“What the fuck?” Matthieu said, jumping up. Luckily, she grabbed his phone before it could be knocked to the floor. “What do you mean, he knows her?”
“Matthieu, remember that I told you a bit about the guy Brody is with?” Ink said.
“Yeah. The one who was listening to our conversation that day with Detective Reeves?” Matthieu asked.
“Yep. That’s the Fox.”
Matthieu froze. “Brody is with a guy who doesn’t always stick to the right side of the law?”
“Yep.”
“Maya wasn’t there during that conversation, though,” Matthieu said. “How does he know her?”
“Brody admires her. He thinks she’s amazing. And the Fox loves Brody so we think he’s done it for him.”
“He found Vince and brought him back because Brody thinks I’m a good person?” she asked, incredulously.
“That’s what Brody thinks. Also, the Fox probably enjoyed the hunt. Vince is so scared that he’s singing like a canary. He’s full of information about the key corrupt players in the Billings PD who are taking bribes and terrifying the public.”
“Is he . . . is he working for my dad?” she asked.
“Well, he said he is, but I’m not sure I buy it. He looks a bit off when he talks about your dad. However, I do believe what he said about Robert and Malcolm, your stepbrothers, being involved.”
“Wow,” she whispered.
“I’m about to call Reeves. Unless there’s anything you want me to ask him,” Ink said.
“Who could the kingpin be if it’s not the Chief?” Matthieu asked.
“I don’t know,” Ink replied. “And why lie when he’s spilling his guts about everyone else? But Vince did confess to throwing that fire bomb and he said it was because he was told to do it, to scare Maya into leaving the city. He said that’s always been his aim, to get rid of her.”
“I don’t think my dad would want me out of the city, would he?” she asked. “I’m so confused by what is going on.”
“Give him to the cops,” Matthieu said. “I know you’ll have gotten everything you can out of him, and while I would like a go at him, you can’t compromise their case by keeping him.”
“My thoughts too,” Ink said. “We’re getting closer, but I’d stay away a bit longer if I was you. I have a feeling that things are going to get messier before they get clearer.”
52
Matthieu could tell that she was stressing.
He got it. Her father could be the head of all the corruption and bad shit going on at Billings PD. He could be the guy who had ordered Vince to get rid of her.
Although that part made no sense to him.
And they still didn’t know who was threatening her father. Until they knew that, Maya needed protecting.
Matthieu thought about taking her into the playroom, but he had a feeling that wouldn’t help under these circumstances.
After the phone call with Ink, he’d abandoned the idea of a nap. She’d been too out of sorts. Instead, she’d gotten changed and they’d taken the animals for a walk.
That usually cheered her up. She loved collecting stones or throwing them into the river. With him standing next to her to prevent her from falling in.
But she’d been subdued and quiet.
And he couldn’t stand it anymore.
Maybe this was the wrong move to make, but he had to try something to get her out of this slump.