Page 37 of Girl Long Gone

Connor and Evelyn’s footsteps echoed off the glossy tile floor of Gene Wilson’s office. The lobby boasted only one desk near the front door and two chairs off to the side. The building was around the block from Mr. Wilson’s residence, and he’d opted to occupy only the first floor of the rented space.

Connor made a beeline for the receptionist and had his badge ready in his hand when he stopped in front of the raven-haired woman with blood-red lips. “I need to speak with Mr. Wilson.”

“Do you have an appointment?”

“No. Please let him know Detective Mitchel is here to speak to him. I’d much rather ask him questions in the comfort of his office than at the station.”

The receptionist grabbed the phone receiver and swiveled in her chair. A minute later she spun toward him. “His office is the first door to the right.”

Connor nodded and turned toward the short corridor. Evelyn stayed close behind him. He’d gone over what she should expect on the way over. She’d agreed to hang back while he asked the questions. Hopefully they could get the information they needed quickly and get out.

The first door they came to stood wide open. He rapped his knuckles against the doorframe and took a step into the room. “Mr. Wilson? I’m Detective Connor Mitchel with the NYPD. I have a few questions about your son, Gabriel.”

Gene Wilson’s mouth pinched inward, and red colored his wrinkled face. “You,” he said, pointing a finger at Connor. “I knew you lied to my wife about wanting Gabriel’s number.” He came to his feet, and his voice shook. “I want the name of your superior. Just because you’re a cop doesn’t mean you can do whatever the hell you want.”

Connor winced and raised his palms as he took another step toward Mr. Wilson. He’d figured this would be an issue, and acting contrite would get him further with Gabriel’s pissed-off dad than defending his actions. “I lied. I’m sorry. I was desperate.”

“You’re about to get a whole lot more desperate after I talk to your boss.”

He’d be in a shit ton of trouble if his boss found out he was interviewing civilians about a case he wasn’t supposed to be on, but he didn’t care. “I’ll give you whatever information you want, but I need you to answer some questions first.”

Mr. Wilson snorted. “Why would I do that?”

“Because your son is on the run from the police right now, and I need your help to find him.”

Mr. Wilson anchored his fists on his desk. “More lies. Enough, or I’ll sue you for slander.”

Connor fought to keep his temper in check. “Have you heard from him today? How often do you speak with him during the week?”

“I don’t need to answer your questions. My son has done nothing wrong.” Mr. Wilson rounded his desk, his finger pointed at Connor’s chest again.

The man wasn’t going to offer any information. The prick was the kind of person who’d rather hire an army of defense attorneys to cover his ass than help with an investigation. Time to push his buttons and watch his reaction. “Did Gabriel do nothing wrong when he killed birds and kept them on the roof in homemade houses? What about when he pushed Simon Thompson into oncoming traffic?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Mr. Wilson ground his teeth together, his words tight and full of menace.

Connor pushed into Mr. Wilson’s personal space. No way he’d let the jerk try to intimidate him. The top of Mr. Wilson’s head barely reached Connor’s chin, and Connor stared down into hardened hazel eyes. “Did you help him? Did you throw away the evidence that would have exposed your son for the monster he is? Why didn’t you get him help? Maybe it could have stopped him from the downward spiral that led him to kidnap and murder innocent women.”

A vein bulged from the side of Mr. Wilson’s neck. “Stop it. You don’t know what you’re talking about. Gabriel is a smart man. He’s not a monster.”

“Are you sure about that?” Evelyn asked, stepping out from the corner. Tears lingered in her eyes and she lifted her chin, exposing the marks on her neck Gabriel had left. “He tried to kidnap me, he threatened a child, and if Connor hadn’t come along, who knows where I’d be. Your son did this to me. Where is he?” Her voice shook, and fire sparked in her eyes.

Mr. Wilson glanced toward Evelyn, his gaze sharpened on her neck. “Who are you? Some tramp trying to blame all your problems on my son? What do you want, money? Do yourself a favor and spread your legs instead of lies about my son. It will get you a hell of a lot further in life.”

Rage burned bright in Connor’s vision. “Don’t speak to her like that. If you don’t want to cooperate, fine. I’ll see your pathetic ass in the station soon. Gabriel’s wanted for a whole host of reasons. We will find him, with or without your help. And when we do, there’s nothing you can do to protect him anymore.” He grabbed Evelyn’s hand and stormed out of the room.

A tug on his hand stopped him in the middle of the hallway. He turned toward Evelyn, and the worry in her brown eyes melted the anger firing his nerve endings. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t supposed to say anything. I screwed up your interview.”

He closed the space between them and snaked his hands up the back of her neck, his fingers sliding through the soft tangle of her hair. “You have nothing to apologize for. The guy’s an asshole. No way he would have answered my questions, but he didn’t have to. I got a pretty good picture of his relationship with Gabriel.”

“So you think he’s helping Gabriel?”

“I think he’s helped him in the past. I’m just not sure how far he’s gone and how much he knows.”

“What now? Are we going to talk to Simon?”

Connor shook his head. He had so many emotions boiling over inside him he wanted to scream. Not to mention all the pent-up sexual tension he’d pushed down since he’d met Evelyn. Kissing her last night might not have been the best idea.

“No. I’m wound tighter than one of those stupid pop-up toys. If I don’t get some of this energy out, I’ll explode. We’re going to the gym.”