“Damn,” Hayden said. “He’s not with them.”
I exhaled, my chest aching from holding my breath. I was about to suggest we leave when Hayden said, “I’m going to talk to her.”
I grabbed his arm. “You’re kidding.”
“I’ll say that I’m an old friend and ask where I can find him.”
“What if he comes home in a minute with their other car?”
He shook his head. “They have one car, a whole lot of debt, and one paycheck coming from Donna’s teaching job.”
Things made more sense if Bo was doing a shitty job providing for his family. I felt bad for that woman and her children, but I couldn’t help feeling satisfaction knowing that Bo was still Bo.
“It sounds like he might have left her and the twins,” I said.
“Yes, but I need to be sure.”
I unbuckled my seatbelt. “I’ll go with you.”
Now it was his turn to grab my arm. “Your bubbly butt is staying right here, Jonah. Bo might have been sleeping for all we know, which means he could be awake now. The last thing I need is for him to see you.”
The thought was gut-wrenching. I couldn’t imagine how I’d react if I were to face him again.
“Be careful,” I reluctantly said.
“Always.” He kissed my cheek. “Be back in a few.”
I watched him walk toward the house, moving with authority. He knocked, and seconds later, light spilled out as someone opened the door. Hayden smiled as he spoke, but I could sense his nervousness. His face turned serious at a certain point, like he’d heard bad news. I sat straighter, nervous and agitated. I only allowed myself to relax when he finally walked back toward the car.
He got back inside and said, “Bo—or Bobby to her—disappeared two years ago, leaving her and her sons behind. They’re not his biological children, but he was the only father they knew.”
“Does she know where he could be?”
“She claimed he left with another woman he was cheating with, likely to Boston where she has a family.”
“Did she say what Bo did for a living?”
“He lived offan alleged inheritance for a few years until the money ran out.”
So he was likely unemployed after leaving The Society, which didn't shock me.
Hayden started the car. “Let’s get out of here.”
“Can you take me back to the studio to get my car? I’ll sleep at my place tonight.”
“You sure?”
I nodded and looked out the window. I didn’t plan on using my needles, but I yearned for the peace and quiet only my house could provide.
We listened to the radio while we drove, some silly program where listeners called in to ask questions. When we reached my studio, Hayden killed the engine and asked, “Are you disappointed or relieved?”
“I think I’m both. Are we dropping the Bo line of investigation?”
“I’ll try to search for his current location, but since I’m doing everything under the table, I can’t utilize the same resources I usually have.”
In other words, it was likely a dead end.
“Can you think of anyone else who worked there back then? Any other name that I can search for?”
