“I’m not saying what he did was right, but maybe, that’s all he could do.”
“He could have done more. He obviously had the time to stalk us. I didn’t ask for his money. I’d give it all back if it meant he’d be there for JJ from day one.” It was true. Yes, the money helped, but in the long run, it was a father that JJ needed. She’d instilled in him from a young age that he had a Father in heaven that loved him and would do anything for him. It would be nice for him to have an earthly father to demonstrate the same, though.
“Victoria can’t have children.”
Where had that come from? “What does that have to do with JJ?”
“Think about it. Joe cheated on her. That betrayal cuts deep. But he created a child in that betrayal. A child they had spent years trying to have.”
He was torn between the woman he loved and a child he’d always wanted. He couldn’t have both without hurting someone. Would Victoria have accepted JJ, or would she have resented him? Quinn understood how Joe could have warred with his decision.
She would have worked with him. Allowed visitation, as long as Victoria held no ill feelings for JJ. Would that have been possible?
Curiosity got the better of her. She grabbed her file. There weren’t as many photos of her. The one on top was a strip of pictures of her and Joe in one of those photo booths in the mall. They looked like they were in love. But she had been the only one. Below that was a picture of her and JJ in his cap and gown.
The remainder of her file was paperwork. Bank statements for JJ’s account, her employment records, a credit report, and a background check. Things a person would expect to find in a PI’s file. But why did he have a file like this on her?
“You said you found something.” Reid placed a hand on her shoulder.
“Oh. Yeah.” She shuffled the files to the side and handed him the delivery receipt. “It’s from the delivery company for my envelope. It looks like he shipped something else that day, but I don’t recognize the address.”
Reid frowned. “Whatever it was, it was sent to me.”
She stood, excitement coursing through her. This could be the break they needed. “It has to be related. It can’t be a coincidence that the day before he contacts you to help me, he sends us both packages.” A weight lifted from her shoulders. Maybe, they could find out what was going on and put an end to everything.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
“There’s only one way to findout. Can I borrow your phone?” He hadn’t had a chance to replace his since it had been taken after he’d been knocked unconscious.
Quinn handed the phone to him. He opened the browser and navigated to the delivery company’s website and entered the tracking number. What came back was just what he’d been afraid of. It showed that it had been delivered. Someone had forged his signature and picked up his package. So much for checking IDs.
The search of Joe’s trailer was a dud. They should turn their focus to the list provided by Emily. The funeral would take place in the next day or two. They could question the names on the list while they were in town.
“Can I use your phone to check my voice mail?”
Quinn nodded.
The automated voice told him there was one message from this morning.
“This message is for Reid Lucas. Joe Lockhart said, if something should happen to him, that I should call you. Don’t bother checking caller ID. I’m using a payphone. I’ll call you.” The message ended.
He needed to get a new cell phone—right now. It was too late to go to the provider. He’d have to settle for a cheap phone from a gas station. “I have bad news and what could possibly be good news.”
Quinn slid the phone into her pocket. “Hit me.”
“Someone picked up my package. But I had a voice mail from a man who said Joe told them to call me if he died.”
“Do you think it has something to do with his death or with me and JJ?”
“We won’t know until he calls back. I need to get a new phone and change my voice mail, leaving the new number. Hopefully, whoever he is will call the new number.” He picked up the manila folders and tucked them under his arm. He needed to go through them more closely. He was getting warring vibes about Joe’s character. “Depending on what our mystery caller has to say, I think we should check out the names on the list. Today’s Wednesday. We can spend tomorrow interviewing people, stay the night at my house, and be there for the funeral on Friday or Saturday. I’m sure Victoria will want to have it as soon as she can.”
“Okay.” Her voice was almost as hollow as Victoria’s had been. The pressure was getting to her.
“I’m going to be with you guys every step of the way. I will keep you both safe, okay? Now, let’s get me a new phone and some food.” He drove them to a gas station for a phone and then drove through and got some food.
Quinn distributed it among them at the table in the cabin. Once they all had their food, she turned to JJ. “Do you want to say grace?”
He nodded before closing his eyes and bowing his head. Reid wasn’t a prayer. He couldn’t remember whether he’d ever prayed as an adult. He had memories of his mother praying with him as a child.
