DD Byrd
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Apr 17, 2009
- Messages
- 356
- Reaction score
- 740
From what I've read, Julie wasn't originally supposed to be there, and her mother gave her permission at the last second. Without cell phones, an abduction (or altercation) already planned (at the mall or elsewhere) would have her at the wrong place at the right time. Her presence was likely a surprise to the person/people who orchestrated the abduction/altercation...but now the wheels are in motion and they're at the point of no return. Julie was a witness and therefore collateral damage.
That scenario would also hold true if Rachel planned a stop (possibly unknown to Renee) to pop in and say hello, etc. elsewhere. Then, although unplanned, it hit the fan. Even if Julie was waiting in the car (like teens might make a little kid do), she was still in the wrong place and may have seen or heard something as well, sealing her fate. I'm thinking of carjacking cases where the thief doesn't realize there is a child in the car (not that he/she would care), but it does change the dynamic and escalates somewhat mindlessly - especially for a non-career criminal, there would be some adrenaline-fueled decisions. If opinions disagreed (with what to do w/ Julie or otherwise) but everyone involved feared accountability, that would explains decades of secrets, twists, and silence.
All things considered, I think someone/s either knew were they were going to mall, were at the mall, or had been at the mall and had the planned or sudden insight to put the car there. I don't know if there were receipts along with the wrapped presents, but whoever had the car could probably surmise that's where they'd been.
That scenario would also hold true if Rachel planned a stop (possibly unknown to Renee) to pop in and say hello, etc. elsewhere. Then, although unplanned, it hit the fan. Even if Julie was waiting in the car (like teens might make a little kid do), she was still in the wrong place and may have seen or heard something as well, sealing her fate. I'm thinking of carjacking cases where the thief doesn't realize there is a child in the car (not that he/she would care), but it does change the dynamic and escalates somewhat mindlessly - especially for a non-career criminal, there would be some adrenaline-fueled decisions. If opinions disagreed (with what to do w/ Julie or otherwise) but everyone involved feared accountability, that would explains decades of secrets, twists, and silence.
All things considered, I think someone/s either knew were they were going to mall, were at the mall, or had been at the mall and had the planned or sudden insight to put the car there. I don't know if there were receipts along with the wrapped presents, but whoever had the car could probably surmise that's where they'd been.