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She takes a shuddering breath. “Do you really think Nick has something to do with this?”
I rub the back of my neck. “I think he does.”
“I didn’t want to believe it but—”
I cut her off. “Believe what?”
“Nick made a threat a few years ago. He wanted me to get Birdie to pay him some money to start a garage. I told him that Birdie had no interest in him and refused to give him money.”
“Nick thinks that Birdie knows he’s her father?”
There’s a pause before she answers, “Yes.”
Fuck. “Wait, Lorri—did you say he wanted money to start a garage?”
“Yeah, he was a mechanic before he enlisted. Why is that important?”
Before I can answer, Eric interrupts. “Liam! They were able to ping Birdie’s phone and we have a location. Fucker must have forgotten to get rid of it.”
Hope bubbles up in me for the first time in hours. “Lorri, I’ve got to go. We’ll call you as soon as we hear something.” I ignore Lorri’s protests as I hang up and turn toward Eric. “You know where she is?”
“We have a general idea. Patrol cars are on their way.”
“I think I know—” My words are interrupted by the sound of the door opening. Shea walks in, her face streaked with tears. She’s holding up her phone.
“The kidnapper is on the line!” she wails. “He wants to talk to Liam.”
The room goes still and silent. Everyone’s eyes are on me, and I feel the heat of the cops’ gaze on me too, like they think I have something to do with this. I don’t have time to focus on my failures though, because I know Shea is a lying piece of shit. Her tear-stained face is all a lie. I don’t know for sure what her relationship with Nick Squires is, but I do have a feeling it’s not good.
With my eyes still locked on Shea, I lean over to Eric and whisper the information about the mechanic’s shop in his ear. He’s confused, but I can’t risk Shea overhearing. Her eyes are already curious as to what I said, though she’s trying to keep her little act up. I pat Eric’s shoulder but still don’t look at him. I just hope he’s a better actor than Shea.
I take a cautious step toward her, conscious of the fact my handgun is now tucked into the back of my pants. I don’t trust anything about the woman before me and I’m glad I have assurance. I’m surprised when all she does is thrust the phone in my face.
I grab hold of the phone but keep my eyes on her. Her gaze is flat, her little act crumpling. She knows that I know. She can tell in my movements. I have to be careful since I have no idea what Shea is capable of. The last thing I want is for Birdie or anyone in this room to get hurt.
I hold the phone up to my ear. “Hello?”
The voice that comes through the phone is the same one from the radio station. “Mr. Miller. Nice of you to speak with me.” His tone is scratchy, like he’s smoked one too many cigarettes.
“Give the phone to Birdie,” I say calmly. In the background I can see Eric talking to Gia. When she looks at Shea, which doesn’t go unnoticed, Shea starts to get nervous. She pushes some of her purple hair behind her ear.Shit. I have a bad feeling.
“She’s fine,” Damien, or should I say Nick, barks.
“Liam, I’m here!” Birdie calls from the background.
“Shut up, kid! Or I’ll gag you again.”
I almost lose my cool at his words, but relief floods me at the sound of her voice. “What do you want?” My voice is tense.
“Five million in small bills by tomorrow morning.”
“Not going to happen,” I say automatically. “I’m not sure if you know how money works, but most people don’t have millions just lying around. Money like that takes time to get.”
“Birdie says her assistant can get it. She knows her accounts.”
Shea has the decency to look shocked. There is no doubt in my mind that she’s involved now. Their plan is idiotic and very sloppily done. They may have been smart when it came to the stalker bit, but this plan? It was never going to work.
“Is that so?” I say into the phone, my voice condescending. “Even if we can get that type of cash by the morning, how do you propose we get it to you?”
