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“Shit.” I look at Finn, who looks equally as surprised. “He’s not who I was expecting. Is he still supplying her with drugs?”
“Sometimes. But I think he’s found a way to bring her into the mix by making her distribute at the bar she works. He has a few people watching her each night. One regular is the guy that I told you about a few weeks back. At the end of each night, she meets him with a wad of cash.”
“Can we shut it down? Spook him?”
“I have a contact that can make that happen. We’ll put word out that the cops are following her.”
“Do it,” I say.
“Consider it done, but what are you going to do about the money? This guy won’t forgive too easily.”
“I’m not too worried about that. We’ll keep the word circulating that the cops are watching her in rehab. Hopefully, they’ll move on. If not, then she’ll have to figure it out.”
Shake nods before asking, “Out of curiosity, who did you expect?”
“Last time we know of her owing someone money, it was a guy named Brad Jones.”
He pulls out his laptop and starts typing, as Finn and I look over the rest of Trey’s file. Thad joins us, coming from his meeting with the Social Worker at the Drug and Rehabilitation Center across the street. His mood has shifted slightly since our drive up this morning. I’m hoping that attitude stays when we meet with Serena next.
“I have several Brad Jones’ in the area, but only one that has a record for drugs. Looks like he’s been clean for five years. Nothing. Not even a speeding ticket.” Shake shows me the screen, and I recognize the address as the same one from my own research.
“Interesting,” is all I respond.
“Good luck with everything. I’ll keep you updated on my end.” He packs up again and shakes our hands before leaving.
“Tell me what you’re thinking,” Finn says, sitting back and crossing his ar
ms across his chest.
“That fucker may be clean, but he’s still gonna pay.”
An evil grin spreads across his face as he nods. “Good.”
“She’s here,” Thad announces. We watch Serena get out of her car and walk toward our table.
“Thad, I thought we were meeting privately to discuss our daughter.” Her voice trembles slightly.
“Sit down now,” he growls.
Her eyes grow wide in anger, but she slides her ass into the chair.
“You decide to make a scene, I’ve got witnesses. Learned the hard way not to play your games. You want help for Natalie, then listen closely.”
Her eyes meet mine and narrow a bit but then widen in understanding.
Yeah, you’re done fucking with Ember.
“Here’s what’s going to happen. You’re going to encourage Natalie to enter the ninety-day program as an inpatient. You cannot check her out. While she’s there, you figure out how to keep her sober and clean when she gets out, because there’s only one shot here. This is both your chances.”
“We’re supposed to be here discussing options.”
“We are. There are two options. One is rehab. The other, nothing. Seems like I’m being pretty generous.”
“Generous? She’s your daughter!”
“And that’s exactly why I’m here. This is me being a dad, taking care of her. Not enabling her to continue on the path she’s on.”
“How the hell do you suggest I talk her into this? She’s going to refuse.”
