18
Chapter Eighteen
“What did you just say?” I ask through clenched teeth.
I feel Shadow move to stand directly behind me when he heard my tone. Manuel looks at me then his eyes dart up to Shadow before he answers. “The boss’s son is Ramon Cortez. He’s a detective here in Austin and he’s Harrison’s best friend. Do you know him?”
“You could say that,” I snarl in disgust. “I had no clue he was Harrison’s best friend, though.” Unable to remain seated with the amount of energy I have coursing through me right now, I launch myself off the loveseat and begin pacing. The scenarios are flying at me so fast I can barely keep up with them.
“Dominic,” Tucker interrupts my thoughts, “where do you know him from?”
“He was the detective in charge of investigating Carol Ann’s death.”
Sophia gasps audibly and Tucker’s face becomes hard, his eyes knowing, and his posture rigid. He’s having the same thoughts and ideas that I am. My pacing resumes and the room is full of nervous energy, questioning eyes, and uncertainty as to how to proceed from here.
“That name isn’t on the list of officers with the Austin Sheriff’s Department,” Shadow calmly interjects.
“You have the whole department memorized?” Manuel asks disbelievingly.
“Yes,” comes Shadow’s serious reply.
“That’s because he doesn’t use that name here. It’s too easily recognized and associated with the boss, but most everyone knows who he is anyway,” Manuel explains. “Besides, have you ever heard of a cop going straight from the academy to being a detective? He has friends and family in low places.”
“That’s how Harrison got the second page of Carol Ann’s letter, isn’t it?” Sophia asks, turning to me.
“That would be my guess,” I reply. “This Cortez guy seems to have a penchant for making evidence disappear.”
“What name does he use here?” Tucker asks.
“As a detective, he goes by his mother’s family name-Nunez. But he also goes by Sebastian Montoya,” Manuel says.
I freeze mid-step and my head jerks to look at Shadow. He’s already looking at me with a knowing look. The pieces of this insane puzzle are finally coming together. Now we need to come up with a plan to put an end to it all.
“What is it?” Sophia glances between Shadow and me. “Who is that?” she asks.
Her innocence shines through her eyes. The concern for me that is prolific in her every action has just been verified and I have no doubts about my choice to give us another chance now. The odds were stacked against us, and I know there were plenty of people who thought I was a fool for letting her back into my life. But I listened to my gut and I’m so thankful for that now.
Before I can answer her, I hear the change in Shadow’s tone toward Sophia as he answers her question. He’s had the same internal struggle with trusting her. To be fair, I don’t think the man really trusts anyone, but Sophia even less so. The warmth in his tone is unmistakable, almost apologetic, even.
“Sebastian Montoya is your lawyer, Sophia. For your sexual harassment lawsuit against Dominic and DPS,” Shadow says with a smile.
Sophia swallows hard and nods in response. But she doesn’t smile and that concerns me. She looks sad but she quickly tries to hide it. Standing, she addresses her father. “Can I use your restroom?”
“Of course, Sophia,” Manuel says as he rises from his chair. “No matter what’s happened, our home is your home.”
I can’t take my eyes off her as Manuel shows her to the hall bath. Her hand is covering her stomach again, shielding our baby and sending love through the warmth in her touch. But I know my girl, and I know something isn’t quite right with her. I also know that she won’t tell me until we’re alone and she feels safe.
Shadow approaches me while Manuel is out of the room. “I think he’s telling the truth. He’s not involved in your wreck or the fire.”
“Why was Sarah calling Sophia then?” I counter. I also believe Manuel is telling us the truth, but her mother’s sudden calls during that exact time is concerning.
“We need to ask her that,” Shadow replies. “Too bad she’s not home.”
Manuel steps back into the room and I think it may be time to let Sophia have a reprieve from all this drama. “Manuel, we’ve taken up enough of your time. Thank you for answering our questions and being honest with us. You’ve helped us tremendously.”
“No need to rush off. Sarah will be home soon and she would love to see Sophia,” he half pleads with us.
“Let me see how Sophia is feeling when she comes out. She’s pregnant, just past the end of her first trimester, so I have to do what’s best for her and our baby,” I explain.
