Deadly Mirage - Ep. 4: David and Bathsheba

Summary

Dateline Originals: Deadly Mirage - Ep. 4: David and Bathsheba

Introduction

In Episode 4 of Deadly Mirage, titled "David and Bathsheba," NBC News' Dateline Originals delves into the intricate and emotionally charged true crime case surrounding the murder of Rob Limone. This episode explores the complex relationship between Sabrina Limone and Jonathan Hearn, unraveling motives, deceit, and the quest for redemption through faith. Hosted by Josh Mankiewicz, the episode provides a gripping narrative enriched with insightful interviews, covert surveillance footage, and psychological profiling.

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Background: The Murder of Rob Limone

The episode centers on the tragic murder of Rob Limone, whose death on the eve of his 14th wedding anniversary sets off a cascade of events revealing hidden relationships and questionable motives. Sabrina Limone, Rob's widow, becomes the focal point of the investigation as suspicions arise around her interactions with Jonathan Hearn, a firefighter and Sabrina's newfound romantic partner.

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Characters: Sabrina Limone and Jonathan Hearn

Sabrina Limone is portrayed as a devoted mother and wife, grappling with the sudden loss of her husband, Rob. Her relationship with Jonathan Hearn, however, introduces elements of complexity and suspicion. Jonathan, characterized by his deep faith and devout prayers, emerges as a pivotal figure whose intentions and actions come under intense scrutiny.

Notable Quote:

"I cannot be distracted by anything else besides Robbie and Leanna. And how am I gonna, you know, raise them?"
— Sabrina Limone (09:24)

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The Detective's Interrogation

Detective Randall Meyer leads the interrogation of Sabrina, employing both psychological tactics and technological advancements in DNA analysis to uncover the truth. The introduction of Cybergenetics' software marks a significant shift in investigative techniques, aiming to provide unprecedented precision in solving cases.

Notable Quote:

"Some of the questions that the detectives asked me just like how much of our story to tell kind of thing."
— Jonathan Hearn (02:50)

Detective Meyer's relentless questioning about Sabrina and Rob's marital dynamics, specifically probing into rumors of an open marriage, raises red flags about Sabrina's fidelity and potential motives for murder.

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The David and Bathsheba Parallel

A central theme in the episode is the biblical parallel drawn between Jonathan and Sabrina's relationship and the story of David and Bathsheba. This analogy underscores the moral and ethical dilemmas faced by the characters, highlighting issues of adultery, power, and forgiveness.

Notable Quote:

"He is a regular guy, but he loves God. He was someone who committed adultery. It says in the Bible that David was a man after God's own heart."
— Jonathan Hearn (21:02)

The detectives perceive Jonathan's affinity for the biblical story as a subtle confession, suggesting a moral justification for his actions and intentions. This interpretation intensifies the investigation, shedding light on the psychological underpinnings of Jonathan's character.

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Surveillance and Wiretaps

The episode reveals the extent of surveillance undertaken by law enforcement, including undercover operations and wiretapped conversations. These covert methods aim to gather incontrovertible evidence against Jonathan and Sabrina, although no direct confession surfaces.

Notable Quote:

"It was him and his sister Emily."
— Jonathan Hearn (17:16)

The wiretaps capture Jonathan's constant prayers and discussions about purpose, faith, and the impending reckoning, hinting at his possible involvement in Rob's murder and his reliance on divine guidance to justify his actions.

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The Unveiling and Arrest

As pressure mounts, Detective Meyer leverages new evidence, including security camera footage of a man on a motorcycle, to close in on Jonathan and Sabrina. Despite Sabrina's attempts to dismiss the evidence, Jonathan's growing anxiety and fear culminate in his eventual arrest.

Notable Quote:

"I have nothing at all. I just. Like, here they are and I. I cannot be distracted by anything else besides Robbie and Leanna."
— Sabrina Limone (09:24)

The culmination of surveillance, combined with strategic questioning and emerging evidence, leads to Jonathan's apprehension while Sabrina remains blissfully unaware, attending her children's school.

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Conclusion and Insights

"David and Bathsheba" serves as a compelling study of how personal relationships, faith, and deceit intertwine within the framework of a criminal investigation. The episode masterfully illustrates the challenges of discerning truth amidst layers of manipulation and the human psyche's complexity. Through detailed storytelling and evocative quotes, Dateline Originals captivates listeners, offering profound insights into the nature of guilt, forgiveness, and the relentless pursuit of justice.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Jonathan Hearn:
  "He appeared to be very panicked." (02:35)

• Josh Mankiewicz:
  "What does he say in that phone call? Does it look like me?" (02:37)

• Jonathan Hearn:
  "Some of the questions that the detectives asked me just like how much of our story to tell kind of thing." (02:50)

• Sabrina Limone:
  "I feel God lifting me and, like, carry me, you know. It is. It's amazing." (07:00)

• Jonathan Hearn:
  "We have been looking at a bunch of people and every person we've looked at has turned out to be not involved." (10:37)

• Jonathan Hearn:
  "God, please help the DNA thing to be the way in which we are kept from having our dirty laundry aired." (15:07)

• Jonathan Hearn:
  "I love you and can't wait to be with you." (30:55)

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Timestamp References

For ease of reference, here are the timestamps mentioned above:

• 00:00
• 02:35
• 02:37
• 02:50
• 07:00
• 09:24
• 10:37
• 15:07
• 17:16
• 21:02
• 27:58
• 30:55
• 34:45

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Closing Thoughts

"Deadly Mirage - Ep. 4: David and Bathsheba" is a testament to Dateline Originals' prowess in unraveling multifaceted true crime stories. By interweaving personal testimonies, forensic advancements, and thematic storytelling, the episode not only chronicles a murder investigation but also delves deep into the moral quandaries faced by those involved. Whether you're a true crime aficionado or a casual listener, this episode promises an engaging and thought-provoking experience.

Transcript

[Josh Mankiewicz]

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[Jonathan Hearn]

He appeared to be very panicked.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

What does he say in that phone call? Does it look like me? You'll hear Jonathan and Sabrina's intimate conversations as they try to match wits with the detective investigating them.

[Jonathan Hearn]

Some of the questions that the detectives asked me just like how much of our story to tell kind of thing. Well, yeah, they were asking personal questions about Rob and I. Did you guys have an open marriage?

[Josh Mankiewicz]

And you'll hear how two murder suspects turned to the Bible for guidance and absolution as the pressure mounted.

[Jonathan Hearn]

And there's just hour after hour in.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Which they're playing David and Bathsheba, in which they're literally reading these passages, trying to come to grips with what happened. I mean, it's just bizarre.

[Jonathan Hearn]

It's absolutely bizarre.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

I'm Josh Mankiewicz and this is Deadly Mirage, a podcast from Dateline. Episode 4 David and Bathsheba as Sabrina Limone walked to the Kern County Sheriff's Office that morning for a scheduled meeting with the detective investigating her husband's murder, Sabrina must have felt as if she'd already put in a full day. She'd been up since before dawn getting the kids dressed and fed and off to school. Then there was the two hour drive she and her sister had made from Silver Lakes to the Kern County Sheriff's Department in Bakersfield. Inside the low slung building, Sabrina followed Detective Randall Meyer down a bright hallway to a small interview room straight out of a TV drama.

[Jonathan Hearn]

Before we be going.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

No sooner had the detective settled into his chair then a man wearing a blue shirt walked in. Sabrina had never seen him before.

[Jonathan Hearn]

I just want to tell you he's been working really hard on space. Okay? He's. I was just looking at some stats a minute ago. We've followed up close to 100 leads. I just wanted to come here and.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Tell you we all care about this case.

[Jonathan Hearn]

It's important to us and Randall's been working, working diligently on it. It's so nice to meet you. I can't even tell you how grateful my heart is. Two months.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Once the supervisor left, Detective Meyer reminded Sabrina their meeting was being and that she could leave anytime she wanted. Sabrina nodded and Meyers started the interview.

[Jonathan Hearn]

First. I wanted to talk to you about my meeting with the crime lab this morning.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

With that, Myers scooted closer to the table and started outlining the way a lab would analyze the fictitious DNA sample that he told Sabrina was found at the scene of her husband's murder. There was a company called Cybergenetics, he said, that analyzes DNA with unbelievable precision.

[Jonathan Hearn]

We're actually the first county in the United States that started using the software.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

And since we started using it, some.

[Jonathan Hearn]

Other counties have, and they've actually solved some cases and stuff they're working on.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Sabrina sat and nodded as the detective went on and on about alleles and lines and patterns. Scientific gibberish she couldn't really follow.

[Jonathan Hearn]

Was amazing.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

The mixing is that it is.

[Jonathan Hearn]

It is simply amazing. It's beyond my mind. That's why I'm just like, what? Yeah, I need everything explained for this Simple, Sure. This simple mind.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

The detective kept saying this was a huge deal and it might help them identify the killer. Sabrina, who'd been leaning across the table and craning her neck to follow the detective's drawings, seemed to understand.

[Jonathan Hearn]

And so this lab will send that out and like you said, it'll ping in the system if there was already someone arrested. Arrested.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Then the detective switched gears and said he just wanted to go back over her history with Rob Limone, starting from the very beginning.

[Jonathan Hearn]

Met him in Prescott, Arizona, and we were. We were young.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Sabrina talked about Rob's job with the railroad and moving to California.

[Jonathan Hearn]

He worked with Rover for 14 years.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

She talked about their wedding and the children and the fact that Rob had been killed two days before their 14th wedding anniversary.

[Jonathan Hearn]

Do you at least have some friends that have been helping you through this and stuff? Oh, my gosh. I've had it. I've had so many friends that have been helping me a lot. I'm so grateful. I feel God lifting me and, like, carry me, you know? It is. It's amazing.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

She told the detective the last time she spoke with Rob was around lunchtime on the day he died.

[Jonathan Hearn]

He called me. He was on a train. He was on this million dollar train or whatever. It's like. Like ups. It was sitting on it because it was broken, whatever. And he had to wait for something.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Okay.

[Jonathan Hearn]

Somebody else to show up. Something.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Rob told her he'd had a tuna melt for lunch and that he intended to take a nap once he'd finished the repair and was back at the shop.

[Jonathan Hearn]

Rob would say, this is such a good gig. They have cable. He'd watch tv. He'd go to all the shops. I think everybody knew him at Cahby.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

After a short break in which Meyer left the room to consult with investigators who were watching in another room, he returned and asked Sabrina again about her marriage.

[Jonathan Hearn]

What type of marriage do you guys have? A good marriage.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Meyer leaned back in his swivel chair and kept his eyes locked on hers.

[Jonathan Hearn]

How about you? While you guys were married, did you ever have an extra marital affair or boyfriend or anything? No. You said you always liked to party a lot. We just like to have fun. We did a lot of stuff. Like to go to the river. Which river? Like the Colorado River. Did all adult trips.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

The detective rubbed his chin and briefly paused before asking a question that seemed to catch Sabrina off guard.

[Jonathan Hearn]

Did you guys have an open relationship? No. No. I just heard some rumors out there. Yeah, I mean it. I know how rumors go. Sure. And I know that that's probably how we were viewed by maybe some. I think we typically call it swinging. Yeah, no swing or to.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Her partying days were in the past. Sabrina said. Then, looking the detective in the eye, she addressed him by his first name, as if she were a politician who'd gone through media training.

[Jonathan Hearn]

I feel my purpose in the responsibility of taking care of my kids, Randall. I just. Like, here they are and I. I cannot be distracted by anything else besides Robbie and Leanna. And how am I gonna, you know, raise them?

[Josh Mankiewicz]

With that, the detective excused himself again to confer with the other investigators. When he returned, he gave Sabrina the number for free counseling and asked if there was anything else she wanted to tell him.

[Jonathan Hearn]

I have nothing at all. I just. Like I said, every time I talk to you, like, I don't even want to, I just. I want. I just don't get it, you know, it feels just unreal. Like, how could that have happened? You know, kind of thing. Like, I have no idea how that could happen to Robert because he was. He was quick on his feet, you know, we may never really know exactly why and what happened. Is there anything you can tell me? I've heard you guys caught somebody. We've been looking at a bunch of people and we. Every person we've looked at has turned out to be not involved.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

And that was that. The detective stood and thanked Sabrina for coming in. She thanked him again.

[Jonathan Hearn]

Oh, Detective, thank you so much.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

And gave the detective a big hug.

[Jonathan Hearn]

Something comes up, let me know. I appreciate your. Everything that you've done.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

There seemed to be a lightness in her step as Sabrina Limone pushed through the big glass doors of the building and stepped into the bright afternoon sun. Things had gone well. It had been nothing like the grilling Jonathan had warned her about. As she was driving home through the Tehachapi pass, Sabrina's phone lit up.

[Jonathan Hearn]

Hello? Hello?

[Josh Mankiewicz]

It was Jonathan.

[Jonathan Hearn]

Hey, how's it going? Hey. Good, good. I was just calling to let you know that there's a bunch of people praying for you. Just wanted to see how your day was doing. Oh, thank you so much. It's good. My sister and I are on our way home right now.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

With her sister Julie sitting right there beside her, Sabrina didn't seem to want to go into much detail about her meeting with the detective.

[Jonathan Hearn]

Everything, you know, things. Good, I'll talk to you. Maybe I'll talk to you this evening. Are you going to be around?

[Josh Mankiewicz]

When she called him back later to arrange for a full in person debrief, she said Some of Detective Meyer's questions had been. Been unsettling.

[Jonathan Hearn]

Some of the questions that the detectives asked me just like how much of our story to tell kind of things. Well, yeah, and how much of Rob and I started. I mean, they, they were asking personal questions about Rob and I, you know, did you guys have an open marriage?

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Jonathan did not like the sound of that.

[Jonathan Hearn]

Yeah, I'll talk to you about that tonight.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

That was one of those conversations he preferred to have in person.

[Jonathan Hearn]

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[Josh Mankiewicz]

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[Jonathan Hearn]

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[Josh Mankiewicz]

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[Jonathan Hearn]

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[Josh Mankiewicz]

Firefighter Jonathan Hearn had been off duty the day Sabrina drove to Bakersfield to meet with Detective Meyer. A lot of 24 year olds might have slept late or taken a ride on their motorcycle. Jonathan did not. He stayed home pacing and praying just as he had told Sabrina he would.

[Jonathan Hearn]

I'm just gonna be doing stuff here today. Being your prayer warrior today. Back here. Thank you so much.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Thinking about Sybrina's meeting with Detective Meyer had been stressful. And the two room garage apartment Jonathan rented from his grandparents probably felt smaller than usual. As if the green and maroon accented walls were closing in. If not for that irritating detective and his murder investigation, Jonathan probably thought he and Sabrina would have been well on their way to living the lives God intended for them. Serving his purpose just the way they'd always said it would be.

[Jonathan Hearn]

We have an understanding of this purpose we've been given. Yes, for sure. For sure.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

The wiretaps were like a window into Jonathan Hearn's mind. For instance, the detective learned that God's purpose almost always lined up perfectly with what Jonathan wanted. And when it did not, well, Jonathan seemed to Think that was what forgiveness was for?

[Jonathan Hearn]

God, please help the DNA thing to be the way in which we are kept from having our dirty laundry aired. God, we have been sinners and we have cheated, but, God, you're a savior.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

The way Jonathan saw it, everything had been going according to plan. That is, until the detectives started calling every day with updates. After Rob's death, he and Sabrina had brought their relationship out of the shadows, laundered it, and presented it as something new and natural without a trace of dishonesty. Jonathan's younger sister Emily had gone with Jonathan to Sabrina's home for that initial sympathy call and later acted as a kind of chaperone and witness to their blooming romance.

[Jonathan Hearn]

I think that Jonathan probably was initiating the few visits that we had, but it didn't feel unnatural or forced.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

That's the voice of Emily Hearn.

[Jonathan Hearn]

I just had such a warm spot in my heart for the family, for the kids. I remember taking Liliana to her little Girl Scouts thing one day while I was there.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Emily and Sabrina got along so well, in fact, that Jonathan likely imagined they'd make good sisters in law someday. I spent the night there with him.

[Jonathan Hearn]

One evening, and we just crashed on her couches. It was probably three or four in the morning that we had finished up dinner and talking and getting the kids to bed and stuff. And so we were gonna go to a church that she had attended with her family the next day. And so we just, you know, spent the night on our couches.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Sabrina had met his mom, and with the holidays coming, Jonathan no doubt anticipated introducing Sabrina to the rest of the family. As for Sabrina's people, well, he'd met her parents and sister at Sabrina's house. Shortly after Rob died, they came over.

[Jonathan Hearn]

It was him and his sister Emily.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

That's Julie Cordova, Sabrina's sister. How'd Sabrina introduce him? These are my friends that I've met at Costco. Jonathan had been eager to make a good impression that day and strike just the right note of respect, sympathy, and support. That first day. He must have said two or three prayers when we were there.

[Jonathan Hearn]

And I thought, well, you know, that's.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Prena's Christian support or whatever. Her faith is so strong.

[Jonathan Hearn]

And him and Emily would pray, and he would keep praying.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

In an effort to impress Sabrina's folks and also demonstrate his honorable intentions, Jonathan volunteered to cook dinner for them.

[Jonathan Hearn]

The second time I saw him, he was cooking in the kitchen, and my.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Parents were going over. He may have thought that gesture made a good impression. It did not. Was I uncomfortable with it? Yes, because that was Robert's place. You know, Jonathan had known all along that taking Rob's place and winning over Sabrina's family would not happen quickly. Even so, he was committed and convinced he and Sabrina would be married soon. And why was he so sure? Well, because he felt it was God's will. I think he just wowed her or whatever with his faith in his beliefs in God. You see, God had a course mapped out for Jonathan Hearn. He might be living the cramped and cluttered life of a 24 year old now, but he was certain God had big plans for his future.

[Jonathan Hearn]

I love you and can't wait to be with you. So I want to. I want to be everything that I need to be to prepare for that.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Jonathan knew Sabrina stood to collect $300,000 and perhaps more than that in death benefits from the railroad. He knew that kind of money could come in handy if he and Sabrina married. But he told her he wasn't thinking about the money anymore. God would take care of that.

[Jonathan Hearn]

You know, I feel like I was like, we talked about money stuff and I feel like I was kind of sort of being selfish, anticipating a certain, you know, ease or anticipating a certain, like, oh, well, this will be super easy because this will happen and this will happen. And it's like, no, let God control it.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

There were times during Jonathan's talks with Sabrina when it seemed every fifth word was either love or God, prayer or purpose. And the Bible, well, that was an unending source of inspiration. Psalms 51 was a favorite.

[Jonathan Hearn]

I've been reading Psalms. The Psalms are so good. The Psalms are so good because David, yes. Is a lot like you and I, Sabrina.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

The cops in the wire room perked up when they heard that Detective Meyer knew that Old Testament story of adultery and death as well as Jonathan did. And basically with that story, King David finds a woman very beautiful, ends up being Bathsheba. The story of two people who have an affair. Right.

[Jonathan Hearn]

He is a regular guy, but he loves God. He was someone who committed adultery. It says in the Bible that David was a man after God's own heart.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

In David and Bathsheba, they have an affair. She gets pregnant and David has her husband killed. But she's not involved. David's later forgiven for that. I think.

[Jonathan Hearn]

Yes.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

The parallels were far from perfect. Even forgiven sins have consequences. Jonathan seemed to have missed that part of scripture.

[Jonathan Hearn]

Like God really liked him. He was like one of God's favorite people ever.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

As he listened in, the detective felt Jonathan's affinity for that powerful Bible Story was essentially a confession. Is that sort of how you thought they perceived what had happened? That Jonathan had had Rob killed and expected later to be forgiven?

[Jonathan Hearn]

Yes.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Through their conversations, they believed they were.

[Jonathan Hearn]

Doing what was God's work. And they talked about that many times.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

You ever hear anybody use a story out of the Bible to justify having an affair and killing the other person's spouse? That was a. In the days after Sabrina Limone's latest sit down with Detective Meyer, the cops in the wire room remained on high alert, waiting for either Jonathan or Sabrina to slip up and say something clear and unambiguous about the murder of Rob.

[Jonathan Hearn]

We were selfish, we did sin, but we have God and we have grace.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

That never happened. Instead, Jonathan and Sabrina behaved as if the murder investigation was behind them. That Sunday, Sabrina brought Jonathan to church along with her kids and his sister Emily. It felt as if a new blended family was being forged for Jason and Kelly Bernatine, who'd initially told Detective Meyer about Sabrina's affair with Jonathan and who were among the first to suspect him of murder. That was a demoralizing development.

[Jonathan Hearn]

She took him to church with his sister again and was introducing him to. To our friends.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

And I was freaking out.

[Jonathan Hearn]

I thought, we cannot have Rob's murderer around our friends and their kids.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

The next day was Monday, November 17th, and it marked the three month anniversary of Rob Limone's murder. At 6:34 that Monday evening, Meyer called Sabrina's home phone and left a voicemail. The detective told Sabrina the re release of security camera video of the man on the motorcycle had worked as planned. He said a secret witness had just phoned the sheriff's department and said they thought they recognized the man on the motorcycle.

[Jonathan Hearn]

I provided Sabrina with the actual description that matched Jonathan.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Tall white male, possibly riding a motorcycle.

[Jonathan Hearn]

When the murder occurred and with a.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Possible name of John. Meaning that if that were true, you'd be getting close.

[Jonathan Hearn]

Yes.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

You were playing Sabrina and Jonathan like a couple of violins.

[Jonathan Hearn]

Yes, that's what we were doing.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

I'm surprised you didn't have sheet music.

[Jonathan Hearn]

We had a lot of music, but.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

It wasn't actually on a sheet. True to form, Sybrina called Jonathan at the fire station as soon as she heard that message.

[Jonathan Hearn]

Hello? Hey, I'm not sure what's going on, but Detective Meyer called and he's going to call me back.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Sabrina told Jonathan a secret witness had apparently come forward after seeing the re released video. The police didn't know who the witness was, but thought the information sounded credible.

[Jonathan Hearn]

Tall white male was Leaving on a motorcycle. Someone that knows Rob by the name of John. John J, O N. There was a.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Long pause on the other end of the line as Jonathan Hearn processed what he was hearing. Then he said, someone's trying to not, Gee, great news, not Hallelujah. I hope they catch the guy so we can get on with living our lives of purpose. No, what he said was, someone is trying to frame us. And who might that someone be? Well, Jonathan had a pretty good idea. He thought it was Jason and Kelly Bernatine.

[Jonathan Hearn]

I can't imagine Kelly doing that. I feel like Kelly and Jason would do that just to put it out there. Just because they don't like me. But they would mess up my chances. Like to be. You know what I mean? Like. Yeah, I guess they would. Maybe.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

There was just one thing. Jonathan didn't think Kelly or Jason even knew he owned a motorcycle.

[Jonathan Hearn]

Could it be Seen a motorcycle there? I bet you. No. I don't know.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Like a quiz show contestant who's been stumped, Jonathan decided to ask a friend and called the man upstairs for help.

[Jonathan Hearn]

God, you've given us a purpose. I think it's somebody trying to frame me because of this affair. Gun. And please keep us safe.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

At times during the call, Jonathan and Sabrina both seemed to understand the detective was throwing out some bait, toying with them just to see what they would.

[Jonathan Hearn]

Say to a tall, skinny white guy driving away on a motorcycle. A John New Rob. That just sounds like Detective Meyer trying to make something up. Honestly, why would he tell you that other than to record the conversation?

[Josh Mankiewicz]

He was 100% correct. And yet the two continued to discuss the investigation on a line they now had ample reason to believe was tapped.

[Jonathan Hearn]

I wouldn't be surprised if they're listening to us right now.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

There were likely more than a few smiles and knowing glances exchanged back in the wire room when the eavesdroppers heard that one. Remember, please. What they had not heard, at least so far, was anything like a confession. An explicit comment that could be used to convict at a murder trial. Proof of guilt. What they did hear through the bad cell reception was a creeping sense of dread. Both Jonathan and Sabrina seemed to sense they could be arrested at any moment.

[Jonathan Hearn]

I don't think they're gonna come tonight, do you? I would say it's a possibility, but I honestly. I don't know.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

No doubt they were feeling the heat. So the detective decided to amp up the pressure. He sent one more text.

[Jonathan Hearn]

Hold on, Detective Meyer. Okay, we think we have Buckeye. Do you recognize this person on the motorcycle.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

In this high stakes game of nerves, the detective had just played his last card. He'd sent Sabrina a still frame from a security camera video, the one from that pilot gas station in Kramer Junction. It showed a man on a motorcycle stopping at the gas pumps about an hour after Rob Lemon was killed.

[Jonathan Hearn]

A black helmet. What are you wearing? Shorts. Does it. Tan shorts And a tank top. A black tank top and a mask. It looks like. Is it. Is it like a good quality picture? No, it looks like the whole face is covered.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

It was then that Jonathan said something odd.

[Jonathan Hearn]

If they're just using like a picture of me that they randomly found, if it's me, don't be like, oh, no. Because they could just be checking like, oh, it looks like the face is covered.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

If Sabrina wondered why Jonathan would think the man in the photo was him. She didn't say anything. She was focused on why the detective thought the man wearing the shorts and tank top was the man who'd killed her husband.

[Jonathan Hearn]

Let me call him right now.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

The detective, of course, was expecting her call. He didn't have much to tell her, only that the fuzzy still frame he texted her had come from the security camera video at the pilot station at Kramer's Junction. Though Meyer had that video for weeks, he told Sabrina it had just come in and was being sent out to experts for enhancement. When Sabrina told Jonathan what the detective said, he told her he could see the writing on the wall.

[Jonathan Hearn]

Clearly, I see that they want to look into me. Clearly they want to look into us.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

According to Jonathan, the best thing they could do now was try to get some rest and then start looking for a lawyer first thing in the morning.

[Jonathan Hearn]

We want our lawyer there from the beginning because we don't want to just let him grab us for a long time before we have a lawyer. And then after the fact, you get a lawyer who's now already like two steps behind.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

Jonathan and Sabrina had been on the phone for nearly an hour when he offered up one last plea for deliverance from a reckoning he feared was arriving with the sunrise.

[Jonathan Hearn]

Through this, through our adultery, you have brought us to repentance. Help us to not be taught, for this, to not be destroyed, for this. I love you, Sabrina. I love you too, John. So much.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

It's unlikely Sabrina or Jonathan slept well that night. They probably tossed and turned their minds, replaying recent conversations and events in a Constant Loop. At 6am the next morning, they were at it again. They spent more than an hour rehashing theories of who the detective's secret witness Might be. They prayed and they agreed that if asked, Sabrina should admit she knew Jonathan. And Jonathan told her exactly what words to use.

[Jonathan Hearn]

I know, I know.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

I know. I know that it's not him. When Sabrina checked In with Jonathan 90 minutes later, it seemed the time for talking hypotheticals was over.

[Jonathan Hearn]

Hello? Hey. Hey. Are you okay? Yeah. They're down. They're down here. How do you help? You know, it was obvious. There was like, someone posted at a corner.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

For Jonathan, it was as clear as the desert sky. His life as he'd known it, as he had imagined it might one day be, was over.

[Jonathan Hearn]

I'm thinking it'll probably be sooner than later. I would appreciate your prayers. And I'm gonna keep going to keep praying because that's. That's all we can do.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

It turned out an arrest was not as imminent as Jonathan thought. Minutes passed that probably felt like weeks. The watchers down the street were perched like birds of prey, waiting. An hour passed. Still, they didn't move. A little after nine, Jonathan told Sabrina they should use their free time while they still had it to look for an attorney.

[Jonathan Hearn]

I've always assumed only guilty people get lawyers. And now I'm suddenly realizing the well funded government system is against you and me right now. Yeah. And they are, you know, sitting down here watching. They're listening to this conversation. They're trying to put together a case to go through all this work just to tell a story, paint us in a bad light and put us in jail. And that's all. They want the wife. They want the wife? What's that? That's what they want, the wife. You know, like, that's so crazy. Like, I know. I can't even believe the hurt in my life. I've only watched it on tv.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

That was the last time Sabrina Limone spoke with Jonathan Hearn. Shortly after the call ended, the watchers made their move. Jonathan was arrested while sitting in a fire truck. And Sabrina, well, she went to her children's school for a parent teacher conference, blissfully unaware that her lover was in custody or that she was under surveillance. Coming up next on Deadly Mirage. You guys didn't know anything about the poisoning until Jonathan gave that to you? That's correct.

[Jonathan Hearn]

I put the arsenic on some meat and gave it to the dog to see what would happen.

[Josh Mankiewicz]

They actually ended up giving it to Rob? Yes. Deadly Mirage is a production of Dateline and NBC News. Tim Beacham is the producer. Brian Drew, Kelly Lawdean and Marshall Housefeld are audio editors. Carson Cummins is associate producer. Adam Gorfayne is co executive producer, Paul Ryan is executive producer and Liz Cole is senior executive producer from NBC News. Audio Sound mixing by Katie Lau Bryson Barnes is head of audio production.