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I followed her, determined to be strong. I didn’t know what Rodney’s connection was to Talon’s abductors, other than being the brother-in-law of one and being in the same club as they were decades ago, but I knew one thing. Whatever the connection was, it wasn’t going to be good.
We sat at the table, and Ruby slid the yearbook in front of Rodney. “I need to know about this club. What was the purpose of it?”
“It’s pretty simple. The club was exactly what it says it was. For future lawmakers. People who wanted to go into law, whether as an attorney, or legislator, or lobbyist. Politicians.”
“Doesn’t it seem a little strange that three of these people are criminals? We already have Larry Wade in custody.”
“Larry Wade is a creep.”
“I can’t fault your observation. Why were you in the club?”
“None of your damned business.”
“I think it is. You’re a linguistics professor. You didn’t go into lawmaking of any kind.”
“I don’t have to tell you anything.”
Ruby looked at her chunky black watch. “I suppose you don’t. But I’m not leaving here without what I came for, and I don’t have anywhere to be. Do you, Melanie?”
“No.” I gathered my courage and looked Rodney Cates in his eyes. “I don’t have anywhere to be. You made sure of that.”
“Look, you let my daughter die. I was well within my rights to file a grievance and a lawsuit against you.”
“We’re actually not here to talk about that,” Ruby said. “We’re here to find out the link between Larry Wade, Tom Simpson, and Theodore Mathias. They have obviously known each other for a long time, and they got into some really bad shit. You’re going to tell me why.”
Rodney started to tremble. “I can’t.”
“Why the hell not?”
“They’ll kill me.”
Now we were getting somewhere. It was time for me to bring in my psychological expertise.
“Look, Dr. Cates,” I said. “I know what you think of me. You’re wrong, but I understand why you think it. Right now Jonah Steel is missing. We’re pretty sure that some members of this club are responsible.”
“I don’t have anything against the Steels, except for the fact that one of them barged in here recently with you in tow, Doctor.”
“Jonah had his reasons.”
“I’m sure he thought he did. Didn’t stop me from having to replace the door.”
“He paid for that door and then some. Right now he is missing, and we’re worried about him.”
“He’s getting what he deserves.”
“I thought you just said you didn’t have anything against the Steels.”
“I don’t. Except for that one.”
“Rodney,” Ruby said, pulling her bad cop routine. “I’m about this close”—she gestured with two fingers—“to dragging you down to the station. In fact, I’m thinking I might have you arrested.”
“What for?”
“For not cooperating with an investigation. We have a missing person here. This is serious business.”
“For God’s sake. What do you want to know about that stupid club?”
“What it was. What it truly was,” Ruby said, putting her feet on the table. “And I have all fucking day, Uncle.”
