Well it's not going to be Bernice from the supermarket. He's been supplied exculpatory information credible enough for him to return and verify its veracity. This is not the time for empty promises; this is the time to put an end to this charade. Unfortunately we now have this tedious brinksmanship stand-off, with HCW apparently refusing to disclose his evidence for investigative purposes and Fulscher now in a position that, if he does have such information, then he'd be a fool as a defence lawyer to disclose it before charges are formalised.
I don't think it's a bluff. At the very least its impact is being overblown, but at best it essentially fingers someone else, or someone's confirmed his alibi and it's been verified to his satifaction.
It is not a charade.
It is a very serious investigation which is horrendously expensive in time - personnel - and emotional resources before there is even any consideration of the financial outlay to be considered.
It is an investigation into the underbelly of criminal activity of which thankfully most of us are blissfully unaware. But most of all it is an investigation into the disappearance of a little girl. Which may be the last chance for those who love and hope for her to find out what has happened to her.
Definitely not a charade ... my opinion but also an indisputable fact.