Kane stops pacing, turns, and leans on his desk with his hands, bowing his head. “I don’t know...” he whispers.
Dad’s hands come to his face, his mouth agape. A heavy tension fills the air.
Kane raises his head. “We were having sex. I knew she was sick, but I thought she had caught some bug,” he says with undeniable sadness.
It all clicks together like a puzzle. “That’s why Audrey moved!” My voice booms. “She and Misty moved to our holiday home. Audrey isolated herself, remember? It’s why she has never invited us over and why she kept her distance. She didn’t want anyone to know.”
“But why?” Dad asks. “It’s been ten years. If Misty was pregnant, there’s no reason to stay hidden. Something doesn’t make sense. Let’s go now!” He stomps his foot. “We need to demand answers.”
I put my hands out. “No! If Audrey and Misty hid this long, we don’t know what Audrey’s capable of. She could leave the state—hell, the country—if she wanted to. As you said, something isn’t right. We need a plan, and we need to execute it carefully. I don’t want to spook her, and we still don’t know for sure if that’s what has happened.”
There’s a thump. Kane has collapsed. Dad and I rush to him. It’s as if he fell to hold himself steady.
Tears fall down Kane’s face. I haven’t seen him cry since Misty left. His anguish pains me.
Dad is by his side, his hand on his shoulder. “We’re here for you. We will find out the truth.”
“What if she was pregnant?” Kane sobs.
It’s a soul-crushing sound. I know I’ll never forget it. I turn to leave.
“Where are you going?” Dad yells out.
I clench my jaw. “To find Kane some fucking answers.”
With every step, the anger washes over the pain, digging in its claws, and I embrace it. My breaths come short and quick. I crack my knuckles on the way out. If what I think is true, when I find out who has helped Audrey and Misty keep their secret, they are going to pay. I’m the sergeant at arms for a reason.
After getting on my motorcycle,I ride to the Crown Resort. My cousin Alec is the CFO and also lives in the penthouse, so I’m sure he’s in the building somewhere. First I go to his office and stride past the receptionist and other staff, ignoring his personal assistant, who’s telling me I can’t go into his office. I open the door to see my cousin in a meeting with another man.
Alec’s eyes narrow, but then he studies my face. He stands and looks at the man on the other side of his desk. “Sorry, James, we will have to reschedule.”
The man stands and nods, gives me a wary glance, and goes around me to leave.
“I’m sorry!” the PA says from behind me.
“It’s okay, Mandy. Close the door on your way out.”
When she does, I ask. “Did you look into Misty’s case?”
He straightens his tie. “Take a seat.”
My heart crashes against my ribs. “I can’t. Tell me what you found out.”
He sits, opens a drawer in his desk, then pulls out a manila folder. He puts it on his desk and opens it. “I’ll warn you now. You’re not going to like it.” His lips tighten. “There was hardly anything on Misty’s file for her disappearance. Which I thought was strange.” He scatters the documents across his desk. “There were interviews with family, friends, schoolteachers, her biological family, and basic information about her case. I expected more since the case was linked to our family. Her case was on TV and Audrey had a reward out, but there was not one eyewitness after she left the Pratts’.”
I rub my face. “It makes no sense, and I’m desperate for answers or even a lead.”
He gives me a sharp nod. “I agree. So I did some digging. The lead investigator on the case has resigned and now lives with his wife in a house in the suburbs in Crown Village. However, it’s only his wife’s name on the deed of the house.”
“How did they afford that?”
“I had someone look into both of their financials for me. I only got them back this morning.” He looks back at the papers and grabs the sheet on top. He passes it to me, but I don’t take it.
My hands are clenched by my side. I’m too wound up. “Just tell me.”
His shoulders fall. “Years after Misty’s disappearance, the investigator’s wife purchased a house outright, so it’s only her name on the deed, and then the investigator resigned.”
“You think the cop got paid off... so they purchased the house with the money but put it in the wife’s name to avoid what would look like a payoff?” I pause. “It was Audrey.” It had to be.
