suddenly sat forward. Look, would somebody mind telling me who Heather Boone is?
She was one of my art students. Someone I took a special interest in. Apparently Eldon did, too, she added bitterly. Damn it, Eldon, she was a troubled child. How could you take advantage
I was helping her.
By sleeping with her?
Time-out! Ford silenced them with his outburst. Robyn looked at him, startled at his show of temper. But there was a time to be sensitive, and a time to play hardball. Ford instinctively knew which strategy to use. If you want me to move forward with this case, yall are both gonna have to shut up and listen to me. Eldon, youre dealing with me now, not your ex-wife. Tell me from start to finish what happened that night. And if I sense any bullshit, Im walking out of here and never coming back.