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The video stopped, and André’s face reappeared on the screen. “Other than to decline an attorney, he only said that one word.”
“Do you believe him?” Val asked.
Kaj looked at her sharply. “You don’t?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. I was asking André.”
“I don’t know, either,” André admitted.
“How recent were the burns to his genitals?” Val asked. “Were they incentive to do the abduction or punishment because he failed?”
“Doctor said they were fresh—more like hours versus a day.” André made an awkward face. “Plus, no offense, Val, but if he’d had that done to him before, he wouldn’t have been able to walk far enough to grab Elijah in the first place.”
Val grimaced. “Got it. Sorry. Is there anything else you can tell us?”
“Not at the moment. The doctors are keeping him overnight for observation. He’ll be transferred to the jail tomorrow. I’ll let you know when you can come in.”
“Thanks, André,” Kaj said fervently. “I appreciate it.”
“It’s nothing. Y’all go back on inside the house. I’ll call you if I find anything new.”
André ended the call and Val tugged on Kaj’s arm. “Come on. It’s chilly out here.”
Kaj chuckled weakly. “This feels good. You don’t know chilly.”
“I lived in Minnesota until I was ten. I know cold. I just don’t like cold.” She told Burke they were going back inside and led Kaj back to the dining room, where Elijah was helping MaryBeth and Jessica clean up and Patty was packing up the ingredients she’d brought.
Elijah stopped what he was doing. “Was that Captain Holmes?”
Lie. Don’t tell him anything. But Elijah deserved information. Just not all the information. “Yes, it was Captain Holmes. Rick Gates woke up.” Elijah paled and, once again, Kaj wanted to strangle Rick Gates.
“What did he say?” Elijah asked in the barest of whispers.
“He questioned Rick, but didn’t really learn anything.”
Elijah swallowed, his hand moving to pet Czar’s enormous head. “And that Dewey guy? Did they find him?”
Kaj shook his head. “Not yet. They’re still looking.”
“It’s going to be okay,” Val said levelly. “Czar will sleep at your side. I’ll be downstairs and Burke is outside on guard duty. You’re safe.”
Elijah nodded resolutely. “I know.”
But his son was still terrified and Kaj blamed himself. I should have stayed in New York. He’d be safe if we were still in New York.
Logically, he knew that might not be true. He’d prosecuted all kinds of mob types in New York. Any one of them could have come after his son. But no one had. Not until now.
“Elijah...” Kaj trailed off. He didn’t know what to say.
“I know, Dad. It’s not your fault.” Elijah turned for the kitchen, busying himself with loading the dishwasher.
MaryBeth and Jessica both gave Kaj looks of sympathy. “He means it,” Jessica murmured. “He knows this isn’t your doing. He’s just scared.”
Because Dewey Talley was still out there. Rick Gates had been tortured. What had they planned for Elijah?
Kaj’s stomach lurched, bile burning his throat, and he rushed outside, needing the fresh air. He got to the edge of his porch and leaned over, propping his hands on his thighs, trying to breathe. Trying not to throw up. Trying not to cry.
Trying not to get into the car and drive to the hospital to shake the truth out of Rick Gates.
