“We tracked a credit card charge to the Maraddo Motelafterhe killed himself. Turns out we missed it on the register because thewifestayed there with their two kids. She’d used her maiden name, Malor, to sign in; my guess is the couple had made some enemies and she didn’t want to be found.”
“Okay,” Blayze said. “So, we could be dealing with the wife or what?”
“The wife’s in a mental hospital,” Zane said, “so I doubt it. But there’s one more connection to the cupcake package she got with the hotel key.”
“Blayze,” Sophia hissed, tapping him on the arm. “I’ve got to go on.”
Blayze glanced up to the monitors in time to see an older woman behind the mic. “…like to welcome the lovely Ms. Sophia Vasco.”
“Wait,” he blurted to her while covering the mouthpiece. “Zane? What did you find?”
The crowd cheered. The camera panned wide.
“I’ve got to go on, Blayze,” Sophia pled. “It’ll be fine.”
The security guard gave him a nod. Sophia kissed the tips of her fingers, holding them out as she stepped toward the lifted stage.
The crowd gave a round of applause as she appeared on several of the monitors. Other monitors offered views of the crowd. “Good evening, everyone, I’m so happy to be here…”
Blayze closed his eyes briefly.Please, God, help me keep her safe.He forced his attention back to the call, desperate to gather whatever nuggets he could. “What was the other connection?” Blayze asked.
“You know how he had two sons right? They’re twenty-one and seventeen now. But get this: The day they checked into the motel… was the oldest son’s birthday.”
“You’re kidding.”Happy Birthdaythe card had read. “So, the family checked into the Maraddo Motel the day after his father killed himself…”
“That’s right,” Zane said, “which happened to be on the kid’s birthday…”
“What’s his name?” Blayze kept his eyes pasted on the wall of monitors, praying he’d be able to make a connection.
“Victor Malor.”
Victor Malor.The name was foreign to him.“So, where are they now that the mom’s in a hospital?”
“I’ve got River working on that right now. As far as we can tell, they moved in with an aunt. The younger one, Paul, is still there, but Victor moved out two months ago. We’re not sure where.”
What Blayze wouldn’t give to track that kid down. With River on the case, the son would turn up soon enough. “So, is that everything?” Blayze asked.
“That’s all for now. I’ll keep you posted as I hear.”
“Thanks.” Blayze was desperate to look into this guy. As soon as they got back to the cabin, he’d do just that. Blayze took a moment to fill Roman in as Sophia delivered her speech.
Yet even as he relayed the news, something about the scenario felt off. Could a merekidbe capable of running a woman off the road? Physically, it seemed plausible; all he’d have had to do is park his own car along the width of the road. With the sharp curve leading to where the car overturned, she wouldn’t have seen it until it was too late.
But mentally… what kind of torment must he have suffered to arrange that? And then take credit for it later while further threatening the Vasco family? It wasn’t as if keeping Mr. Vasco out of office would benefit a guy who’d lost his father and his fortune.
Once they got back at the cabin, Blayze planned to consider that. The closer he could get to the enemy, the better he could understand him. Andthat, would be their ticket to catch him.
Blayze thumped his foot against the back wall, sensing that she was wrapping things up.Yes,thank heavens. He could see the hallelujah countdown of that glorious clock. A few minutes more and she’d be safe in his arms. He’d have Roman hightail it out of the lot and they’d be home free and ready to snuff out this threat once and for all.
Chapter 20
Sophia sighed a breath of relief as she wound her speech to a close. As invigorating as it had been, looking into the massive crowd, hearing the cheers of so many supporters, she’d been able to shed her fears in the first few seconds. But now with the finish line in sight, Sophia was ready to sprint for the door and get out without an incident.
“…which is why I encourage you to get out to those polls and vote!” she cheered, raising her fist high. Proper etiquette called for waiting until the crowd died down to leave the podium, but as she thought about Blayze waiting backstage, Roman pulling up to the curb, a sense of urgency gripped hold of her.
With one last nod, Sophia spun around to move in the direction she’d come, and nearly slammed into Shauna Welkins, the woman announcing the speakers for the night.
Sophia stopped in her tracks, fisting her notes with sweaty hands. “Someone’s waiting for me out there,” she mouthed desperately. The security guard who’d escorted her on stage blocked the doorway, but Sophia saw Blayze waiting just behind him.
