“They’re not going to kill her.She’s safe.And she’s going to stay safe until we can figure this out.We’ve got an actual lead now.All we have to do is snap a picture of Kai or one of the others at this ranch, and we can send it to the police.They won’t be able to ignore it.”
Jem didn’t shake his head.But the tightness of his body was disagreement, even if he didn’t want to show it.
“Do you want to stop?”Tean asked.
“No.No, it’s just so fucking frustrating.I want those assholes to do their job, that’s what I want.”
“Maybe they will.Maybe I’ll call, and they’ll be excited for the tip.”
Jem nodded.“Call them tonight.”
“Do you want me to take Daniel to Rainbow House?
“I got it.”And then, as casually as he could, “Did you reschedule your session with Hudson?”
The sizzle of the pan.
When Jem looked over his shoulder, Tean’s hands were closed at his sides.He must have realized because he relaxed them again, and his voice was even when he said, “I forgot.”
Jem nodded.
“I was dealing with my dad,” Tean said, “and then I started reading River’s notes, and— It’s been nonstop.”
“If you don’t want to keep going to therapy, you can just tell him.”
“I didn’t say I didn’t want to keep going.”
He gave a shrug.But he said, “You’ve missed the last three times.”
“I missed the last three times because we had something for Daniel, and then I was busy at work, and now we’re dealing with a gang of murderers.”Jem turned his attention back to the vegetables, but after a moment, Tean said, “Why are you keeping track of when I do and don’t go to therapy?”
“I’m not keeping track.”
“Yes, you are.”
“I was asking a question.”Jem held up the spatula in surrender.“It’s none of my business.Forget about it.”
Nothing.
He scraped the pan back and forth over the burner, sliding the veggies around.
“I’m going to call that detective,” Tean finally said.
“Great.”Jem kept his gaze on the food.“I’ll take Daniel after dinner.”
“Great.”
Jem’s jaw was tight.But he made himself say over his shoulder, half-plan, half-sideways apology, “If they’re just going to bullshit us, we should go out to the ranch tomorrow.”
Tean nodded.And then he left.
17
“Rules?”Jem said as he pulled to the curb in front of Rainbow House.
Daniel—in full glam now, with glitter on his cheeks, his eyebrows freshly shaped and gelled, and enough eyeliner to make a hooker reach for her beer—gave Jem a look that said,Really?
Jem pressed the lock button for emphasis.“Let’s hear ’em.”
