howard ashleman.hunch howard might know more than he was letting on, and suggested that fran, who had experience with these types of cases, talk to howard. so they met at this restaurant. what were your first impressions? oh, he was charming. he was very cordial, very polite. we wanted to understand what his last encounter with james was. andrea canning: once again, howard gave the same story he told the missing persons unit. but to fran, the way he answered her questions was a little strange. fran funderburg: sometimes he's very forthcoming. and other times, there's a long pause, as though he's thinking of his answer. so that did make us concerned about how truthful he was actually being. did you ever ask him, did you have anything to do with james's disappearance? absolutely. what did he say? no. andrea canning: so they wrapped up the meeting, which ended as warmly as it started. when he left, we embraced. and i said, hang in there. when the police come to you, cooperate. and they'll be done with yo