I know what he will say. I have wanted it for years, almost ten to be exact. For the first time since the day she was taken, I can’t fathom the thought.
“Where is everyone’s clients?” Noah asks, but I don’t hear the responses when he tells the clients he will cover the price on the tattoos that need to be rescheduled. My guys all finish with their clients as my pop and Deja try to get me to go somewhere private.
“Samuel, let’s go to the roof or the back office.”
Deja has tears as she holds my dad’s arm tight. “This is why you have to just peel it like a band aid. He isn’t going to budge. I told you that.”
At Deja’s words I know. Fuck, I know.
The clients file out without complaint when Noah turns the sign to closed and locks the door. Noah looks at me, knowing as do, I what is about to happen.
“Sam…” Agent Sorrell says again, and I feel my eyes burn seconds before tears escape.
I am still shaking my head no as I repeat the word over and over. “No. No. No. No.. No… No….No!”
Images of her smile flash through my mind and I feel like I might choke. I feel the strength of never knowing the truth fade from my mind second by second. I am waiting for him to tell me I am wrong, but he stands before me looking me in the eye.
“Sam, we were notified this morning of a confession about Kace’s disappearance. The DA is with him now trying to cut a deal to locate her. There is no proof the confession isn’t false. He has to give us something, but he knows a lot and we believe he is telling us the truth.”
A false hope takes over me and I refuse to see the tears in pop and Deja’s eyes, but I ask anyway. “Where is she? Is she alive?”
Agent Sorell looks at me with true sadness. “According to the confession, I am sorry, but no she isn’t.”
I try to remain calm, full denial keeping me alive right now. I look at Deja and pull her into a hug. “He’s lying. No way someone would confess now, all random and shit. We gotta hold out hope De`.”
“Sam?” I look to my pop and see the tears in his eyes. “Sammy, the guy who confessed is Levi Tenpenner. He is registered in all fifty states with multiple counts of child sexual assault, kidnapping, and destroying evidence. Having made a life in and out of prison. He was recently on parole and was caught in the act with two children, three in his basement, dead. He lives in California and the three strikes puts him in forever, but he is facing capital punishment.”
“He’s bargaining…” I say the words, knowing that this mother fucker might know where my daughter is and is using her to protect his own putrid ass.
“I need to take this.” Agent Sorell says, and places his phone to his ear. I didn’t even hear it ring.
“What are you thinking, Pop?” I ask, knowing he is far more schooled in this shit than I am. I draw and ink skin, run payroll, all the mundane shit. I don’t protect or save lives by catching the bad guy. I need him to tell me what to think.
“I think we are finally going to be able to put her to rest, Sam.”
His words annihilate me and I want to choke him for giving up hope. “So, that’s it? You give up because some pile of shit wants to save his own ass by telling any story he can?”
“We have a location.” Agent Sorell says as he comes back in the room. “We need to leave now,” he says to Agent Frye.
“I’m coming with you,” I say and stand, all my guys having my back. If I go, they’ll go.
“No. This is an open investigation Sam and it will take time to verify everything,” Mark says, pissing me off like I give a fuck.
“Then, let my dad?” I plead, needing someone from our court in this.
Mark looks to my pop as I do, pleading with my eyes for him to go.
He grasps my hand in his and squeezes. “I will go, son. I am retired, but I can assist, if the FBI doesn’t mind.” My dad looks to Mark for permission maybe?
“We are fine with that, Detective Sullivan.”
My pop nods and stands to hug Deja and I before looking to Noah. “You stay by his side Beckett,” he demands, but his tone is kind. He loves Carrie and Noah like they are his own, still holding guilt for what they endured, without his ever knowing.
“I will, Samuel,” he says to my pop, who I am named after.
My pop looks to me. “I will come back when I have more. For now, stay in touch and don’t go far, Deja.”
“I can stay here.” She says to my dad, but looks at me. “Cordell is with the kids and I can sleep here. I’m sure you have a spare spot?
