Wherever She Goes(70)

I call Ellie next. According to the text she’d sent, she’s only a few blocks away, but I can’t risk leading Orbec to her. I tell her to take my car back to her hotel and stay there until I can get in touch again.

“Is Beth all right?” she asks.

It takes me a moment to remember that I’d gone back to “save” Beth. I stifle a snort at that. I haven’t even processed what Beth has done. I haven’t had time.

“Beth is fine,” I say. “But she’s working with Denis.”

“What?”

“That’s why Denis’s thug was there. Remember how long it took Beth to get to the door when we arrived? I think she was calling him. That’s why she didn’t want us leaving so soon.”

“Oh my God.” A pause. “Are you sure?”

“Am I sure she called him? No. Am I sure she’s in on it all? No. But she told me to go in the basement while she got rid of him. She pretended to do that. He pretended to leave. Then she told him I was in the basement. I escaped out a basement window. “

“Oh my God.” She inhales. “I keep saying that. I’m sorry. It’s just . . . Kimmy was so afraid, and I kept telling her she was overreacting. We’d fight about it. I told her she was ruining her life and damaging Brandon’s out of pure paranoia. Once, I even suggested she see a therapist. Kimmy didn’t always make the best choices, but I could not imagine she fell in love with any guy who frightened her that much. She’d never talk about him, though. She’d shut me down and say it didn’t matter, that Brandon was in danger. Serious danger. And I didn’t believe her.”

Her voice breaks. I tell her the important thing is that she’s here for Brandon now. That she believes Kim now. And, understanding the danger, she’ll stay in that hotel room, right?

“I will. I absolutely will.”

“Good. Put the keys under the car mat, please. I’m going to swing by and take it. I’m also getting the police involved. I know that’s not what you wanted, and if you insist, I’ll leave you out of it . . .”

“No, you were right. This is a matter for the police. Tell them everything.”

“Okay. For now, get to your hotel. Park. Don’t contact me again. I’ll find the car. You stay safe.”





Chapter Thirty-Four





I have the taxi circle, so I can be sure Ellie parks and leaves before I arrive at the hotel. I find the car easily enough—at midafternoon the lot is almost empty. I drive straight to Paul’s office. I want him with me when I contact Laila. At this point, I’m starting to feel like legal representation might be wise. No, that’s an excuse. I just want to be with Paul. I’m holding it together and faking calm, but inside, I’m freaking out.

Part of me doesn’t even want to speculate on what’s going on here. Just shove aside any need to interpret and take the facts to Laila. But I can’t help trying to figure it out. Trying to make sense of it.

Beth Kenner is working with Hugh Orbec, which means she’s working with Zima. If Kim had handed over Brandon, as planned, Ellie still wouldn’t have gotten that call to come get the boy. He’d have gone straight to Denis.

But now Denis is looking for Brandon, which means he doesn’t have him. Kim didn’t give Brandon to Beth. Did she figure out that the one person she trusted in Chicago wasn’t trustworthy at all? Was Beth telling the truth about that—Kim called and pretended everything was fine, said she didn’t need Beth’s help after all? I think so. Something tipped her off, and she changed her plans.

But what did she change them to? Did she find someone else to take Brandon? Or did she turn over her insurance policy . . . and then pay for that mistake with her life?

I want to believe she found someone else, and Brandon is safe, and as soon as Denis is arrested for Kim’s murder, Brandon’s caretaker will decide to contact Ellie. Everyone lives happily ever after.

Thinking back to that day when Brandon was taken, I can find evidence to support my theory. Kim must have told Brandon to play for a while and then gave him a time to meet his guardian in the parking lot.

Then why did he fight it? He ran over, as if expecting to see someone he knew. Yet the man who came out of that SUV was a stranger, and Brandon fought.

Maybe in her haste to make new arrangements, Kim forgot to tell Brandon it wouldn’t be Beth picking him up. Or maybe Brandon just expected a woman.

It doesn’t matter who has the boy. He’s safe. I’ll take what I have to Laila, and the police will pick up the investigation from there.

I call Paul to let him know I’m coming. His cell goes to voice mail. I try his office instead.

“He’s not here, Mrs. Finch,” his admin assistant says.

“It’s Aubrey, please. He stepped out?”

“No, he’s gone for the day. He said if you called or stopped by, I should let you know he’d left and tell you to call his cell.”

I’d expected he’d wait for me to be done. Which is silly. As far as we knew, I was on a completely safe mission to interview a friend of Kim’s. No need for him to stay in Chicago, and if I’m disappointed, that’s personal. I wanted him to be waiting for me. He isn’t. Too bad.

“All right,” I say. “He’s not answering his cell, but I’ll leave a message. Did he say he was heading home?”