“This one?” frowned Sor.
“Yes, sir. He drives a Jeep back and forth from his house. I guess it’s pretty far from here because it’s always covered in mud. He drops the Jeep here and swaps it out for this one. It’s always neat and clean. He’s pretty particular about the cars. If I have time during the day, he asks me to go wash and vacuum it. Sometimes it’s every single day but he gives me extra for that as well.
“When it’s raining, I have to take my shoes off so I don’t get mud or water in the car. I don’t mind because he gives me the extra money.”
“Have you ever seen him with a woman?” asked Fitch.
“Never. I mean, I hope this doesn’t offend you, but sometimes I thought maybe he didn’t like women. He’s so particular about everything. It’s not like the cars are luxury but to him you’d think they were.”
“Did he ever mention where he lives, Brett. Anything. Anything at all could be of help to us,” said Fitch.
“Well,” he said thoughtfully. “Once he asked me what I did over the weekend and I told him that my dad and I went fishing near Port Sulphur. He said he knew of the place and when I asked why, he looked up at me real strange and shrugged. He said he knew someone that lived out that way.”
“That’s very helpful, Brett,” said Fitch. Sor pulled out some papers from the glove box, all neatly folded and stacked in side.
“The addresses all say Arkansas. He never changed the registration or insurance address,” said Sor.
They put everything back exactly as it was, wiping the steering wheel and the seats, just in case. When they were certain they’d left no trace, they closed the car door and locked it, handing the keys back to Brett.
“If he should come by for the car or call, anything, I need for you to contact us right away,” said Sor.
“Yes, sir. He seemed so nice,” frowned Brett. “He never once yelled at me or threatened me. He always gave me huge tips and asked me about my school work and how I was doing. I don’t get it.”
Fitch stood in front of the young man and nodded, gripping his shoulder.
“Listen to me, Brett. Sor and I both served in the military. We try to stop men like this from committing any further crimes if we can. Sometimes, not always, but sometimes the nicest people in the world have very dark, very dangerous secrets.”
“How do I tell the difference? I mean, how will I know if someone is really nice because they’re just really nice or because they have a secret?” Fitch nodded at him, giving one more firm grip of the shoulder.
“That, my young friend, takes years of practice.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
“Am I the only one bothered by the fact that this guy literally could be driving by our property every fucking day?” frowned Finn.
“Finn, we’re all bothered by it,” said Ham, “but you know as well as I do that area is huge. It’s filled with tiny little islands, swamps, backroads, and people are seriously protective of their neighbors. We have to do this the right way.”
“I know that,” he said with a frustrated sigh. “It’s just that Nicole is still out there somewhere suffering at this guys hands. There has to be an easier way to get to him.”
“We’re doing everything we can, Finn,” said Quinn.
“I know, I know,” he said shaking his head. “I’m sorry. I just can’t sleep until he’s caught. I worry every damn day that Willa goes down to the clinic. What if he happens to drive by there and sees her.”
“Finn,” chuckled Gator, “she’s working in the ICU ward upstairs. No one can see anyone from where she’s located. She’s safe. Even Cruz, Doc, and Wilson are there during her shifts.”
“Okay. I get it. I’m overreacting,” he said staring at the table.
“You’re not overreacting,” said Kev. “You’re protecting my daughter and I’m all for that. She’s all we have, Finn. Her mother and I could only have the one.”
“Yes, sir,” said Finn nodding.
“I think I might have found someone that can help us,” said AJ.
“Well, don’t leave us hanging. Who?” asked Jak.
“His mother.”
“His mother?” repeated Finn.
