Page 149 of The Advocate’s Ultimatum

He opened the main report again.

Victim: Todd Maddox

Lead Detective: Greg Nelson

JP skimmed past the scene narrative. Victim located in his duplex in El Cajon. Female suspect detained nearby. Witnesses placed suspect and victim together earlier in evening.

He knew all that. He read through his own notes again. He needed to find the parts where people accidentally told the truth.

He picked up the witness Interview from the Lantern Room bartender. Victim had become “fixated” on a brunette female later believed to be Bay Mercer and “her blonde friend/sister.” Victim repeatedly commented: “Something’s off with those girls.”

It wasn’t identification, just a suspicion. He continued reading.

Victim believed older male associated with females was “not really their dad.” Victim stated females appeared nervous when discussing residence, employment, or school.

Sabre looked up. “He saw the control,” she said.

“Or enough odd behavior to keep digging.”

JP turned the page. He stopped at another comment by the bartender. The victim stated: “I think those girls are hiding from somebody.”

Maddox had started constructing a theory. Not a good one, but enough to push.

JP opened the digital extraction summary next.

That was where things shifted.

Cell Phone Extraction—Todd Maddox Browser Searches (Previous 10 Days)

missing girl California found years later

can someone use fake birth certificate?

how to tell if someone is being controlled

long term kidnapping victims

San Diego missing child cases

Sabre stood and walked over. JP slid the report toward her. She read silently.

“No names,” she said. “But he was circling something.”

“Yeah.” He turned to another report.

Saved Images

Recovered images included:

screenshot of California missing-child article

screenshot of age-progression composite from unidentified cold case

blurry photograph of unidentified blonde female exiting laundromat

Sabre narrowed her eyes. “He was comparing.”

JP nodded. “He knew something was wrong, but he didn’t know exactly what was going on. He was pattern matching.”