“Now we know why Stephen Ulmstead wanted that bank account from Zach.” Ted said. “But why did the brothers kill him?”
“I think I can answer that.” Maddie turned to Zach. “After you got out, I overheard things. The guy in the suit sells handsome young men to rich buyers. Stephen was planning to give you to him to pay off his debt.”
Colton's stomach dropped to his balls. “Sell? Like sex traffic?”
“That’s what I got from all the yelling. Stephen was in a bad way. Zach got away, he didn’t have the money, so the bastard gave him Bradley instead.”
“‘Gave him’?” Ted asked. “You mean Ulmstead sold him?”
“I don’t have the particulars.” She seemed more unsettled than he’s seen her so far. “Bradley came back when Stephen was talking to you. He didn’t look good, and he wouldn’t talk to anyone but Kellan. I didn’t hear what they said, but when it was over, Kellan and Rocky looked fit to kill.”
And they had. It seemed to Colton like she could’ve told him this when they were talking at the station. “You knew Stephen planned to pimp Zach to pay for his debt, gave the guy his son, and you didn’t think to tell me that when we spoke?”
“First, you didn’t ask,” Maddie said, and Colton could hear theassholeagain in her voice. “Second, I didn’t fully trust you. You all but arrested me this morning with no explanation, and I hadn’t seen Zach. I wasn’t volunteering anything until I knew he was safe. By that point, Stephen was dead.”
“Who’s dead?” Momma walked in, hair freshly colored, nails and toes bright pink, and a Walmart bag in her hand. She swepther gaze around the room. “I get my hair done and pick up a few things for you, and the entire world goes to hell.”
Momma always made everything about her.
She also had the shittiest timing.
