“Good. I need a ride home.”
But I wasn’t going home. I wasn’t going anywhere without some new information. “Can
you wait an hour or so? I want to make one more stop.”
* * *
Wendy Madigan looked old and tired as she sat across from Talon and me. She was flanked by two orderlies who would be privy to our conversation, and an armed guard stood to the right. Wendy’s short hair was greasy and slicked back on her head. She looked very different than she had mere days ago.
“Hello, Joe,” she said.
At least she was in her right mind today.
“Hello, Talon.”
“Hello, Wendy,” Talon said.
“What brings you two here?” she asked.
“Information,” I said. “We need information.”
She sighed. “I’ve told you all I can.”
“The future lawmakers club. What was it about?”
“You know, you look so much like Brad, Joe.”
“So you’ve told me.”
She turned to Talon. “And you… You resemble your father, but not quite as much. It’s such a shame what happened to you.”
“Wendy, you told me that Talon was taken to punish my father. I need to know the details.” I drummed my fingers on the table.
“I shouldn’t have said that.”
“Well, you did.”
“That sounds like something I would have said to your father.”
“You did. When you thought I was him.”
She laughed. “Don’t be silly. I know who you are. Though you do look just like him.”
I heaved a sigh. “Wendy, are you saying you don’t remember holding me hostage?”
“Why would I do that?”
“It’s the reason why you’re here,” I said. “For God’s sake.”
One of the orderlies eyed me.
“Wendy,” Talon said. “We need the truth. If you can’t talk about the future lawmakers club, you need to tell us about our brother.”
“Ryan.” She closed her eyes dreamily.
“You said he’s your son,” I said. “I was six when Ryan was born. I remember our mother being pregnant. Having a big belly.”
“Those were pillows. Brad’s idea.”