CHAPTER 7

The search for Harrold was done on what can only be described as a major scale. There was a police alert sent out around the country, but the police in all of Queensland were on high alert for him. While the search was happening John and Angie looked through his criminal record. He had been charged with multiple counts of assault, one case of rape, and one case of armed robbery. The rape and robbery happened around the same time, and he pled insanity for both. Psychologists assessed Harrold and put him in the hospital. That was a few months ago, he has been in and out of holds at the hospital since.

“So, he’s never been a suspect in a murder case before?” Angie asked John.

“No, he’s never even been near a murder. But the records say he was having homicidal thoughts.”

Angie looked through his files again, just to be sure. She found something that both gave her hope and terrified her at the same time. There had been around four murders in the surrounding area in the past five years, including Farrah and Ava. All the murders corresponded when Harrold was out of the hospital. They needed to find him, and soon.

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The coroner’s report came back later that day. Ava Gelding had been strangled, as Angie suspected. The DNA test also came back, the hair on the doorframe was Avery, this only confirmed what the couple already knew. Avery had been forced out of the house.

Even though John and Angie both knew the murderer and kidnapper was likely Harrold, they uncovered two new suspects. One of them owned a building company, and the other was a real-estate agent. The builder’s name was Finn, and the real-state agent’s name was Donn. They both were around the area at the time of the 000 call, they had both been to the house that day, and they both have some kind of connection with the Gelding family. Finn with Elsie and Greg Peal. Donn with the twin’s father, Robert Gelding.

Angie and John both realised at the same time that one of the family members had to have a connection with Harrold. Despite the fact that they were neighbours, they couldn’t uncover a relationship.

“Maybe the twin’s knew him?” John enquired.

“Maybe… but it’s more likely he got the house code from someone else in the family.” Angie replied. She hated to admit it, but even she couldn’t hide the fact that they had hit a roadblock. Harrold still hadn’t been found, and they still couldn't seem to find a connection to the case with him. But, if he was innocent, why did he run?