He shifted impatiently. “Look, Royce, we need to focus on what’s best forbothof them. You’re only thinking of Maxwell. That’s bullshit.”
“What’s bullshit is that you think River can grab Max and get off scot-free,” I said curtly. “You must be as crazy as River.”
He hung his head. “Come on, Royce. There are other things you could charge River with. For example, you could charge him with unlawful restraint and stillpunishhim. At least that’s a misdemeanor. Kidnapping is a felony.”
“Well aware.”
“Please, Royce. River needs psychiatric help. Throwing him in prison isn’t going to help anyone. River doesn’t belong in prison.”
I widened my eyes. “He does if he’s kidnapping people.”
“River isn’t a violent guy. He… he’s got his reasons for going after Maxwell. It’s not what you think. It’s not professional jealousy or that he just doesn’t like Maxwell.”
“Then what is it?” I grated out. “What the hell would make River think it’s okay to grab someone and hold them against their will?”
“It’s a personal reason.”
“I’m gonna need some details.”
He gritted his teeth. “You know how Maxwell lost a patient once?”
I frowned. “Yes. Of course. Lucinda Pratt. I remember it well.”
Lucas slumped. “Lucinda Pratt was River’s sister.”
Shock rolled through me as I held his dark gaze. He wasn’t lying, that was obvious. His expression was dead serious. I gaped at him, trying to find words. “River… Lucinda…what? How is that possible?”
“Pratt was her married name. River is her older brother.” He sighed, looking drained. “After Lucindadied, River couldn’t move past it. He obsessed about Maxwell, watching his every move. When Maxwell left LA, River came after him, looking for answers.”
“What answers did he expect to get? Max was cleared of any wrongdoing. What more did he think he’d get from stalking Max?”
Grimacing, Lucas said, “Like I said, he was obsessed with Maxwell. He wanted to meet him and see what kind of man he was. He thought maybe that would give him closure.”
“Obviously not.”
“No. Maxwell wasn’t what he expected. As you well know, Maxwell isn’t easy to connect with. From the minute he met River, he rebuffed him. Instead of feeling better, River started getting worse. Every time Maxwell dismissed him or belittled him, his hatred grew.”
“Are you seriously trying to blame Max for what has happened?”
“God no. I’m saying River didn’t get the closure he craved, and it’s pushed him over the edge. I’m not defending his behavior, let me make that clear. I’m simply explaining it.”
“You say River needs psychiatric help. Why didn’t you get him some before it got this far?”
“I tried. Believe me, I’ve tried. He’s stubborn. He wouldn’t listen. He pretended everything was fine, but I know him too well. I… I could see him unraveling.” Lucas sighed. “Then he started going after Maxwell professionally. He started buying any piece of property he thought Maxwell would be interested in. He wanted Maxwell as miserable as he was. When that didn’t work, he… must have… just… snapped.”
“If you knew that he was a danger, why didn’t you warn Max?”
He groaned. “I didn’t think he’d go this far. I swear to God, I didn’t. I’d never have gone out of town if I thought he mightgrabMaxwell.”
I narrowed my eyes. “You’ve spoken to River since he took Max?”
He gave a sharp nod. “Yes. That’s how I know Maxwell is fine.”
“Unless River is lying.”
He shook his head. “No. I can tell when River lies to me. That’s why I came back from Dallas early.”
“He set this whole thing up, and you didn’t know what he was up to. Are you sure you can tell when he’s lying?”
