“You think Hodge could be the second man who held Melissa?” Alena asked.
“It’s possible,” Cal said. He thumbed out a quick text to Raines, letting him know their lead and that he was about to make the call.
Seconds later, the sheriff texted back:Keep me posted.
Cal replied with a thumbs up, then hit Hodge’s number, putting it on speaker and tapping the record function. The phone rang and rang before a gravelly voice came on the line.
“It’s too fucking early for a phone call. Who the hell is this?”
Cal’s tone was steady, calm. “Name’s Cal Granger. I’m investigating the murder of your friend.”
There was a pause. Then Hodge snapped, “What friend?”
“Bryce Keller,” Cal said.
A sharp curse burst from Hodge, raw and rough. His voice cracked with something that sounded like genuine shock. “You’re telling me Bryce is dead?”
The line went quiet except for the sound of Hodge’s heavy breathing, like he was trying to take it in.
“How?” Hodge demanded, his voice rough.
“He was shot,” Cal readily supplied. “Do you know anything about that?”
“No,” Hodge shot back, quick and defensive. “I haven’t talked to Keller in a couple of days.” He went quiet for a beat, then added, “He got himself into some bad shit.”
Cal leaned in toward the phone. “Explain that.”
More hesitation, then a sigh. “Keller owed money to the wrong people. He needed cash bad. I woulda helped him, but…” Hodge’s tone turned bitter. “I’m laid up with a broken leg. Can’t work my usual construction jobs.”
Alena slipped her phone off the table, her thumbs flying as she texted Isla to dig into Hodge’s recent medical history. If the man was lying about the broken leg, Isla would find out.
“How’d Keller get the money?” Cal pressed.
Silence stretched before Hodge finally muttered, “Some woman paid him to do some shit.”
“What kind of shit?” Cal demanded.
“Hold on a second.” Hodge’s tone sharpened. “I wanna make sure Keller’s really dead and this isn’t some cop BS.”
The line went quiet except for faint shuffling. Alena’s phone buzzed, and she glanced at the screen. Isla’s reply lit up:Confirmed. Hodge broke his leg about two weeks ago. ER visit, X-rays, the whole deal.
Alena showed Cal the reply and murmured, “He’s not the guy who helped Keller.”
Cal gave a quick nod, his gaze still locked on the phone. “Yeah. He’s clear on that front.”
Hodge came back on the line, his voice sharper now. “I just read about Keller’s death, but it doesn’t say how he died.”
Cal’s jaw flexed, but he kept his tone even. “Keller kidnapped a woman. Know anything about that?”
There wasn’t the quick denial Alena expected. Instead, Hodge let out another curse. “I told Keller not to do that. Told him to back way off and get the money some other way.”
“Who hired him?” Cal pressed.
Hodge cursed before he finally answered. “A woman.”
“What woman?” Cal’s voice had a hard edge, and Alena braced herself to hear Kara’s name.
But Hodge didn’t say Kara.
