I lifted the cup and took a sip. Itwastoo hot, but it was also the best tea I’d ever tasted, and I knew my way around tea. “It’s good.”
She took another sip, then went to open the cabinet, from which she plunked out a pack of cigarettes. She pulled out one and stood next to the kitchen window. “You smoke?”
“I’d rather not.”
She lit the cigarette and took a lungful, holding the smoke in her lungs for almost ten seconds before blowing it out the window. “What happened to my nephew?”
“He’s been kidnapped. The police released a statement today that it had something to do with a drug investigation, but that’s a lie.”
“And you know that how?”
“I know who kidnapped him.”
She took another long drag. Despite her stoic expression, I could spot the tension in her bony shoulders. “Who told you where I live?”
“Hayden’s boss.”
“Ray?”
In the back of my mind, I remembered that was his name. “Yes, the Chief.”
“Why would Ray send you to me instead of doing his job? He’s a capable policeman, and he likes Hayden.”
To explain that part, I needed to open up about the events that had led me here. I dreaded going through that tale again,but I could tell she wouldn’t help unless she could trust me. “Are you in a hurry?” I asked. “It will take some time.”
“I think I can push back my meetings at the country club. Go on.”
*
It was getting dark outside by the time I finished recounting the main events leading up to that moment. A nice, cool breeze blew in through the window, making the curtain dance. At the start of my story, Tammy had listened without interrupting, but her FBI instincts quickly kicked in. She didn't doubt my words, but she did ask for further clarification, which at least meant she wasn’t taking this lightly.
“Has anyone from The Society tried to contact you since Hayden was kidnapped?” she asked from across the table, an unlit cigarette between her fingers.
“No, and I don’t expect them to. This isn’t about sending me a message. Hayden went too far and came too close to the truth, so they decided to get him out of the way.”
“You said you wanted him to drop the investigation.”
“I did. I feared something like this might happen, but Hayden was…”
“Stubborn like a mule? Yeah, that’s my nephew.” She lit the cigarette and watched me closely. “So, they kidnapped Hayden and killed your former agent. No offense, but doesn’t it make sense for them to take you out as well? If they wanted to keep their existence a secret, I’d start with getting rid of you.”
Her question poked too close to what I wasn’t willing to share, not even with Hayden. “I don’t know why I’m alive, but maybe they don’t know of my involvement. Hayden’s visit to Amanda could have been what got him. He went there blindly, while I bribed my way inside with Eliot’s help.”
“Can you be sure Eliot doesn’t know where they are?”
“Yes.”
“What about the man you bribed? Can we get anything out of him?”
“From Frank? He calls them the Shadow People. He doesn’t seem to know anything about who they are, but we don’t need him.”
“Because you have the location of the motel?”
“Yes. That’s our best chance at finding them.”
She leaned forward, holding my gaze. “That brings us to the most important question—is Hayden even alive?”
I swallowed my anger, knowing that question had to be asked. ”He’s alive. I’m sure.”
