Showdown in Mudbug (Ghost-in-Law, #3)(66)

Lila nodded. “I understand. When Hank first left you, he had gotten in with a rough crowd. Some of them you met when they were trying to collect, but that wasn’t the worst of them. He finally realized that his life was headed to an early end, and he checked himself into rehab in Mississippi. It’s probably what saved his life.”

Maryse sighed. “I guess I don’t really have any room to complain anymore, as he sorta took a bullet that was meant for me a month ago.”

Lila shook her head. “You have every right to complain. The Hank Henry that you knew wasn’t a worthy enough person to have a relationship with anyone, but you have to believe me when I tell you he’s changed. He’s really trying to do the right thing, and this job is the start of a real future for Hank.”

Maryse turned up her hands. “Then if he’s really changed and the job is great, why did he take off again? And how do you think I can help you?”

“Chuck and I think Hank was kidnapped.”

“What?” Maryse sat straight up in her chair.

“We called the police. They looked things over and agree that it looks suspicious.”

“Holy crap. Are there any suspects?” Maryse shook her head. “What am I saying? This is Hank. The list of suspects is the same as his list of creditors.”

“There was a guy at the site one day that Chuck didn’t like the look of. Hank was talking to him, and Chuck said Hank looked aggravated, but when Chuck asked about it, the guy said he was just asking for directions. Chuck didn’t really buy it. He said Hank looked nervous after talking with him, but Chuck didn’t press him. He wishes he had pushed, now. He’s blaming himself, which is wrong.”

“What did the guy look like?”

“Chuck said he had dark hair, dark sunglasses, and drove a black Cadillac.”

Maryse felt the color wash from her face. “A black Cadillac? Chuck is sure?”

“Yes. He said he remembers specifically because he looked at the car to buy one, but ultimately he didn’t want to pay for it. Why? Is that important?”

“It may be.” Maryse studied Lila for a second. The woman was clearly worried. She’d stirred her coffee during the entire conversation but had yet to take a single sip. “I’m just wondering why you’re here telling me all of this.”

Lila blushed. “Um, well, one of the days before that, when Chuck thought he saw the Cadillac, Hank came in and asked to use his cell phone. He claimed his was dead, and he needed to call his ex-wife. I guess maybe we just thought he might have told you something.”

“Did you tell the police about that call?”

“No.” Lila frowned. “What’s going on, Maryse? Do you know something about Hank that you’re not telling me? I saw your face when I mentioned the black Cadillac. Is Hank in trouble? Is there anything I can do?”

Maryse stared at her, finally understanding why Lila was talking to her. “You care about him.”

Lila looked down at her coffee. “Well, of course I’m worried when anyone I know comes up missing.”

“That’s not what I meant, but I won’t push you.” Maryse sighed. “Hank did call me that day, but it’s not him that’s in trouble, or at least we didn’t think it was. He was stuck in the middle of a situation involving a friend of mine, and he called to warn me so I would warn her.”

“What kind of situation?”

“I can’t really tell you much without breaking a confidence, but suffice it to say that some very bad people are looking for her. I promise you, she’s above reproach, but the people who are looking for her are some of the same people that Hank was involved with before. They know he was married to me and that she’s my friend, so they’ve been trying to shake him down for information.”

“But Hank wouldn’t give them what they wanted.”

“No, and in all fairness he doesn’t know the answers to their questions. We all thought it better if he didn’t.”

Lila nodded. “That makes sense. You’re certain your friend is telling you everything?”

“I’m positive. I can tell you that the local police and the FBI are trying to protect her. This is huge, Lila. She’s in a life-threatening situation, and the fallout reaches far beyond her. She’s just as unhappy about that and feels guilty as hell, but I promise you, there’s nothing she can do about it that is not already being done.” Maryse sighed. “I’m sorry I have to be so cryptic, but the police have really forbidden me to talk about anything.”

“Please, don’t apologize. I understand completely. Well, not really, but I understand why you can’t provide me with details. The FBI? Wow. I shudder to think what your friend’s gotten in the middle of that rates that kind of attention.”

“It’s been kinda hairy. That’s for sure.”

“And the New Orleans police are also aware of this situation?”

“Yes.” One of them, anyway.

“Then they’ll be able to connect the dots to Hank’s disappearance?”

“I will call my contact and make sure that they do, if they haven’t already.”

“Thank you.” Lila opened her purse and pulled out a business card. She wrote a phone number on the back of the card and handed it to Maryse. “The woman that’s in danger—if there’s anything I can do, please let me know. I have connections with several safe houses.”