The Perfect Couple (Last Stand #4)(89)
Author: Brenda Novak

Tiffany gritted her teeth against the jealousy that welled up. "She says to tell you she’s grateful for your support."

"Tell her I’d do anything for her," he said with a satisfied chuckle.

"He hopes it helps," she said instead and hung up.

Her eyebrows furrowed in an expression of concern, Zoe nodded and stared straight ahead.

Then Zoe’s cell phone rang. It was a wrong number, but it still put Tiffany on edge. Because she knew Jonathan Stivers or Detective Thomas could call at any moment….

Whoever had come home and nearly surprised Jonathan hadn’t stayed long. Just as the door opened, he’d dashed into the garage, where he’d only had to wait a minute before a car that’d been left running in the drive pulled away. He wasn’t sure if it was Tiffany or Colin. He hadn’t been willing to risk detection in order to look. He’d provoked Colin after the man had nearly been fired; he wasn’t about to hand him a big stick.

It didn’t matter who’d come home, anyway. It only mattered that he hadn’t been seen. That gave him the chance to get out, and he immediately did just that.

But he wasn’t happy about the wasted time. Colin and Tiffany were young, attractive, successful. Not your average pedophiles. What had he been thinking following up on such a long shot?

He unlocked his car, which he’d parked around the block so it wouldn’t be seen on Colin’s street.

He’d been thinking he’d solved the mystery, of course. But now he just felt foolish. If Colin was as twisted as the man who’d attacked Toby, there would’ve been some sign of it in his house–videotapes, pictures,  p**n ography, sex toys, something–especially if his wife was aware of his perversion and he didn’t have to hide.

"What a waste," he grumbled and turned on his phone. He had an appointment with Detective Thomas at 1:30 p.m. and wanted to check the time. Fortunately, he still had an hour, but he’d missed a slew of calls, most of which had come from Zoe.

Eager to find out what was so urgent, he called her right away. And she answered on the first ring.

"What’s going on?" he asked. He hoped Toby had revealed some specific information about the man who’d hurt him, enough that they could catch the bastard. He heard Jasmine’s voice echoing in his head–You need to find her, Jon. You need to find her now–but he was no closer to saving Sam than he’d been the day she disappeared.

"Didn’t you get my messages?" she asked.

"Not yet." Deciding to call her instead, he hadn’t listened to his voice mail messages.

"Where are you?"

"On my way to Truckee. We’ve got a lead on Sam." The words came in a breathless rush.

"What?" His hand froze halfway to the ignition. That was exactly what he’d been hoping. "Because of Toby?"

"No. Toby still has a lot of healing to do. He’s not completely coherent yet, and the doctors don’t want us bothering him, anyway. His condition is too fragile."

"So where did this lead come from?"

"Right next door."

"You’re kidding!"

"It’s not what you think, though," she hurried on. "Colin’s father, a man named Paddy Bell, has a history of pedophilia. He molested Colin while he was growing up. His sister, too."

"No…"

"Yes, but Colin and Tiffany thought that was old news. A terrible period that ended when Colin’s mother found out and left him." She paused.

"Until he went missing on Friday night."

Jonathan let his head fall back. "Colin’s father went missing?"

"Yes."

"What happened to him?"

"We’re not completely sure. We think he’s on the run. Colin saw a news report on Toby, noticed that the boy was kidnapped from his father’s neighborhood and mentioned it to him."

Jonathan watched a middle-aged man drive by in a car that needed a muffler. "And then?"

"A day or so later, Colin realized that his father also knew Sam, or knew of her. Paddy had even mentioned her a few times."

Jonathan’s blood ran cold. No wonder he hadn’t been able to solve the case. There was nothing to give Paddy Bell away. He was too distantly connected.

"When he started asking Paddy about Sam, it must’ve made Paddy nervous, because he took off not long after," she said.

"Why didn’t Colin tell me this when I saw him a couple hours ago?"

"I’ve got Tiffany here. Let me see what she says."

Zoe asked her the question, and Jonathan could hear Colin’s wife’s response.

"He wasn’t sure," Tiffany was saying. "We were both hoping that…that we were wrong and he’d show up. No one wants to accuse a family member of something like that. If he’s just off with another woman, he’ll never forgive Colin, or me, for bringing up the past and ruining his reputation. But when Mr. Stivers came by the firm and then called me, we both realized we had to take that chance."

Jonathan felt bad for the way he’d behaved in Colin’s office. The guy had already been having a bad day. And, happily married or not, Colin had a crush on Zoe, which complicated matters. Not surprising that he hadn’t wanted to reveal what he suspected of his father.

At least he’d done the right thing in the end. "So we know who might’ve taken her and we think she might be in Truckee?" he asked Zoe.

"Jasmine mentioned a forest, remember?"

How could he forget? It had been on his mind all day. "I remember."

"Paddy owns a cabin in the mountains outside Truckee."

"Holy shit." Spurred into action, he jammed his key into the ignition.

"I’m coming. Where are you?"

"We just passed Auburn."

"Who’s we? You and Tiffany?"

"Yes. We’re in her car."

He pulled into the street, heading for Interstate 80. "And Colin?"

"He’s still at work."

Of course. Jonathan had seen the way Scovil had treated him, knew he’d probably lose his job if he left. "Where should we meet?"

"We can’t stop, Jonathan. We can’t even slow down. I’m too frantic."

"Zoe, I know what you’re feeling. But I’d rather be with you. We have no idea what you might find."

"Can’t you just meet us there?"

He knew no amount of warning would convince her to stop now that she thought Sam was so close. She’d walk through fire if she had to. And he wasn’t that far behind. He could catch up or arrive shortly afterward. "Okay.

Where is it?"

"Here, I’ll let Tiffany give you directions."

"Have you notified the police?" he asked before Zoe could pass the phone.

"I’ve left a message for Detective Thomas. I think we’re covered.