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“I never said Fleming Corporation was my client,” he said.
“Well, then, that makes your job a little easier,” I said. “The privilege doesn’t apply.”
“That’s neither here nor there.” Jolly cleared his throat. “I have no obligation to tell you anything.”
Jonah stood, his eyes dark and serious, his nostrils flaring. “Let’s cut to the chase here. Dr. Carmichael was held captive last week on a property owned by Fleming Corporation.”
“Ma’am, I’m sorry for any hardship you’ve endured, but I don’t know anything about that.”
“That’s because I was able to keep it off the news,” Jonah said. “For Dr. Carmichael’s privacy. She’s a renowned psychotherapist here in Grand Junction.”
“Look,” I said. “We’re just trying to figure out who did this to me. You’re our only lead.”
Mr. Jolly stood and came from behind his desk. “Then I’m afraid your only lead is a dead end. I’m going to have to ask you to leave now.”
Jonah tensed, and for a moment, I feared he was going to do something he might regret. But he stood and smiled. “Thank you very much for your time. We will be in touch.”
We walked quickly out of his office, down the hallway, through the reception area, and out the door. Jonah said nothing during the elevator ride, and I waited until we were clear of the building before I spoke.
“He’s hiding something,” I said. “I have to be good at reading people in my business, and I usually know a liar when I see one.”
“Agreed,” Jonah said. “If the corporation isn’t a client, he’s not bound by any ethical obligation not to disclose the information we want. The fact that he won’t means he’s either part of the corporation or he’s being well paid to keep quiet.”
“I guess it’s on to see Dr. Cates,” I said.
“We’re not done with this Jolly fellow yet. We just have to figure out how to approach the situation. If he’s being paid to keep quiet, I can pay him to talk.”
I swallowed. “Jonah, I don’t want you to spend all your money trying to figure this out.”
“Melanie, my love, I couldn’t spend all my money in three lifetimes. You don’t need to worry about that.”
I shook my head and smiled. “You are some kind of wonderful, you know that?”
“I’m far from wonderful,” he said. “But trust me when I say I would do absolutely anything for you.” He threaded his fingers through mine as we walked to his car.
Chapter Thirty–One
Jonah
Melanie wanted to go to the hospital and check on Mrs. Cates, so we headed there first. We were in and out quickly, Melanie getting an update from the nurse on duty. Dr. Cates wasn’t there, so we drove to the address of the townhome he had rented in the city.
On the way, something occurred to me. “You don’t suppose they would’ve brought Gina’s old Eldorado out here to Grand Junction from their home in Denver, do you?”
“Good point. I wouldn’t think so. So that means—”
“How did they know it was stolen?” I finished. “The police said Dr. Cates had reported it stolen a few days prior to your escape, right?”
“As I understand it, yes.”
I pulled up into the parking lot in front of the townhome. Melanie sat still, staring straight ahead.
“Are you okay?” I asked her.
She nodded. “Just a little…nervous, I guess. I’m about to face the man who probably was my attacker.”
“Something to keep in mind, Melanie.”
“What?”
