Of course they would.
Subdued, Elwood glanced between Diem and me. “I already talked to the police. They told me the money’s gone, and I won’t get it back. So be it.”
“Chances are, that’s true,” Diem said, his mouth full of marbles. He coughed and continued with more clarity. “Recovering the money is not likely to happen, but with your help, maybe we can find the person responsible and have them arrested.”
“All right. What do you need to know?”
Diem had shared most of what transpired during his meeting with Benaiah the previous day, so when he glanced in my direction—anxiety over my stupid comment unhidden—and silently begged me to take over, I did, armed and ready to get as much out of a resistant Elwood as possible.
“First, how are the girlfriends, El? Can I call you El?” I wiggled my brows.
“Huh?”
“You know. The ones you were chatting with online. The foxy redhead. Did you make plans for your date?”
Elwood flashed a worried glance at Benaiah. “I’ve got my hands full with Estelle. Why would I be making dates with redheads? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Really? I thought your memory was as sharp as a whip.”
“It is,” he snapped.
“Okay. I believe you. Still got that laptop?”
The elderly man shared the same bright blue eyes as his son, although his were far more expressive. They widened as he flashed another quick glance at Benaiah, who watched his father with pursed lips.
“Come off it, Dad. The truth, or we’ll never get to the bottom of this.”
Elwood scowled. “Fine, but I don’t know what my girlfriends have to do with any of this.” I earned a reproving glare. “No dates yet. Ginger said she’d get back to me.”
“Are you saying you have a laptop, Dad?”
“Yeah, I’ve got a bloody laptop. It’s in my room, tucked away in a special hiding place so you don’t take it away from me.”
“Why would I do that?”
“Because you’realways—”
“You told me your grandson gave you the laptop. Is that correct?” I asked, interrupting before father and son spiraled into a tangent and we were there all day.
“He did…” Elwood’s face pinched with scrutiny. “Or rather, I thought he did. I swear it was Kael who came to see me. I’m no dummy. I know my grandson.”
“Dad, Kael hasn’t been home since—”
“I heard you the first time you said it, but you’re wrong. Kael came to see me before Christmas. He visited a few times. We chatted about all kinds of stuff. The cabin. About the ski trip he took to Blue Mountain. You remember that, Benny? His high school graduation trip. He broke his arm on a bunny hill. Hell, he went on and on about Marissa. Showed me pictures of the places they’ve visited across Europe. Lovely looking girl. Said I could meet her next time he was home. I know he’s in London for school. Hates his classics professor but doesn’t mind creative writing. Wants to write a book one day. I’m telling you. He visited me. I know my goddamn grandson.”
“Dad, please don’t take the Lord’s name in—”
“Oh, shut your god-loving trap, and stop acting like I’m a senile old fart. I’m not. Kael was here. He gave me that laptop as a thank-you for helping him. He showed me how to get on the in-tra-net. We played games and everything. That boy was my grandson. I know my goddamn grandson. Don’t tell me I don’t.” Elwood’s face flushed with anger, and he trembled, the loose skin on his neck wobbling.
Benaiah turned scarlet, balling his fists on his lap.
The air sizzled, and before I could jump in to defuse the situation, Diem held up a hand. “Enough.” His sharp tone cleared the electricity from the air.
I stepped in. “Look, I respect what you’re saying, Elwood, and we’re going to get to the bottom of this. Can you tell Ben where he might find the laptop? Diem will need to go through it.”
“Why? It’s mine.”
“Viruses,” Diem said. “If Kael didn’t put proper security on it, you might get a virus.”
