Melt (Steel Brothers Saga #4)(71)

“So Luke’s parents never got a ransom note,” I said.

“No,” Wendy said. “None of the other kids’ parents got a ransom note. That would have made the news. Those poor kids were just playthings for these men while they were setting up for the kill.”

“And then I was taken, and it never made the news.”

“Yes, and I’m afraid I had a lot to do with that. But your mother was pregnant with your sister at the time, and Brad was really worried about her. If she’d had to talk to police officers and reporters… He wasn’t sure she could take it. As it was, she went into premature labor and delivered the girl early. Your sister wasn’t supposed to live, you know.”

“Yes,” Talon said, “we know. Thank you for letting Jade know about that. Now at least our sister knows why she has no middle name.”

I studied my hands. I remembered my mother having Marjorie. I had just turned thirteen, Talon had been gone for several weeks, and the baby had to stay in the hospital for quite a while. But I didn’t remember being worried about it. Heck, I didn’t know this new baby. But I knew my brother. And my brother was gone.

More guilt. Just put it in the guilt coffers. Thank God Marjorie had survived, or I’d feel guilty about that too—guilty for not caring about my new baby sister, who was hovering on the brink of death, because I was too wrapped up in feeling guilty about my brother, who was missing.

I shook my head to clear it. “So this whole thing was a sting basically. To get money out of my father.”

“That’s my take on it,” Wendy said.

“Then why not just kidnap the kids?” I asked. “Why molest Talon and kill the others?”

“I can’t begin to tell you what makes people child molesters,” Wendy said, turning to Talon. “You’d be better asking your therapist about that.”

“All right, then,” I said. “Who are these enemies that my father had? Enemies so powerful that they would kidnap his son, abuse him, and nearly starve him to death, for five million dollars?”

“I wish I could tell you. I can’t tell you how many times I begged Brad to tell me who they were. But he said he didn’t want to burden me with it. That as a newswoman, I would be constantly trying to find them, and he didn’t want my life ruined that way.” She sighed. “His heart was in the right place. His heart was always in the right place. But that doesn’t mean he always did the right thing.”

“Larry told Jade that he had reason to believe my father was involved in organized crime,” Talon said.

“I know. But trust me, Brad would never do that. He had a lot of integrity.”

“Then why would Larry say that?”

“Why does Larry Wade do anything? The man’s a criminal. A psychopath. Most likely a pathological liar as well. Don’t waste your time trying to figure him out. You won’t get very far.”

“So our father wasn’t in organized crime,” I said, “but he did have enemies. Enemies who apparently could be appeased for five million dollars.”

“Or some other amount,” Wendy said.

“And he didn’t tell you who these enemies were or why they were his enemies?”

“No, he didn’t. Even though I begged him to.”

“So my father paid the ransom?” I asked.

Wendy nodded.

“Why, then, did Larry get in so much trouble from the other two by letting Talon escape? I mean, if my father paid, weren’t these guys going to let Talon go?”

“I wish I could tell you,” Wendy said. “I realize parts of this story don’t jell together. I’m only telling you what I know.”

“Larry claims he never saw any of that five million dollars. He says none of it went to him.”

“He could be telling the truth for all I know,” she said, “or he could be lying. We’ll probably never know.”

“I do remember that he was the follower of the three,” Talon said. “The other two seemed to be more in charge. I got the feeling Larry was just along for the ride.”

“It’s hard to say,” Wendy said. “The other two may have approached Larry because of his familial connection. I don’t know, and I can’t really speculate.”

“We need to get on the road soon, Wendy,” I said. “Is there anything else you should tell us? Anything you haven’t gotten into?”

“Not that I can think of right off hand. It has been twenty-five years.” She looked at Talon intently. “I’m so very glad you’re okay. Please give Jade my best.”

Talon stood. “I sure will. She speaks highly of you. Thank you for the information. If we have more questions, may we visit you again?”

She stood and pulled Talon into a hug. “Of course. Anytime. I want to do all I can to help all of you.”

She turned to me, but I held out my hand. I didn’t want to hug this woman, and I couldn’t put my finger on why. Something bothered me—something I couldn’t put into words. As I shook her hand, I said, “Thank you. We really appreciate your time.”

“It’s nothing.” She smiled at me. “I truly wish I could do more.”

“I’m sure we’ll have more questions for you.” I tried to return her smile but wasn’t sure if I succeeded. “For now, we’ll be heading out. Come on, Tal.”