“Whoever took her was smart. And it likely wasn’t Plant.”
“Yeah, but he was in on it. I know it.”
Vex isn’t going to want to hear this. “I think we need to pull in more assets.”
“No.”
That stubbornness will get him killed one day. “I’m not talking about the cops. I’m talking about people we trust.”
Vex stalks away. “I don’t trust anyone.”
That’s not true, even though he might think that. “I might have a brother.”
Vex stops and turns around. “What does that mean?”
“Some kid says he’s my brother and that Mom and him are in danger.”
“How can I help?”
“And that proves my point.” I grin at him.
“Don’t irritate me, or I’ll shoot you.”
“Your wife won’t like that.” It was a cheap shot, but I took it anyway. Is that how I look when I think about Fiona?
“We don’t need anyone else.”
“Then you’re happy waiting to find her.” That was another low blow. But with all his connections, Aleksei Kamenev is bound to be able to find something out about a human trafficker.
“We can dig into the women’s shelters again. Someone’s got to know something.”
“And you know who might be able to help with that? Aleksei. His father was one of the biggest human traffickers in the world.”
“So was my father. That’s the exact reason I don’t trust him.” Vex has valid reasons trust anyone.
“By those standards, I shouldn’t trust you. Aleksei has done everything in his power to get out of the trade. Including risking his and his family’s lives. Kamenev can help. You alreadyagreed to let him in on the DNA lab.” Talking to Vex is like talking to a wall. How does Dahlia do it?
“He’s got skin in the game.”
“Like Aleksei Kamenev would ever let his kids’ DNA anywhere near a site like that. You’ve known Maddox half of your life, and you aren’t even letting him know everything we know. This would be so much easier if we worked it together.”
“Fine. Bring him in. But if Marlie dies…” Vex has the weight of the world on his shoulders.
“If she dies, you’ll have done everything you could to save her.” A text comes in. It’s one word from a number I don’t know.
Yes.
The kid wasn’t lying.
“What just happened? Did your dog die or something?”
“The kid wasn’t lying.”
“What does that mean?”
“I have a brother.” I have a brother.
“You’re certain?”
