“You think I convinced him to cancel your wedding?”
“You’re not that good an actor, Mr. Morse,” I said. “And he didn’t cancel the wedding. He didn’t show up to the wedding because you told him Jade wasn’t good enough for him.”
“That’s preposterous.”
“Either you’re lying or Colin’s lying,” I said. “Hmm, I wonder which one would lie?”
“Look, Ted,” Jade said. “We’re concerned about Colin. We want to find him. If you haven’t seen him in a week, how do you even know he’s missing?”
“Because of this.” He thrust his phone at us, revealing a text.
I have your son.
“When did this text come in?” I asked.
“Right before I called Jade.”
“And I suppose you’ve considered that it’s a hoax?”
“Of course I’ve considered that it’s a hoax, but it was an Iowa area code. Not a lot of hoaxes come out of Iowa.”
An Iowa code. All the texts Joe and Bryce received had come from an Iowa area code.
“Okay, let’s assume it’s real,” I said. “Has he asked for anything?”
“Money.”
I laughed. “Poor guy. He has no idea you’d give up your son sooner than you’d give up money. In fact, you did give up your son once. For money.”
“You have no proof of that.”
“I have all the proof I need. You. Standing there looking like a fashion plate when your son is missing. If anyone ever accused my father of selling out one of his kids, he would not take it lying down. The most you can come up with is some false outrage. You’re a phony, Mr. Morse.”
Jade was ominously silent, both hands on her belly.
“Jade?” I said.
“It’s nothing. Just a little cramping. Probably gas. I’m okay.”
Shit. I really shouldn’t have
let her come along. “We’re going back to the hospital.”
“No, really, I’m—”
“No arguments. It’s what Talon would want. I’ll be calling him too, by the way.”
“No! Please let him have his little overnight with the boys. They all need it. Please, Marj.”
“My brother would never forgive—”
We all jerked at the fierce pounding on the door.
“Open up, Morse!”
Bryce! I nearly flew to the door of the condo where Ted Morse was staying.
Bryce and Joe stood outside.