The Doll Collector

Chapter 19: Detective DeWitt

After a short, but refreshing nap, I spent the rest of the night reviewing the security tapes from the library. There was a man that showed up a few times and interacted with Isabella and Charlotte.

He seemed to know just where the cameras were and kept his face away from their watchful eyes. There was never a clear shot of his face, only slight shots of his profile that wouldn't be very useful. I wanted to confirm this was the man in the sketch that had Carole provided.

I couldn't understand this guy, he was a person of interest due to his odd behavior. No one was that elusive, this savvy, but here was the proof. Whoever this guy was, he was smart.

At the fifth hour, I grew desperate and ran the profile screenshots through the database we had, but nothing appeared. Carole had described him as being a 6'2'' Caucasian male with green eyes and brown hair. That didn't narrow it down to too many people.

I took another swig of coffee, but by this point, I was more coffee than man, and I was immune to caffeine.

The clock ticked on the far wall of my office. It was somewhere near one in the morning.

I rubbed my eyes with the pads of my thumbs and leaned back on my creaky chair. My lower back was beginning to ache. I glanced at my phone to see if Marner had texted me back. I knew he wasn't too involved with Barbara, but he was sensitive about these things.

We were somewhat if not directly responsible for her death, and the fact that we may never find her body was even worse. I pressed down on the home button, feeling relief that he had finally texted me back.

Me: What took you so long to text me back??

Kristopher Marner: Step off Adrian, you're getting clingy

Me: Do you have another partner??

Me: How does he touch you?

Kristopher Marner: ADRIAN 😂

Kristopher Marner: But let's be real Adrian, you'd be the cheater in this relationship

Me: Yeah, probably

Me: But really, are you okay?

Kristopher Marner: I'm fine, just a little queasy. I think it was something I ate. Can't keep from puking.

I'd figured as much. We had never lost a witness before. Once a witness was shot outside of a courtroom, but she pulled through. Marner was distraught the entire time, muttering he hadn't protected her enough.

I knew he was just saying he had food poisoning or something to keep up the strong man facade, but I knew him.

Me: Look, we can't blame ourselves

Kristopher Marner: We should have known that he would come after her

Me: Listen, Kris I know Lieutenant Carter already gave it to you, but just take the night off and we'll regroup in the morning

Kristopher Marner: Thanks Adrian, and I'm sorry

Kristopher Marner: I just feel like I should have checked on her

Kristopher Marner: I figured that she was just blowing me off

Kristopher Marner: I should have gotten over my pride and checked on her

Kristopher Marner: Maybe I could have saved her

Me: Don't be sorry, I get it, believe me, I feel it too