“Yes. You can’t just plow into things without knowledge. That’s how people get killed.”
“But you did just that for Joe. And JJ and me.” She lowered her voice. Joe was dead.Did he not think things through? Was he too quick to act and that’s why he’s dead?
“There are people that you throw the rule book out the window for. I trust Joe with my life. Owe him my life, that is. He needed me. I didn’t ask.” Reid clenched his jaw. He was a tense man. He’d just given her an insight into his and Joe’s relationship.
“Let’s start thinking, then. Why would Joe call you? Do you work for him? Can you go back to the office and get his notes?”
He chuckled. The man chuckled at her questions. Indignation rose up. “What’s so funny about my questions?”
“Sorry. You just made it sound like a boring old desk job. He has an office, but it’s doubtful he left notes there. Our notepads are up here.” He tapped his temple. “What notes he wrote down would be in shorthand and kept close to him. Either on his body or in his trailer. And we don’t know where that is.”
She stared out the window. He was right. Even if they could find his trailer, the police had probably already been there and taken everything.
“I’m done.” JJ came into the kitchen, soaking wet on top, water trickling from his hair, and his shorts were on crooked.
“JJ, get in there and dry your body off.” Quinn pointed to the bathroom.
Reid couldn’t help but laugh.
“Don’t encourage him.” Quinn gave him the stink eye and then smiled.
He waved his hands. “Never.”
“Seriously, we’re just going to sit here until the police call?”
“Momma. I’m bored.” JJ came up and laid his head on her shoulder. His hair was still a little too wet, but he’d dried off his torso.
“Sorry, kiddo.” She gave him a kiss on the forehead.
“Can I play that math game on your phone?”
Quinn dug her phone from her purse. She found his math game and handed the phone to him. If his nose was in the game, maybe he wouldn’t hear too much of her and Reid’s conversation.
“We’ve already established my connection with Joe. You and I are connected because of Joe. The bad guys are after us because of Joe. He is the answer, but he’s dead.” She let out an exasperated breath.
“The answer is going to lie in the connection between you and him.”
“Why do you say that? I haven’t seen or heard from him in seven years.” She crossed her arms over her chest, tired of beating this dead horse.
“I know you’re frustrated, but there’s a link there. We just have to find it.” Reid glanced at her before pulling his phone from his pocket and making a call. “Hey, Emily.”
Quinn couldn’t hear the other side of the conversation.
“I’m here now. Look. Can you email me Joe’s black hat list?” Silence. “Has he had any trouble with any clients recently?” More silence. “Great. Thanks.”
“Who is Emily?”
“She’s Joe’s part-time secretary. She’s going to send me the list.”
“Hello?” JJ spoke from the living room.
“What, baby?” She hadn’t heard him trying to get her attention. She’d been too distracted.
“Yes, Mommy’s here,” he said.
Quinn whipped around in her seat, and her muscles protested against the sudden movement.
“Hold on, and I’ll give her the phone.” JJ started to pull the phone from his ear but put it back. “Okay. Bye.” He ended the call.
