police are certain about a theory or suspect. I can’t speak to the inner workings of the Herron Mills PD specifically, but based on the public cases I’ve studied, this kind of debilitating, narrow focus is shockingly common. I’ll link to some examples in the show notes.
GEORGE SPANOS: They were convinced from the start that Zoe ran away.
MARTINA GREEN: That’s George Spanos again.
GEORGE SPANOS: The Greyhound ticket, sure, it looks like she was planning to go somewhere. And I can’t account for that. But Zoe had a good life. She was happy. She loved Brown, she had so many friends. Maybe she was a little bored at home over break. There isn’t a whole lot going on in Herron Mills in the winter, and her boyfriend had been in the city all week. Maybe she was planning to visit someone in Philadelphia for a few days, and she just hadn’t told us yet. It’s possible. But stealing that boat? Running away? It’s [BLEEP] absurd.
ASTER SPANOS: Dad.
GEORGE SPANOS: I’m sorry. I am. Joan and I, we’ve been doing our best to keep things together for twelve weeks now. We trusted the police to do their job—what else could we do? But under what circumstances would Zoe cut off all communication with us, with Caden, with her friends? Under what circumstances would she not withdraw any money from the bank, or use her credit card? We’ve kept the accounts open, just in case … in case she needs them. [MUFFLED SOBBING.]
MARTINA GREEN: Indeed, after twelve weeks, there has still been no activity on any of Zoe’s accounts, which indicates that Zoe’s abduction—if that is what happened—was not financially motivated.
GEORGE SPANOS: [CLEARS THROAT.] It is my deepest hope that my daughter is still alive. Zoe, if you’re listening, if you did leave us willingly, it’s okay. We’re not angry with you. We just want to know you’re okay.
But I think, at this point, we have to consider the alternative. Because if Zoe didn’t run away, it means she’s been abducted, or worse. And that person is still out there. [VOICE RISING.] If Holloway and Massey and the rest of them would do their [BLEEP BLEEP] jobs, we might all sleep a little easier. Because this isn’t just about my daughter. This is about the safety of our entire community. [BLEEP.] I’m sorry. I think I have to stop.
MARTINA GREEN: I’m still at Maple Grove. Aster and I have relocated to her bedroom on the second floor. She’s sitting on the edge of her bed and working a conditioning treatment into her hair.
ASTER SPANOS: There are things I can’t say in front of my dad. Dad, if you’re listening to this episode, which I honestly doubt, I’m sorry.
MARTINA GREEN: What kind of things?
ASTER SPANOS: What my dad said? About it being absurd that Zoe would run away? I don’t think that’s entirely true.
MARTINA GREEN: You think the police are right? That Zoe ran away?
ASTER SPANOS: I don’t know. But last fall, she wasn’t happy. Not like she was over the summer, when she was out in California. Not like she was last year. I don’t think my parents noticed. Not anything against them, it’s just Zoe was always cheerful on the phone. She put up a good front, but … When she came home for Thanksgiving, something wasn’t right. She was just … off. She stayed in her room a lot, wouldn’t tell me what was going on. It wasn’t like her.
MARTINA GREEN: Was Caden home for Thanksgiving? Did Zoe spend time with him?
ASTER SPANOS: He was. Zoe went over to Windermere maybe twice that weekend. She swore nothing was wrong, but I’m her sister. I could tell.
MARTINA GREEN: You think something wasn’t right in their relationship? That they were fighting, or having problems?
ASTER SPANOS: I never saw them fighting. Maybe it was something else entirely. She wouldn’t talk to me about it. When she came home for winter break, she was quiet. She really loved Christmas, always went totally overboard with baking cookies and making these super thoughtful presents. This year was no exception. So I can see why my parents thought everything was normal. But as soon as Christmas was over, she kind of retreated to her room again. She said she was getting a head start on the reading for this upper level course she was taking in the spring. Maybe she was.
MARTINA GREEN: While Assistant Detective Massey would not speak to me about the contents of Zoe’s computer, which was