Moore asked, “Am I under arrest? I know Mark is missing, but I don’t know how I can help.”
“We have questions you might help answer. Please come with us. You’re not under arrest.”
Moore, too stunned to resist, joined them in the unmarked car. He sat in the back, complying with department protocol.
Detective Nesbit turned to his partner.
“Let’s head to the station.”
On the way, Nesbit asked Moore, “How well do you know Mrs. Evans?”
“She’s just Mark’s wife to me. Why do you ask?” Moore replied.
“Just wondering. What do you do, Mr. Moore?”
“I run a landscaping company, Moore’s Landscaping. We do a lot of commercial work, even for the city,” Moore said, relaxing a bit.
At the station, Moore was placed in an interrogation room next to Lisa’s. Detective Nesbit gathered Klein’s folders and began questioning Moore.
Initially, Moore denied the affair, but evidence from emails and surveillance reports made him confess. He admitted the affair lasted almost four months but insisted neither of them injured Mark and that they didn’t leave his house the night Mark disappeared.
As Nesbit pressed him, Moore suggested a new theory.
“If Mark found out about us, he might have gone into a rage or even hired someone to make it look like we were involved. He and I have history.”
Nesbit countered, “We have the weapon used. A witness described you in your car and provided most of your license plate number. Don’t try to claim Mark framed you with an elaborate self-destruction.”
Blake Moore became agitated and said, “You don’t know Mark. We’ve been best friends since elementary school, but I’ve learned not to mess with his girlfriends or his wife. In high school, I dated one of his girlfriends behind his back. When he found out, he scared me, even though I’m bigger and stronger. He warned me he’d liquidate me if I did it again.”
The detective, slightly amused, replied, “So, you were scared of him but still had an affair with his wife?”
Blake, calming down, said, “I couldn’t resist her. It built up over the years, and a few months ago, I made a move. We’ve been seeing each other since. I can’t believe he found out. We were so careful.”
The detective sifted through reports.
“Affairs often lead to homicide. I think you and Lisa planned this. You can either come clean or face the maximum penalty. Your choice.”
Blake insisted, “We had nothing to do with it. If Mark found out, he might have done something drastic. Maybe he set us up.”
Detective Nesbit said, “We have enough to search your home, car, and office. Confess now for leniency. Use your head, Blake.”
Blake, outraged, said, “I didn’t hurt Mark. Maybe Lisa did something, but I don’t know about it.”
The detective picked up his papers and left the room, saying, “When criminals work together, one always tries to blame the other. You won’t be leaving anytime soon.”
Outside, Detective Nesbit found his partner with another report.
“The shovels found in the river are from Moore’s Landscaping. These guys think we won’t find out later.”
The detectives presented their evidence to the district attorney. Despite lacking a body, the evidence was strong enough to press charges.
Half an hour later, Lisa Evans and Blake Moore were charged with Mark Evans’ homicide. They proclaimed their innocence as their Miranda rights were read.
After the arraignment, Lisa and Blake were fingerprinted and photographed, neither needing to be told not to smile. As they were led back to their cells, they spoke for the first time since being charged.
“What are we going to do, Blake? They can’t believe we did anything to Mark, can they?” Lisa asked, still sniffing.
“We need our own lawyers, or maybe share one to save money, since we’re accused of the same thing. But this is all wrong. I think Mark set us up,” Blake said, frustrated.
“You can’t believe that, can you? Why would Mark go to such extremes?” Lisa asked, shocked.
“I don’t think you knew Mark as well as you thought. I’m amazed he didn’t do something drastic when he found out about us. If I thought he’d find out, I wouldn’t have touched you,” Blake replied, shaking his head.
Blake told Lisa about a past incident when he had secretly dated Mark’s girlfriend. Standing by the cell bars, separated by a concrete wall, they could easily talk.
“I don’t believe Mark would do this. I don’t even know how he found out. We were always careful and only met when he was out of town,” Lisa said thoughtfully.
“I regret betraying him. Even if he’s not dead, I want a divorce,” she added, her voice trailing off with emotion.
Blake listened to her sobs and said, “Lisa, stop it. You knew the risks when you came to my house. You were aware of the consequences.”
She quieted down and said softly, “You’re right. I just hope he forgives me.”
After a pause, Lisa suggested, “I could call Robert Graham, our attorney. Maybe he can represent both of us and split the costs.”
They agreed, and Lisa got an officer’s attention to make a call. However, Robert Graham declined due to his involvement in Mark’s divorce proceedings, recommending his colleague Basil Smith instead.
Lisa agreed, and Smith was on his way. Blake was pleased to hear this and thanked Lisa.
They waited in their cells until Basil Smith, a seasoned lawyer, arrived. The introductions were brief, and Smith reviewed the charges.
“So, you’re both charged with Mark Evans’ homicide. What did the officers tell you? Mrs. Evans, you first. Just the main points.”
Lisa recounted her story, ending in tears.
“I had nothing to do with it. I love Mark. I couldn’t hurt him.”
Smith then turned to Blake.
“Your turn. Briefly.”
Blake summarized his experience, asserting, “We had nothing to do with Mark’s disappearance. I think Mark organized this to frame us.”