“When did you know?”
“How many times have I asked myself that question? How many? I think I knew all along but didn’t want to believe it. There were no other girls who were missing and I just…” She was waving the weapon in the air, lost in the horror.
“You should have turned him in. You could have gone to the FBI. Do you know what the fuck you’ve done? You’ve aided and abetted a murderer. He killed twelve women that I know of and possibly another. A young woman in the prime of her life. There’s also another woman missing. Both are attorneys.He’s tormented both Alexia and me. Why the fuck were you harboring that fucking sick man?”
“Because he’s my son!” As soon as she broke down sobbing, I yanked the weapon from her hand. I didn’t feel sorry for her in the least. Her eyes opened wide. “Don’t you dare hurt him!”
“He’s after Alexia, Ms. Landers. I’m not going to allow anything to happen to her.”
“He won’t hurt her. He adores Alexia. He even asked me to hire her. Why would he do that if he wanted to hurt her?”
“Psychotic assholes do things that only suit them. I don’t give a shit the reason you’re hiding what your son did. The fact is, Steven is a murderer.”
“I’m sorry. You’ll understand when you have a child.”
My fucking God. I shoved her weapon into my jacket, retrieving mine.
“You better hope nothing does happen. Either way, you will pay for your sins. Justice will be served.”
Justice. I spouted off about justice like it was my God-given right to lay down the law when I had no issue breaking it. At this point, I couldn’t care less about the oath I’d taken or the difference between right and wrong.
All that mattered was saving Alexia.
And ending the motherfucker’s life.
Betty could have prevented at least one death. Jameson knew his own son had committed the murders and had allowed an innocent man to take the blame. Why? To keep his horriblesecret? Or had Steven blackmailed him into allowing his own brother to take the fall?
All I could think about was getting to Alexia. The rest would be sorted out later. Let the chips fall where they may.
I stormed out of the office, immediately heading to the elevator. By then, people were filtering up to the floor to continue the party. When I noticed Jessica, I pushed my way through the crowd, hoping to see her.
Jessica finally appeared and I grabbed her arm, pulling her aside. “Where is Alexia?”
Her eyes opened wide when she noticed the weapon in my hand. “Last I saw her she was with Timothy. Why? What’s happening?”
“Fuck. I need to find her.”
“Should I contact the police?”
“Don’t bother. I’ll handle it.” At this point, the police would only get in my way. Without hesitating, I took off, racing to the stairs.
It took me all of two minutes to search the floor, forced to realize he’d taken her.
Then my phone rang.
An unknown number.
“You motherfucker. I will kill you.”
His laugh was full of enjoyment. As if he’d won. You bet he’d rattled me, which was why he’d picked this exact moment to take her. “I guess you’ll need to find me. Won’t you? This time don’t take so long. I’m going to enjoy my prize.”
“Why nurture her career if you were just going to hurt her?”
“You don’t understand. I never wanted to hurt her. I wanted to keep her. She is perfect. Everything I’ve ever wanted. Sweet. Innocent. Fighting for the innocent. She looks just like my mother. Have you noticed? My real mother.”
“You knew all along Betty Landers was your biological mother.” While I’d hit record, my guess was I wouldn’t be able to track the number.
“My adoptive parents didn’t keep anything from me. They told me everything. Of course, that was right before I had them killed. They had to tell me.”
