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“You’re probably wondering why we’re here, Uncle,” I said.
“Nah. I know why you’re here. You want information. Information I’ve already told you I can’t give you.”
Melanie’s gaze was focused on Larry. She was reading him, or trying to. I couldn’t wait to hear what she had to say when we were done with this visit.
“I’m definitely here for information. I’ve identified Talon’s other two abductors.”
Larry narrowed his eyes, but his expression was not one of surprise. “You have?”
“You already knew I was on the right track. You already knew whom I suspected. And you all but told me I was right the last time I was here.”
Larry shook his head. “I did no such thing.”
“Tell me, Uncle. How was your night that night? The night after I last visited?”
Larry looked down into his lap, presumably staring at his handcuffed hands. His neck and cheeks turned ruddy. Apparently, my generous tip to the guards last time had paid off.
“Don’t think things can’t get worse. We still have a lot to go over, as you already know.”
He looked up at me, his eyes gray and sunken. “What the hell is it that you want?”
“I need to find Simpson and Theodore Mathias.”
Chapter Twenty–One
Melanie
Jonah’s voice never cracked, his intonation never wavered. But the muscles in his forearms were tense as he looked his uncle straight in the eye.
“I don’t know anything about those two,” Larry said.
“Stop the innocent act,” Jonah said. “We’ve already identified them as the other two abductors. Right now, they’re on the run. I need your help to locate them.”
Larry shook his head. “They never shared a lot of their information with me.”
I regarded Larry’s countenance. He was looking Jonah straight in the eye. He wasn’t fidgeting. His body language indicated he was telling the truth, but there was no way for me to let Jonah know that.
“Sure, Uncle Larry. And I have a couple acres of swampland in Florida I’d like to sell you.”
“Think what you want. I don’t know where they are. I’ve never known where they hid. They weren’t there for me when I needed them, and the cops found me in New Mexico about ready to cross the border. You think I would’ve been caught if I’d had their help? The two of them are pros. They never get caught.”
“They’re going to get caught this time. We’re going to see justice for Talon and Luke Walker, and for Gina Cates.”
“You know about that?”
“Yes, thanks to a source I’m not going to reveal to you.”
Jonah was clearly talking about Detective Ruby Lee. I was glad he didn’t say her name. I didn’t want her in any more danger. She was at risk already, being the daughter of one of them.
Jonah’s friend Bryce and his baby son, Henry, crossed my mind. They were the son and grandson, respectively, of the other. Were they in danger too? Had that occurred to Jonah? I trembled, clenching my fists together to cover it up.
Larry looked at me, scrutinizing. “Shit. You’re her therapist, aren’t you?”
“You only talk to her if I tell you to.” Jonah cleared his throat. “So you see, Uncle, we found out without your help. Finding them and bringing them to justice would be a lot easier if you cooperated.” Jonah eyed the guard standing about five feet away from Larry. “And I think you know what I can make happen if you don’t cooperate.”
This side of Jonah didn’t surprise me. Inside, I knew he was wound tight as a drum, but he didn’t let anything faze him. I had seen him take on Gina’s father, threatening him without batting an eye. Jonah believed in what was right, and he would do anything to protect and avenge those he loved, even break the law himself.
It was a side of him I hadn’t come fully to grips with yet.
