Anything.
Especially because I’d rocked that wig.
* * *
“Haveyou heard anything from the police?” Atticus asked, stretching. We’d gotten a little sleep when we’d returned, but we’d been up for a while, combing through the evidence and cameras we’d collected. We needed to know if we had a mole or if Dayton had found someone to do his dirty work.
“Not yet. I can give the police chief a call.” Putting the photos down, I picked up my phone and dialed his number. I didn’t wait to hear what Atticus said. Even if he said no, I’d still call, knowing he’d want to know.
“I’m starting to regret giving you my number, Mr. Wessex.”
“And here I thought we had something special.” He chuckled, and I waited for him to get somewhere quiet, the children in the background not ideal for what I wanted to talk to him about. Once I heard a door shut, I started, not wanting to waste time. “Anything?”
“Nothing concrete yet. There was a partial fingerprint on the door that they were running through the system. If it pings, I’ll let you know.”
“It’s Dayton,” I sighed. “He got someone to do it. It has to be.”
“I’m looking into it. He’s not supposed to be able to integrate with the other inmates, so I’ll call the warden myself. I know how important it is he stays where he is.”
“Good. I’d hate for our special bond to be ruined so soon, Chief.”
“There’s no need to pull that trigger yet, Sax. I’ll be in touch.” He hung up before I could, and I smiled, knowing I’d rattled the man. I didn’t plan to reveal his secret, but he might work a little harder if he was more worried. Sometimes you just had to properly motivate people.
When I looked at the time, I knew I had to bring up the elephant in the room. “You can’t cancel again.”
Atticus glanced up a scowl on his face. He was regretting allowing Jude and Immy to go on their date. He’d already postponed it three times for various reasons and told them he would make sure it wouldn’t be this time. I feared Imogen would go full rebellion on him if he did.
“Topher’s going with them. They’ll be fine. It’s now or never, Mas. You can’t keep them in glass cases their whole lives. They’ve been training with Grumpy. They’ll have a guard. Let them go. I’m sure it will gain you some bonus points too.”
His scowl deepened, but he sighed, rubbing his hand across his face. “You’re right. I just don’t like it.”
“It could be worse. Imogen could decide she wants five boyfriends too,” I teased, wanting to wind up Atticus.
His head snapped up, his finger pointing at me. “Don’t even give her the idea. One is enough.”
“At least you agree that Jude is a good match for her. He’s a good kid. You know this.”
“Yeah, yeah.” He sighed again, and I worried he’d need blood pressure medication before this was all over. “Fine. They can go, but I get to tell them.” He jumped up, but I slid the chair in his way, stopping him as I called Imogen on my phone. Her face lit up the screen, and I smiled at her as I held her brother back.
“Immy, your date is a go. Be ready.”
She squealed, thanking me. “You’re the best, Sax! Love you the most!”
I beamed over at Atticus, who’d finally stopped trying to get by me, a deep frown on his face. “You hear that, Mas? I’m the best!” Looking back to the phone, I said my goodbyes and placed it back on the desk.
“You’re an asshole,” he grumbled, sitting back in his chair.
“Yep.” Grinning, I flipped back through the photos we’d printed when something caught my eye.
“Mas, look!” I pointed to the image, looking up at him. His face transformed once he realized what it meant as well. It was the logo for the Masked Kingpin.
“Busted, Dad.”
Taking a picture, I sent it to the chief so they could use it for whatever they needed. However Dayton had managed to make friends, he was about to find himself in isolation. I couldn’t deny that it made me feel like I’d sleep a little better at night. Until Dayton was formally charged and sentenced, I wouldn’t discount his ability to con people into believing whatever he wanted.
At least for now, we had him contained, which was better than the alternative.