The Kidnapper's Wife

55. During

Elizabeth Marie Longoria

Part One of Recorded Interview

Continued

Officer Brown: So how did Connor eventually win Abby over.

Elizabeth Longoria: Well the first time that I can remember Abby being really positive about him was after Jade and Connor babysat her one time. At that age, she didn't really need someone to watch her per say, but sometimes I would go away for the weekend for work and I couldn't just leave her alone. Usually my parents would watch her when that happened, but a few months into Jade and Connor's relationship I got called to Tampa and Jade asked if she could watch Abby.

Elizabeth Longoria: To be honest, I think she thought it would be cute. Her and Connor, playing house with Abby. What a sweet date night. But I didn't have a problem with it, Abby and Jade had always been close, Jade would often take Abby out for shopping trips, ice cream, concerts, and other events even before she met Connor. She'd always say it was her responsibility to be the fun Aunt. And Abby, of course, loved it.

Elizabeth Longoria: So when I told Abby that she could go stay with Jade, she was excited. But then I remember her asking if she'd have to see Connor, and I told her that he would probably be there. She definitely didn't look as happy when I said that, but she was still excited to spend time with her favorite Aunt.

Officer Brown: So what happened that weekend?

Elizabeth Longoria: Well I dropped her off, and when she came home she wouldn't stop talking. Which was probably a byproduct of the chocolate chip pancakes they fed her for breakfast. But she told me how Connor had taken her and Jade to a real soccer game in DC. And afterward, they had stood in line and she'd gotten autographs from a few players. Then Connor had taken them to the spy museum down in DC, which was something I'd been meaning to do but hadn't gotten around to at the time. Anyway, she loved that too.

Elizabeth Longoria: From the sound of it, Connor had taken her side against Jade anytime Jade disagreed with Abby that weekend. Minor stuff of course, like what time Abby should go to bed, and whether she could have two ice cream cones in one day. But Abby liked that naturally.

Officer Brown: So it sounds like Connor really made an effort with Abby.

Elizabeth Longoria: He did. I think that's normal though. Like I said, he and Jade were pretty serious and he wanted her family to like him. I think especially because he didn't have any family of his own, he wanted to feel like he belonged.

Officer Brown: Right. And did Connor ever babysit Abigail by himself?

Elizabeth Longoria: Like...without Jade?

Officer Brown: Yes.

Elizabeth Longoria. I don't think....actually you know what, I think there was one time. It was after Connor and Jade had been together for a long time, at least two years. Jade and I took a girls trip to Las Vegas, we went for a week. My parents watched Abby for the most part, but there was one night that they'd already planned to visit friends at a winery somewhere off in Southern Virginia. They offered to cancel, but Jade offered Connor up to watch Abby. By that time, Abby and Connor were so close that it didn't even give me pause.

Officer Brown: And did Abby ever say anything about that experience?

Elizabeth Longoria: I really don't remember to be honest. It was so long ago. I don't remember anything negative about it.

Officer Brown: And did she ever say anything, or act in a manner that made you think there could be....anything out of the ordinary about her and Connor's relationship

Elizabeth Longoria: Out of the ordinary? I'm not sure what you mean Officer.

Officer Brown: To be more specific: did you ever think their relationship may have become....more than platonic in nature?

Elizabeth Longoria: More than platonic? Like...Connor being interested in Abby? I...I...no! There's no way. Abby would have told me if Connor had ever tried anything inappropriate with her. Why? Do you know something I don't? Did Connor do something to my baby!?

Officer Brown: No, no, definitely not, Ms. Longoria please don't get upset, we don't know anything that suggests that. I was simply trying to cover all the bases. We don't want to leave any stone unturned, even the heavy ones.

Elizabeth Longoria: How could you even suggest....Connor is Abby's family. And I would never leave Abby with anyone I didn't trust completely. That's just. It's absurd to think Abby would ever for a second have allowed that to happen.

Officer Brown: Children don't always have the same understanding of relationships as adults do. When someone is in a position of power, they don't always know that what is happening is wrong.

Elizabeth Longoria: No. Abby would know. Abby would tell me. There's just no way.

Officer Brown: Ms. Longoria, please don't worry too much about this. We have no evidence to suggest Connor ever did anything more than be a loving uncle to Abby. I'm sure you have nothing to worry about.

Elizabeth Longoria: I'm sure I don't too.

Officer Brown: You said Abby was 13 at the time she met Connor. So that makes her 17 now, correct?

Elizabeth Longoria: Right.

Officer Brown: Does she by any chance attend the same high school that Anna Harris did?

Elizabeth Longoria: She does actually.

Officer Brown: And does she know Anna at all?

Elizabeth Longoria: Abby knows of Anna. They weren't close. Anna was a freshman and Abby is a senior, the two grades don't interact much. Also, from what I understand, Anna was very into academic extracurricular activities, whereas Abby is so busy with soccer she doesn't have time for things like robotics club.

Officer Brown: Is that what she said when you asked her if she knew Anna?

Elizabeth Longoria: She said she'd met her before. Sometimes before practice, she'd drop into the classroom that Connor does robotics club in to say hi. Sometimes Anna was there. Also sometimes Connor would driver Abby home from practice. She says when she'd meet up with him, Anna was there a lot. And once or twice he drove Anna home at the same time as her. But she said she always just assumed Anna needed extra help.

Officer Brown: So did she ever actually have any conversations with Anna?

Elizabeth Longoria: Not that she specifically mentioned. I'm sure they chatted some, but I don't think she was ever around Anna without Connor, so it wasn't like they were having behind the scenes heart to hearts. When I asked Abby about it, I got the impression that Anna didn't even meet the status of acquaintance to her. Anna was just someone she recognized and had been around, but not someone she knew.

Officer Brown: Okay, thank you. I think that really wraps up the points we wanted to cover here today. If I think of anything else that might be important, I will contact you again. Thank you for coming in and taking the time to speak to us.

Elizabeth Longoria: Your welcome. Whatever I can do to help put that man away forever. He destroyed my sister's life, after she worshipped the ground he walked on. There is no punishment great enough for what he's done.

Officer Brown: Well we are doing everything we can to catch him.