Case 3: One Step Ahead

1

When I meet the Rivera family, I need to pay attention to Mark...

 

2

Jonathan: Hi again, are the both of you free to talk right now?

Mark: Yes, this was the agreed time, we can talk.

Jonathan: I've been working some late nights recently, but the picture is getting clearer now!

April: That is really great news. Mark knows all about late nights, he stays late every Monday.

Jonathan: Oh, yeah? That was at the US Border Patrol office, right?

Mark: Yeah, I have to work more than 40 hours a week. Have to pay the bills somehow, haha.

Jonathan: That is respectable. To continue, I'd like to inform you of some new information.

Mark: New information? Really? What is it?

Jonathan: I have a suspect in mind, and I think this may be a homicide case... unfortunately.

April: Who is the suspect? Emma Windale???

Jonathan: She is probably part of this puzzle. Tell me everything about Emma.

 

Mark was on edge at the beginning of this conversation, but then he was fine... as soon as I mentioned Emma.

I'm still here... So he doesn't know I already found out a lot about him...

 

Mark: There's a lot, but, let's get right into it.

Jonathan: When did they begin meeting and did they break up?

April: Rich went missing on March 8th of 2007, and Emma came into his life around June 3, 2005.

Jonathan: Did they break up?

April: It's hard to say if they broke up... I think Rich would have called us or something.

 

Quick Analysis

 

3

Rich's girlfriend would know a lot about him, and could have been closer to him than his parents... at least at the time of his disappearance.

 

4

April wasn't very upset when I said I considered the case a homicide case. Also, Mark was very concerned with new information. I'm guessing Mark already took a look into his son's disappearance, so new information is valuable to him.

 

5

Mark told me he worked more than 40 hours a week, he's always so vague about his job. I know about his secrets... but I need to find out more.

 

6

From my limited interactions with April, I think she is not more interested in finding her son than her husband Mark, but she doesn't seem to have any secrets. Also, it's obvious April doesn't know about Mark's desert travels.

 

 

7

Jonathan: Honesty please, but were Emma and Rich using any kind of drugs?

Mark: No, no, no... Rich hated drugs, he would never take them, deal them, or anything. I know my son; he wasn't like that.

 

Hmm, Mark is so certain his son wasn't a drug addict... but anyone is capable of anything given the right circumstances.

 

Mark: No, no, no, that wasn't Rich, he hated drugs.

Jonathan: And what about Emma?

Mark: I don't think so, Rich wouldn't have liked Emma if she was using drugs.

Jonathan: How many times have you met Emma?

April: Mark, wasn't it only about 10 times or so? I think we met her around 10 times...

Jonathan: Have you met Emma's parents?

April: No, but she talked about her family and only had good things to say.

Jonathan: Do you know where I can find the parents?

Mark: Yes, April, wasn't the address 1805 Clover Lane?

 

*Wait for April's response*

 

April: Let me check... yeah, that's it.

Jonathan: I need to locate Emma and question her about Rich.

Mark: That sounds like a solid plan. Good luck.

Jonathan: Okay, I should get going. I will call when I have more news.

Mark: Yep, thanks again, Jonathan.

 

Analyze the Conversation

 

8

Hmm, well, I know that Mark will gladly talk about Emma, but not himself.

 

9

April seems to be completely clueless about Mark's job...

 

10

What could be something so bad that it has to be hidden from April?

 

Drugs?

 

11

I need to know more details about Mark's desert excursions.

 

12

I just hope Mark doesn't find out that I bugged his car.

 

13

I could try to keep my distance and follow them further, it may be difficult to remain hidden though.

 

14

She might be able to figure out where he is going, but I'm not sure how that would play out.

 

15

Mark mostly took control of the situation. April immediately looked concerned when I asked about drugs. She then looked at Mark for answers. They must know something...

 

16

I need to keep both options available, but I think it is more likely than not that he used drugs.

 

17

Certainly negatively. When I bring up drugs, it induces a state of worry for both of them. Mark hides it well though.

 

Conclude Investigation

1. Did April and Mark lie about their son's drug abuse?

  • No
  • Yes
  • They were unsure

 

2. Does Mark know I followed him yesterday?

  • No
  • Yes

 

3. How often does Mark go to the desert?

  • Daily
  • Every Monday
  • Every Tuesday
  • Every Wednesday

 

4. Why does Mark work late?

  • For more money
  • To leave early the next day
  • To be the last one at work

 

5. How can I find the precise location of Mark's secret meetings?

  • Bug his vehicle
  • Bug the black SUV
  • Follow him more closely
  • GPS call tracker
  • Tell April to find out

Correct Answers

1. Did April and Mark lie about their son's drug abuse?

  • Yes

 

2. Does Mark know I followed him yesterday?

  • No

 

3. How often does Mark go to the desert?

  • Every Tuesday

 

4. Why does Mark work late?

  • To leave early the next day

 

5. How can I find the precise location of Mark's secret meeting?

  • Bug his vehicle