The Promise by Patrick Hurley Read Free Book Online Page B

was due partly because of her reputation and partly because many of them had children themselves. They were also sensitive to Detective Gallagher's tragic loss as well.
     
                  "I have a question on that, sir!" Gallagher turned in the direction of the shouting officer, "Go ahead Simpson!" 
     
                  "Who would be stupid enough to buy a five million dollar policy on his daughter and then take her out a week later?  That doesn’t make any sense to me, especially a smart guy like Arch Taylor!"
     
                  Gallagher stepped up to the microphone, "A desperate man that's who.
    But, my question i s why a multi-millionaire would do that to his child for five million dollars. He could borrow that amount without any problem, or find investors. The amount doesn’t make sense to me.
     
    Although it’s a significant amount of money, it’s not enough for a man of his financial stature to do in his child."
     
                  Another officer stood up with his theory, "Maybe he just didn’t like his daughter and saw a way to make a cool ten million with the double indemnity clause." 
     
    No one in the room said a word. 
     
    Some just glared at the guy and some just shook their heads with amazement at his conclusion. He sheepishly responded, "Hey, I’m just trying to help here. I mean it was just an idea!"
     
    He quickly sat down.      
     
                  Another hand went up, "Maybe he figured what we are figuring, that he would never do that for five million in the event she is never found.  She’s gone and he collects and we think, ‘no way.’
     
    And, he still walks away with the cash."
     
                  Gallagher again, "The more I think about it, the more I eliminate Arch Taylor for the insurance reason. There has to be more.
     
    He loved his daughter too much for that amount of money, for any amount of money. You have to understand, a father's love is,"
     
    He couldn’t finish his sentence.
     
    The words choked in his throat. It was obvious he was no longer talking about Archer Taylor. No one in the room spoke until he regained his composure.
     
    "Excuse me, let's move on with forensics. Dr. Lowe?" As the police pathologist walked to the front, Gallagher stepped quickly out of the room to compose himself.
     
                  Criminal investigator Paul Lowe explained, "The reports at the potential crime scene are negative in every aspect.
     
    From a forensic standpoint, there is no evidence that Allison Taylor even walked past the library that day or that she was even on this planet that afternoon..
     
    We have spent over one hundred man hours combing the grounds and, as far as any evidence proves, she does not exist." 
     
                  "Dr. Lowe in a situation as this would you expect any clues due to the number of people that day?"
     
                  The pathologist thought for a moment, "Not really. It’s a needle in a haystack and the possibility exists there’s not even a needle.
     
    She may have been abducted miles away for all we know here. No one saw her when she disappeared around the corner, but that doesn’t mean the potential crime occurred there. 
     
    She could have been taken several blocks, or even miles away."
     
    He stood there looking helpless like a five year old who had just lost his milk money. His job was forensic science but he had nothing scientific to work on. 
     
                  Gallagher stepped back into the room, a little pale but still in command of the scene, "Should we continue to assume that she probably did disappear close to the library based on the number of people who were on the other side of the building who do not remember seeing her?"
     
                  Dr. Lowe was careful to reply, "I think she vanished that day and that is all I can say with certainty. Where or at what time, I cannot