Chapter 10 - Derek’s first explanation
Police found Derek at his brother’s house at 12:38 a.m.
He did not flee the state.
Did not shave his head.
Did not destroy a phone.
He was watching television.
He voluntarily came to the station with an attorney.
His story:
He had gone to the building hoping to speak to me.
He admitted turning off the breaker.
That surprised everyone.
He called it:
“A stupid attempt to get her attention.”
He denied locking me in the utility room.
He said:
“We argued downstairs. She walked into the storage area herself. I left.”
Why would I padlock myself?
He suggested someone else might have locked it after he left.
Who?
Unknown.
He admitted having once possessed a service key.
Claimed it had been returned.
He denied buying the padlock for the basement.
Said he purchased it for a storage box at work.
Police checked.
No such lock was found on the work box.
His attorney said he may have changed plans.
Possible.
Then came his most important claim.
May you like
“Rachel is trying to make me look dangerous so she can take my kids.”
That became the foundation of his counterattack.
