Of course, Booker had also tried to frame Colin, along with Dominic and Alex, by leaving his cufflink at the playground where he was watching Dale.
What was the connection?
Maybe Booker never actually harmed any of the children. Maybe, as Dale had said, he just watched.
“I have no idea where to look,” Joe said.
“Then we get to Grand Junction and take care of Marj and Jade.”
“I can’t believe Talon let her go into the city without him.”
“She was with Marjorie,” I said. “Talon may think he controls his wife, but he doesn’t.”
“Talon doesn’t think that. He just worries about her. She’s pregnant, or have you forgotten?”
“Of course not. Jesus, Joe.”
“Sorry. I’m a fucked-up mess.”
“That makes two of us.” I sighed. “We need to get to Marj. I can’t lose her, Joe. I just can’t.”
Chapter Fifty-Two
Marjorie
Ted Morse looked a lot like an older version of Colin.
Except, unlike Colin, his eyes were not kind. His eyes were… What were they, exactly? Just on the edge of menacing, but not quite. They were eyes that had something to hide, eyes that were well regulated to not give anything away.
They were not the eyes of a nice man.
“It’s nice to see you, Jade,” he said. “Come in. Take a seat.”
We walked in and he closed the door.
Morse wore a navy-blue suit. An expensive navy-blue suit with a black paisley silk tie. His shoes were Louboutins, I was certain, and he was impeccably groomed.
“You don’t look like a man who’s concerned about his son,” I said.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“It means you look like a silver-haired mannequin at Saks,” I said. “Right down to your manicured fingernails. Did you have a two-hour massage this morning, too?”
“Marj…” Jade said.
“Come on. Look at him. Does he look like a worried father to you?”
“I’m sure you didn’t come here to insult me, Jade. I’m sure you’re concerned for Colin.”
“As much as she could be concerned for a man who left her at the altar. Or the man who convinced him to do so.”
Jade hedged a little. “She has a point.”
“You think I convinced him to cancel your wedding?”
“You’re not that good an actor, Mr. Morse,” I said. “And he didn’t cancel the wedding. He didn’t show up to the wedding because you told him Jade wasn’t good enough for him.”
“That’s preposterous.”
“Either you’re lying or Colin’s lying,” I said. “Hmm, I wonder which one would lie?”
“Look, Ted,” Jade said. “We’re concerned about Colin. We want to find him. If you haven’t seen him in a week, how do you even know he’s missing?”
“Because of this.” He thrust his phone at us, revealing a text.
I have your son.
“When did this text come in?” I asked.
“Right before I called Jade.”
“And I suppose you’ve considered that it’s a hoax?”
“Of course I’ve considered that it’s a hoax, but it was an Iowa area code. Not a lot of hoaxes come out of Iowa.”
An Iowa code. All the texts Joe and Bryce received had come from an Iowa area code.
“Okay, let’s assume it’s real,” I said. “Has he asked for anything?”
“Money.”
I laughed. “Poor guy. He has no idea you’d give up your son sooner than you’d give up money. In fact, you did give up your son once. For money.”
“You have no proof of that.”
“I have all the proof I need. You. Standing there looking like a fashion plate when your son is missing. If anyone ever accused my father of selling out one of his kids, he would not take it lying down. The most you can come up with is some false outrage. You’re a phony, Mr. Morse.”
Jade was ominously silent, both hands on her belly.
“Jade?” I said.
“It’s nothing. Just a little cramping. Probably gas. I’m okay.”
Shit. I really shouldn’t have let her come along. “We’re going back to the hospital.”
“No, really, I’m—”
“No arguments. It’s what Talon would want. I’ll be calling him too, by the way.”
“No! Please let him have his little overnight with the boys. They all need it. Please, Marj.”
“My brother would never forgive—”
We all jerked at the fierce pounding on the door.
“Open up, Morse!”
Bryce! I nearly flew to the door of the condo where Ted Morse was staying.
Bryce and Joe stood outside.
Bryce pulled me into a hug. “Honey, are you okay?”
“I’m fine, but I need to take Jade to the hospital. She’s having some pain.”
“Oh, shit.”
“I’m okay,” Jade said. “It’s just a little cramping.”
“Still,” Joe said. “You two get to the hospital. Bryce and I can handle this clown.”
“For once I agree with you,” I said. “Let’s go, Jade.”
Chapter Fifty-Three
Bryce
“Start talking,” I said to Ted Morse.
“My son is missing. I showed the girls this text.”
I eyed his phone. “Iowa. Check your old texts and calls, Joe.” I frantically looked through mine. None matched the number.
“Bingo,” Joe said.
“You got a match?”
“Yeah. The first call I got. Looks like he got lazy and reused one of his old phones.”
“He probably didn’t think we’d be talking to Colin’s father.”
“Do you mind including me in this conversation?” Ted said. “It is my son who’s missing.”
“Spare us your fatherly concern.” I drew my gun on him.
He visibly shuddered. “I don’t want any trouble.”
“Just tell us what we need to know, and there won’t be any,” Joe said, pulling his weapon out as well.
“Look, my son—”
“How did you find out about Justin Valente?” I demanded.
“Look, I—”
“No excuses,” Joe said. “We’re here for the truth. If you’re truly concerned about your son, then you know we’re your best chance of finding him. Start talking.”
Ted sighed. “Can I at least sit down?”
“Sure. In fact, we’ll be happy to tie you to a chair.”
“That’s not necessary. You’ve got two guns on me. I’d be stupid to try to run.”
“Yeah?” Joe said. “You once tried to extort money from me, to frame me for what Tom Simpson did to Colin. I didn’t realize at the time that you’d do just about anything for money, including pimping out your own son. I’d bet you’d try to run if you think there’s a buck in it for you.”