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Jace was watching a movie with earbuds, and Phin was showing Elijah the safe room, but Val lowered her voice just in case either boy could hear her. “If she’s still alive.”
Kicked back in Kaj’s recliner, Burke folded his hands over his stomach. “NOPD doesn’t have any leads as to who took her or where they took her.”
“You know who took her,” Val said, frustrated. “Corey Gates and Bobby Landry.”
Despite his relaxed position, Burke’s eyes were shadowed with worry. Antoine and Molly were sitting with Farrah in the hospital because André was still in surgery. Burke had been friends with the Holmes brothers for years and he was taking this hard.
“Yes,” Burke said, “but there’s no proof. They left nothing in Allyson’s house for the CSU team to find. Corey and Bobby have been smart. Bobby survived in the Narcotics division for years. He knows what not to do so that he doesn’t get caught. Right now, Aaron is our best bet for information. If he wants to talk to Kaj, we need to listen.”
Val exhaled. “I know. I know you’re right, but it feels... wrong.” So wrong. Her skin felt too tight and every nerve was screaming “danger.”
“If it’s any consolation,” Burke said, “it feels wrong to me, too. But we don’t have a choice.”
“That’s not a consolation,” Val muttered.
Kaj kissed her temple. “What are you worried about? That I’m going to be hurt when I leave or that Elijah will be in danger when I leave?”
“Both.” But she reined in her emotions. It was time for logic. “Who’s going with you? Lucien’s still a few hours out and I’m not leaving Elijah. Burke, can you go?”
Kaj glanced up the stairs. “What about Phin? You and Burke can stay with Elijah.”
Burke and Val shared a long look. “He was good yesterday, Burke,” Val said quietly. “He saved our lives. My Kevlar wouldn’t have withstood rounds from an AR-15. He was calm and collected. He didn’t lose it. Even when the cops came with all the sirens and questions.”
Kaj looked confused. “What am I missing?”
Burke sighed softly. “Phin’s... complicated. His PTSD sometimes requires him to break away if he gets too anxious.”
“I saw a little of that,” Kaj murmured. “He fought off a panic attack when he was showing me the interior lock in the panic room.”
Val stared at Kaj and Burke’s eyes widened. “He went inside?” Burke asked, stunned.
“Yeah,” Kaj answered cautiously. “He had to. He built it.”
“But for the most part, the door was open when he was building it,” Burke said. “He doesn’t do small spaces.”
“That’s what he said. But he seemed okay while we were in the room together. When the door opened, he kind of shuddered. He seemed in control, though.”
“That’s really good to know,” Burke said sincerely.
“Can he legally carry a gun?” Kaj asked.
Burke nodded. “He has a concealed carry permit, but he doesn’t carry often. He’s a good shot, though. Sniper good. We can ask him. If he says no, we’ll respect that.”
“If who says no?” Elijah asked, skipping down the stairs, Czar at his heels. “Dad, did you see the room? It’s like a little library. And there’s a Lego airplane kit! So cool.”
Kaj smiled. “I saw. Phin made it perfect for you. Did you thank him?”
“He did,” Phin said. “I’m happy he likes it.”
Elijah’s eyes abruptly focused in on where Kaj’s arm lay on Val’s shoulders and a little smile curved his lips. “I knew it,” he stage-whispered to Czar.
Kaj huffed a laugh. “Come on, kiddo. You have schoolwork to do.”
“I did it all already. For the whole week and part of next week, too.”
“Good job,” Kaj praised. “Let’s go upstairs and call Aunt Genie. I bet she’s bored silly, having to stay in bed.”
Elijah’s eyes narrowed. “What’s going on?”
