“I found out where you’re staying by myself. As for coming here alone, I just threatened Rick. I told him I’d file a case against him if he didn’t let me go. Apparently, he’s not very keen on going to jail.”
That’s because he’s new.
“Poor Rick.”
“You should feel sorry for yourself.” Jodie takes a step forward. “Because you’re the one who’s going to end up in jail if you don’t hand me that package.”
My eyes narrow. Jodie knows about the package?
“What package?”
She snorts. “Don’t deny it. I know you got a package from the zoo.”
So she does know? How? There’s only one way I can think of.
“You hacked my email account?”
“I wish,” Jodie answers. “I’m not that good. I just stole your password.”
When? When I was napping on the couch? Is that why she seduced me? To throw off suspicion?
So she got my password! That would explain how she knew I was here. The hotel sent me a confirmation letter, after all.
I guess I should just be grateful that’s my work email and not the one I use to contact other members of the family. I’m not that stupid.
“Why do you want the package?” I ask her.
“Because it contains information about my father’s murderer. Isn’t that right?”
So that’s what she assumed.
“I know you’re hiding something from me. We went to that warehouse, you went to see your father, and then you left. Of course there’s something going on.”
“And I’m sure you’re going to tell me what.”
“I bet that warehouse belongs to your father. You confronted him. You found out he killed my father. He threatened you. Maybe he threatened to kill me. So you told me the investigation’s over and you left.”
“That doesn’t make sense,” I tell her. “If I stopped investigating your father’s death, why would I suddenly get information about a package?”
“Exactly. You didn’t stop. You only told your father you did.”
“Really?”
Jodie puts a hand on her hip. “I read the emails you and my dad sent to each other. I couldn’t believe it, but you were close. He treated you like a son and you looked up to him like a father.”
That’s true.
“You want to find out who killed him just as much as I do. Whatever is in that package is probably something you’re planning to use to bring your father down. Well, I want it. I’m going to bring him down myself.”
“And if I don’t give it to you, you’ll have me thrown in jail?”
“Yeah,” she answers with no hesitation. “You can wait for your father there.”
“Then you wouldn’t be able to get the package, would you?” I point out.
Jodie frowns. “Oh, I will. I’m giving you a way out here. You can hand it to me nicely or I can call the cops right now and then I’ll get my hands on it once you’re in jail. So either you give it to me or I’ll take it.”
“And if I say I don’t have it?”
“I’ll have to strip you and find out,” she says.
I scratch the back of my head and grin. “Taking my clothes off has become your new hobby, hasn’t it?”
I unzip my jacket.
“Why don’t I spare you the trouble and do it myself?”
She lifts a finger and glares. “Don’t you dare try to seduce me.”
I shrug. “You did the same to me to cover up your crime.”
She grins. “So you are trying to cover up your crime?”
Fuck.
“I didn’t say that.”
Jodie extends her arm. “Just give me the package. Now. Or I’ll tell everyone you work with what an asshole you are.”
I narrow my eyes at her. “Another threat?”
She must be desperate.
“Now,” she repeats.
I shake my head. “No.”
She frowns.
I draw a breath. “You know, I have to say this whole theory of yours sounds good. I can tell you put a lot of thought into it.”
“Don’t you dare mock me.”
“But it’s not true. I already told you the truth. My father found out I put you in danger and decided it wasn’t safe for you to be with me.”
“In danger of finding out the truth that he murdered his best friend?”
I ignore her. “And the package you’re talking about? It has nothing to do with your father’s murder.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
Jodie’s eyes narrow. “I don’t believe you. What’s in that package, then?”
“Nothing that concerns you.”
“Let me see it.”
She tries to search my back pockets. I grab her wrists and pin them against the wall.
“Jodie,” I warn her as I try to hold my temper back.
“What is it?” She struggles against me. “What’s in the package? You got it, didn’t you? Tell me what it is so I know you’re not lying. Tell me!”
“It’s a clue to my mother’s murder!” I finally blurt out.
Jodie’s eyes grow wide as her jaw drops.
“Your… mother was… murdered?”
There. I’ve said it.
I let her wrists go and touch the nape of my neck as I turn my back to her. “Now do you believe me?”