What Happened to the Bennetts(31)

Lucinda hugged Ethan. “Let’s go back to sleep, honey.”

Ethan snuggled against her, with Moonie. “I’m tired.”

“I’ll go eat,” I said, my throat suddenly thick.

Shaken, I turned away.





Chapter Sixteen



I went downstairs, trying to sort my thoughts. I never felt right when Lucinda and I were at odds. Our marriage was solid ground, the terra firma of my life, but this was disturbances-in-the-field time. If Lucinda really blamed me for Allison’s murder, I had no idea what to do.

I walked to the front door, driven to get some air. I hadn’t been to the marsh yet and it was closer than the beach. I left the house, went down the stairs, and crossed under the stilts holding up the house. Out back was a path through underbrush, and I made my way through the scrub pines, needles scratching my forearms.

My shirt clung to me, and humidity weighed the air. I reached the clearing and took in the view of the water. Sun shimmered on the surface, making shifting shadows of darkness and light. Ducks flapped their wings as they landed. The mosquitoes and horseflies buzzed. I inhaled, but it smelled like decomposing things.

“Jason?” Dom called behind me.

“Oh, hi,” I said, startled, then remembered about the cameras.

“I spoke with my boss, and it’s confirmed. They’re putting a surveillance team on your mother-in-law’s nursing home and Melissa’s street, for the foreseeable future.”

I forced a smile. “That’s great, thank you.”

“And we’re arranging a way to pay severance to your employees. We’ll have to work out the details.”

I forced another smile. “Thank you again.”

Dom cocked his head. “What’s the matter? I thought you’d be happy.”

“Lucinda’s pissed I told you she was on Facebook. You didn’t tell your boss, did you?”

“Yes, and he says no-go on the message to Melissa.”

“That’s a bad call. Did you tell him she’s not going to quit?”

“Yes, I tried. In fact, he told me she reported your family as missing to the locals.”

“Oh no.” My chest went tight. “Now what happens? What do the police do?”

“Nothing.”

“Do they know we’re with you?”

“Yes, but only at the highest level.”

“Did you make my argument?”

“Yes, that’s why I got protection.”

“Can I talk to him?” I asked, on impulse. “You just talked to him, right? Let’s call him now. What did you say his name was? Gremmie?”

“No, he doesn’t know we call him Gremmie. Richard Volkov.” Dom slid his phone from his pocket, pressed speed dial, and said into it, “Hey, I’m here with Jason Bennett. You got a sec to talk to him? Thanks. I’ll put you on speaker.” Dom pressed the speaker button. “Richard, I have Jason Bennett.”

I didn’t hesitate. “So you’re Dom’s boss?”

“Yes.” Special Agent Volkov cleared his throat. “Please accept my condolences. We know this is a difficult time for you and your wife. We appreciate your cooperation and—”

“Thank you, but why is it so hard to find Milo?”

“The investigative team is working around the clock on—”

“Then I want to talk directly to them.”

“Mr. Bennett, first let me say we’ve had a major development in your case. We learned that Milo has fled the country. We believe he’s in Mexico.”

“Wait, what?” I couldn’t process it fast enough. “He got away?”

“No, we don’t look at it that way. We will apprehend him there and bring him to justice. We have extradition with Mexico.”

“That’s still away. He got away.” I fought for emotional control. “How did he get to Mexico? How did that happen?”

“We’re as disappointed as you, but—”

“Disappointed? Is that what you think I am?” Try furious! I felt my jaw clench. “He cannot get away with killing my daughter.”

“He won’t. We’re liaising with DEA, DHS, and the Mexican authorities. This case is our top priority.”

“How do you know he’s in Mexico?”

“I can’t divulge that.”

“Where in Mexico?”

“I can’t divulge that, either.”

“Is he connected with drugs there, like a cartel?” I couldn’t believe I was saying the words. I didn’t know anything about drug cartels. It was like a TV show.

“We can’t divulge that information, either.”

“He’s not Mexican, is he?”

“No.”

“How did he get there? Did he fly?”

“We don’t believe so.”

“When did this happen?” I looked at Dom, who hadn’t said a word about this on our run. “Why am I just hearing this now?”

“We were just informed. I just told Dom.”

Dom nodded, sympathetic. “I was about to tell you.”

At least Dom hadn’t kept it from me. “I want you to keep me posted, both of you. I want to know everything as soon as you know it. Getting blindsided makes it worse.”