“Look, I don’t threaten them, okay?Sometimes we work out an alternate method of payment.”
“Ugh.”
“They seem to enjoy it.”
“Does your father know you’re blackmailing women for sex?”Ari asked.Seemed Echo had sent more intel over.
Levins paled in answer, and it wasn’t just because his blood supply was impaired.
“I see.His dad owns CL Collections,” Ari added for Jez’s benefit.“The company specialises in buying old debt for cents on the dollar and strong-arming struggling families into paying.Tucker here was studying at Princeton before he dropped out.”
“Let me guess, he was a legacy admission?”
“I played baseball,” he said sulkily.“I tore a rotator cuff.”
“And now Daddy makes you work in the family business in return for room and board?”
“Better than working like a dog on Wall Street.”
“Who are you kidding?You’re not smart enough for Wall Street.”
Sophy raised a hand.“Uh, speaking of dogs, Jessalyn’s dog escaped, and she went to look for him.I’m not sure if he might still be missing.”
“She did what?”
“The gate was open.”
Jez turned to Ari, who’d been the last person to leave the house.“Did you leave the gate open?”
“No, I did not.”
Fuck.“Call her.”
“She isn’t answering,” Sophy said.“The call cut out, and when I tried again, it went to voicemail.But I think someone’s there helping her—I heard a man’s voice in the background.”
Double fuck.
“What did he say?”
“Just ‘Hello, Jessalyn,’ and that was it.”
“And what did she say?”
“Nothing.It sounded like she dropped the phone?”
“Call Dawson,” Jez said.
“Dawson’s at the grocery store.”
Triple fuck.
“Okay, get the car.”Jez tossed Ari the key.“Not your car, my car.Meet me out front.”
Ari was smart enough not to question the order.As she jogged out the door, Jez let her gaze bore into Tucker and set out the next steps.
“When we leave, you’re going to ride your motorcycle straight to the nearest police station, and you’re going to tell them what you told me.And after that, you’re going to get in touch with one of the podcasters whipping up a frenzy around Amie’s death, and you’re going to give them an exclusive interview.”
“Why would I want to do all that?”
