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Parker frowned. “What about Keith?”
Cadence’s mouth felt dry. She knew Parker would be sensitive about the mention of his best friend who’d perished in an automobile wreck. But there was no turning back now. She needed to forge on and lay everything out for him. Leaving out any details might impact Parker’s ability to find Logan. This wasn’t about her and Parker’s past relationship or the way she felt about him. It wasn’t about hurt feelings or wounded pride. It was about getting Logan back and making sure Parker knew what the stakes were. Because Cadence knew her son’s life was in grave danger.
“Mason was responsible for Keith’s death.”
Parker winced. “Why would you say that?”
“Because it’s the truth,” she said in a firm voice, tilting her chin up
“No!” Parker said in a raised voice. “He died in a car accident. I should know. It was my car he was driving in at the time. I’ve dealt with a world of guilt about that fact ever since. Investigators concluded he fell asleep at the wheel. It was tragic, but it was an accident.”
Emotion rang out in Parker’s voice. Cadence knew how deeply he’d grieved his best friend’s sudden and heartbreaking death. And it didn’t surprise her to know he’d blamed himself, even though it had been a generous act to loan Keith his car.
“Yes, Parker. Your car. Keith was killed in a single car accident with no witnesses. And because his car crashed down the embankment and exploded, there wasn’t much evidence left was there?”
Parker’s face had a gray pallor. “I-I…are you saying he was driven off the road?”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying.” She folded her arms across her chest to stop herself from trembling.
“But why Keith?” Parker asked. “It makes no sense.”
She leaned forward in her chair. “Don’t you see, Parker? Mason was trying to kill you. Keith was a mistake because he was borrowing your car that night. I’m sorry to have to lay it all out for you, but every word I’m saying is true. Mason let me know in excruciating detail how he orchestrated Keith’s death. He hired someone to run him off the road. And in doing so, he thought he was getting rid of you.”
“He actually admitted this to you?”
Cadence’s lips trembled. “Yes. He told me what he’d done. And he vowed to try again since he hadn’t managed to hurt you. I couldn’t allow that to happen.” She fidgeted with her fingers. “And there’s more. He made threats to harm my parents. And he told me he’d gotten rid of people in the past.” She shook her head. “I believed him. I still do.”
Parker stood up from his seat and began pacing around the kitchen. Cadence sat and watched him, trying to decipher his intense expression.
“What about Logan? How does he fit into all of this?”
“He’s always known he was yours. And he hasn’t ever mistreated him, but I know the way he thinks. He views him as a part of you. For a man like Mason, that’s an insult to his manhood.” She let out a ragged sigh. She wasn’t going to get into the fine details of her marriage, which had been an absolute nightmare characterized by Mason’s absolute need to control her every move. “I finally got up the courage to divorce him after years of his controlling behavior. Needless to say, he didn’t react very well to that decision. He’s been making threats ever since. I did try and file a complaint with my local police department, but it was obvious from the start that Mason has some ties in that office. They wouldn’t even let me fill out the paperwork for a restraining order.”
“And how did he get access to our son?” Parker’s expression resembled a storm cloud at the moment.
“I recently went back to work and found a very reliable sitter with a daycare operating out of her house. Barbara called me at work saying Mason and some of his men came into her place and took Logan by force.” Cadence began to cry, her shoulders heaving with the effort. “It makes me sick to think of how scared Logan must have been. He’s never spent a great deal of time in Mason’s presence, so I know he didn’t understand what was happening.”
“Where would he go? A man of his wealth could virtually disappear,” Parker mused. “Do you know all of his properties?”
Cadence nodded. “I know some of them. Turks and Caicos. France. Martha’s Vineyard. He’s had some financial setbacks, so he’s sold quite a few in the last year or so. Something major just happened with his company involving the feds coming in and investigating him. It’s yet another reason he’s been coming undone.” She bit her lip. “His family estate is in California. My gut is telling me that’s where he is. Sonoma.”
“Has he been in contact?” he asked, in full PI mode. Cadence knew he was asking all of these questions with a specific purpose in mind. Someone else might view his questions as a sign of his lack of emotion, but Cadence knew better. Parker felt things intensely. She knew what it meant to him to discover Logan was his son. He didn’t need to say the words out loud to her. She’d seen it reflected in his eyes the moment the realization hit him that he was a father.
“Yes, he has,” Cadence said with a grimace. “He’s called me a few times, but not from his cell phone. I don’t recognize the phone number on the caller ID. And when I call his cell phone, he doesn’t pick up. Mason is playing a game of cat and mouse with me. I honestly don’t think he left the country because his goal is to draw me out and to get me to chase after him. I think this is all about me,” she said, frustration building up inside of her. How could someone be so twisted as to use a child as tool for revenge?
“Do you think he could hurt Logan?” Parker asked, his chiseled features tense and strained. “I’m sorry to ask that, but it’s something we have to consider.”
“Parker, I really don’t know the answer to that question. If you’d asked me a few months ago I would have said no, but lately he’s spiraled so completely out of control I can’t even begin to hazard a guess. I’m terrified for Logan,” she admitted, tears sliding down her face. She swiped them away, angry at herself for giving in to her emotions. She pressed her eyes closed. “Please, Lord. Keep my little angel safe from all harm.”
Suddenly, she felt as if a hundred-pound weight was on her chest. She was finding it hard to breathe normally. Her body felt as if it was shutting down. Reaching out to Parker had felt empowering, but now the feelings of panic and desperation had returned full-force. Not knowing where her son was at this very moment made her feel as if she was going to lose every ounce of control she possessed.
She felt Parker’s hand on her back. He’d gotten up from his chair and moved behind her. His hands were caressing her shoulders in a comforting manner. It was something he’d done in the past to soothe her. She closed her eyes and gave in to the comforting feelings Parker elicited. For this one moment she would allow herself to feel the power of being connected to Parker. It would give her the strength to carry on.
“I know it sounds impossible, but don’t worry.” Parker’s voice was steady and sure. “Jason and I will narrow it down. I’m going to use every resource I have available to me in order to track him down. Jason and I will go find him. I promise.”
“I’m coming with y
ou, Parker,” Cadence said. “Please. Let me help.”
