Ding!
The laptop on the conference table snagged his attention. Evangeline’s search had gotten a hit. There was a primary photo, plus two additional. In each, Joey’s appearance had been altered.
The first showed a young man with short, blond hair. That was a mug shot taken at a police station. In the second, Joey sported medium brown hair. He was posing for a picture on a restaurant terrace, his arm around an older, wealthy-looking woman. In the third, Joey’s hair had been cut short. He’d grown a beard and mustache, and wore wire-rimmed glasses.
Sinclair scrutinized the accompanying summary.
NAME: Thomas Edward Monty
ALIASES: Joey Miller, Joey Green, Joey Hill
STATUS: Fugitive
WANTED BY: Massachusetts, Florida, FBI
WANTED FOR: Murder, Escape from Custody, Fraud, Internet Fraud
PRIOR CONVICTION(S): Attempted Murder
LAST SEEN: Palm Beach, Florida
NOTES: Wanted by the state of Massachusetts for killing a sheriff’s deputy and escaping while being transported to serve time for Attempted Murder. Considered armed and dangerous. Wanted in Florida for financial scams that victimized several women in the Palm Beach area. Wanted by the FBI for interstate flight to avoid incarceration and interstate fraud.
His blood pressure skyrocketed, his pulse pounded hard and fast. And the fury that lived below the surface erupted like a volcano. He lifted his phone, made a call.
“Everything okay?” Dakota asked.
“I found him,” Sin bit out. “I found the son of a bitch.”
22
The Black Site
Seething, Sin strode into the conference room. He slapped several photos of Monty on the table and set the laptop in front of Jacoby. Then, he fished out one of the photos Evangeline had taken and showed his team. “This man is armed, dangerous, and obsessed with Evangeline. He’s calling himself Joey Thomason and he’s posing as a pastor.”
Sanchez pulled up the surveillance picture from the night of the club fire and spun her laptop around. “He could be our guy.”
“I’m not surprised,” Sin said. “His real name is Thomas Monty, and he and I go way back.”
“He’s got one helluva rap sheet,” Jacoby added.
“I’m going to the hospital to warn Evangeline,” Sin said.
“What should we do?” Erica asked.
“Sanchez, you need to find him.” Sin rattled off Thomas Monty’s home address and the location of Mac’s.
“I’m on it.” She closed her laptop and hurried out.
“Erica,” Sin continued. “Head out for the night. You’re point person in the office tomorrow. Stay vigilant and update the team in the morning.”
“Got it.” With her laptop in hand, she left.
“Dude’s a pro at scamming women,” Jacoby said. “Dozens have filed complaints. Most were out around twenty-five grand, but one lost a quarter of a mil.”
Sin’s hands curled into fists. “He’s good with money, so it makes sense he’d pose as something like an investment broker.” Pausing, he called his driver. “Anton, bring the car around front.”
Jacoby pushed out of his chair. “Where are we headed?”
“To the hospital, to tell Evangeline who Monty really is.”
They descended in the elevator and strode through the front of the building. Anton was waiting in the town car, parked curbside, half a block away. Friday night in Georgetown meant crowds, even in the dead of winter. In silence, the men maneuvered around the foot traffic.
As Sin opened the back door—Pop-Pop-Pop!
Searing pain exploded through him. Grabbing his arm, he doubled over in agony.
Jacoby pushed him into the car and jumped in beside him. “Sin’s been shot. Get us the fuck outa here.”
“You can do it,” Evangeline said. “He’s almost here.”
“Oh, God, I’m exhausted,” Hannah murmured.
“You’re doing so well, Hannah,” said the obstetrician. “I need one more push and this little, well, not so little fella is coming out.”
Crying out, Hannah bore down. “Good job, honey, you did it!” Evangeline exclaimed.
The doctor lifted up the newborn. “It’s a boy.”
Tears filled Hannah’s eyes. Evangeline wiped the perspiration from her sister’s brow and kissed her forehead before giving her some water to sip through a straw.
“Congratulations.” Evangeline peered over at the tiny baby. “He’s beautiful.”
Hannah strained to see, then closed her eyes. “I’m so excited, but I can’t move.”
After the doctor spent some time with the nurses evaluating the baby’s vital signs, she turned her attention back to Hannah. “Let’s try getting the placenta out. Give me one small push.”
“Please, no.”
The doctor gave her an encouraging smile. “You can do it.”
Groaning, Hannah pushed one more time.
“That was great, Hannah,” said the doctor. “Now, you’re all done. Excellent job.” After checking again with the nurses, the doctor said, “Your son was a little blue on delivery, but he’s fine now. Good coloring and his Apgar numbers are strong. How are you feeling?”
“Exhausted, but excited. Is he okay?”
“Yes, he’s doing great,” she said with a reassuring smile. “Would you like to hold him?”
She gave an eager nod. The nurse laid the infant in Hannah’s arms. “Hello, my angel. It’s Mommy. I love you so much.”
Emotion tightened Evangeline’s throat. Wanting Hannah to have a memory of this special moment, she snapped the first photos of mother and son. “What are you going to name him?”
Hannah ran a soft finger over the baby’s cheek and held his tiny hand with her finger. “Robert. I love that name, plus, it was Trevon’s dad’s name.” Then, she peered at the tiny child. “I can’t give him up. I will do the best I can, no matter how scared I get.”
Evangeline’s eyes misted as she kissed Hannah’s forehead. “Atta girl. You’ve got this.”
The happiness in her eyes faded. “I never called Trevon.”
“It’s not too late, Hannah. But first, you need to rest and bond with Robert.”
It was after five in the morning when Hannah and Robert were moved to their private room. After Robert’s first feeding, he fell asleep, and Hannah laid him gently in the newbie bed beside her.
That’s when Evangeline stepped into the hall to phone Sin. She had placed her phone in “Do Not Disturb” mode when she got to the hospital. The second she tapped it off, it buzzed with texts. All from Sanchez.
“We got a hit on Joey,” Sanchez had texted.
“Sin isn’t responding to my texts. Is he with you?”
“I don’t know what hospital you’re in. Text or call me ASAP.”
Sanchez had called at four in the morning, but left no message. Evangeline’s stomach dropped. Pushing down the mounting concern, she called her back.
Sanchez picked up on the first ring. “Hey, have you heard from Sinclair?”