“We’d like to know if you have any leads,” Grady said. “Detective Kramer mentioned a former Savion security guard by the name of Joe O’Neil who was fired nine months ago for theft. He did a brief stint in jail but has been released.”
“Joe O’Neil? Do you have a DOB to go with that?” Braun asked.
Annoyed that he was the one providing the federal agent information, Grady reined in his temper and recited the information. “Also, did you look into Lauren’s ex-husband, Nelson Derringer? There was a prenup, which limited his ability to get financial support after the divorce. That gives him a pretty good reason to go after Lauren and her daughter.”
“We did look at him, but based on this new information, we’ll dig a little deeper.” Computer keys clicked in the background. “Hmm. This is interesting. It looks like Derringer is scheduled to be released in two months.”
“Two months?” Lauren paled. “That can’t be right. He still has two years left on his sentence.”
“Yeah, but our prisons are overcrowded, and he’s likely viewed as a lesser threat to the general public. From what I’m seeing here, Derringer will be released on parole in two months, possibly less,” Braun explained. “He’ll have to submit to monthly drug and alcohol screenings and wear an ankle monitor so law enforcement can track his movements.”
Grady reached over to squeeze Lauren’s hand reassuringly, then addressed the phone. “That news only adds credence to our theory that he’s somehow pulling strings from inside the joint. Derringer will be back on the street without any means of financial support. Could be he plans to cash in on the ransom.”
“I agree.” He was glad Braun seemed to take their concern seriously. “We’ll look at any connections between Derringer and this O’Neil guy.”
“Thank you.” Lauren’s tone was subdued. He could tell she was already imagining what Nelson might do once he was out of jail. Would he decide to go after Lauren for joint custody of Lucy? He prayed that would not be the case. “Oh, you should be aware that Nelson might be able to support himself,” Lauren said. “He was a stockbroker when I met him. I imagine he can try to get back into the game once he’s released.”
A stockbroker? Grady hadn’t known that. He filed the information away for future reference. “I doubt any firm will hire him with a criminal record.”
“He could open up his own business,” Braun said.
“Yeah, but I’m not sure very many people will be eager to hand over their hard-earned cash to a former convict.” Grady sure wouldn’t.
“Nelson’s former frat buddies might,” Lauren said.
She had a point. Some guys tended to stick together. He and his military teammates had done that, despite the horrors of war.
“Where are you now?” Braun asked. “I don’t recognize this phone number.”
“We’re safe,” Grady quickly answered, without giving Lauren a chance to reveal their location. “You can reach us at this number for the time being. If that changes, we’ll let you know.”
There was another long pause as the fed digested that bit of information. Then Braun said, “Okay, I appreciate the updated information.”
Grady would have preferred the information flow to have been the other way around, but there was nothing he could do about that now. “Thanks, Agent Braun. We’ll be in touch.”
Lauren didn’t say anything as he reached over to disconnect from the call. Then she abruptly buried her face in her hands. “I can’t believe they’re letting him out early.”
“I’m sorry.” He rested his hand on her shoulder. “The good news is that he’ll still be on parole. And that he’ll be monitored.”
She shook her head, sniffled, then finally looked up at him. “What if?—”
“Don’t.” He shook his head. “There’s no point in going down that path. A lot of things can happen over the next few weeks. If we find out Nelson is part of this, he’ll face new charges. He could get into a fight or something within the correctional facility too. Even if he does get out, he could do something to break his parole, which would send him back behind bars. Let’s just focus on uncovering the source of the danger.”
She closed her eyes for a moment, then sighed. “You’re right. The current threat is more important than what might happen a few weeks from now.”
“Exactly.” He smiled reassuringly. “We’ll get through this.”
She glanced over to where Lucy was watching television. “This is going to sound terrible, but I hope Nelson is the one responsible. Nothing would make me happier than his being kept in jail for the rest of his life.”
“I understand.” He wished he could reassure her that she had nothing to worry about. But from what little he knew of Derringer, he wouldn’t put anything past the guy.
“What are you going to do now?” Lauren asked.
“I’ll keep poking around to see what if anything I can find online.” He wasn’t an expert at investigating cases, but he needed to keep busy. “You and Lucy should relax for a while. I know you didn’t get much sleep last night.”
“Okay.” She hitched up her blanket and stood. “How much longer until the laundry is done?”
He glanced at his watch. “Roughly thirty minutes.”
