Claiming Felicity (Ace Security #4)(62)

“That you do.”

They looked at each other for quite a while until a voice asked, “Felicity Jones and Ryder Sinclair?”

Felicity turned and saw the detective standing in the door of the waiting area. She struggled to get up, but Ryder was there helping her stand before she could get her feet under her. They walked hand in hand into the back area of the Castle Rock Police Station.

After they’d gotten settled into the chairs in front of Detective Chris Baker, he told them why he’d called them down. “Just to be sure there was no connection between your godson’s kidnapping and what happened a year or so ago, we called the state penitentiary and checked on Grace’s parents. They were interviewed and didn’t admit to knowing anything about the abduction of their grandson.”

Felicity gasped. She hadn’t even thought about the Masons being involved. Of course, it wouldn’t surprise her, they were truly awful people. And they’d probably love to see their daughter’s child in danger. “Do they somehow know Joseph?”

Detective Baker looked uncomfortable for the first time. He fiddled with a pen on the desk in front of him and refused to meet their eyes before saying, “After speaking with both of them, we don’t think they’re involved at all. Margaret didn’t have any reaction whatsoever to Joseph’s name, and when she learned about her grandson’s disappearance, she seemed genuinely surprised. Then she laughed. Said her daughter deserved it. Walter didn’t seem to have much of a reaction at all. He’s not having an easy time of it in prison. The other inmates don’t think much of him.”

“She laughed?” Felicity asked in an incredulous tone.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“That bitch,” she bit out. “I knew she was heartless, but God, that’s her flesh and blood.”

Ryder put his hand on her leg and squeezed. “She didn’t care about her daughter in the least, why would she care about her grandson?”

“I don’t know, but still. That’s just . . . I don’t know what that is.”

Ryder squeezed her leg once more, then turned back to the detective. “Have you told my brother or Grace this?”

He shook his head. “No. I was going to tell them when they came into the station today.”

Felicity looked up at Ryder in concern. If Logan had heard what Margaret Mason had said about his son, he would’ve lost it. Neither he nor Grace needed that bitch’s negativity right now. She was very glad they had come to the station to talk with the detective instead of Logan and Grace.

The detective spoke again. “So, with the Masons ruled out, we’re still checking video surveillance in the downtown area to see if we can’t find more evidence. We have some interviews lined up and . . .”

Felicity tuned out the detective and turned her gaze to Ryder. They both knew what the cops would find. Nothing. Yesterday they’d learned that the gym’s cleaning lady, Mrs. Hanley, had been found murdered in her home. They’d had no idea she was missing because the gym was still being cleaned on a regular basis. By who, they had no concrete evidence of, but had a pretty good guess. They figured the woman’s death was most likely how Joseph had gained access to the gym in the first place.

No, the cops wouldn’t learn anything new by watching surveillance tapes of Joseph stealing little Nate out of her apartment and the gym. They already knew who had done it. All they had to do now was wait for the asshole to contact her and finish his decadelong stalking, once and for all.

As if he had come to the same conclusion, Ryder suddenly stood. “Thank you for letting us know,” he said abruptly.

“Uh, you’re welcome,” the detective stammered. He shook Ryder’s hand, and the next thing Felicity knew, her man was leading her out of the stuffy police station.

The drive back to Logan and Grace’s house was done in silence. Ryder took her hand once more when they arrived. Felicity needed that connection. She was trying to be tough and brave, but it was difficult.

“Has Rex said anything?” Felicity asked Ryder before they made it to the front door.

He shook his head. “No.”

“But he’s trying, right?”

Ryder turned to her then. He put his hands on her shoulders and looked down at her. She was again struck by the intensity of his gaze. On the outside he was calm and collected, but all it took was one look into his eyes, and the lethal killer was revealed.

“They’re all doing everything they can to find Nate, love. Rex has been calling in favors, and the guys have reached out to their contacts as well. We’re going to find him.”

Felicity bit her lip. “Joseph is going to want me to meet with him. He’s going to throw it in my face that he knows where the baby is and I don’t.”

“You’re not going with that fucker. No way. I can’t lose you, Felicity.”

She looked up at him, her eyes filling with tears. “Even if it means your nephew dies?”

Ryder closed his eyes then, the frustration and helplessness clear to read on his expression before he shuttered it. But as soon as they closed, his eyes opened again, and Felicity gasped at what she saw there.

“It won’t come to that. I won’t let it. Felicity, you need to know that you are my first concern. Will always be from here on out. You come before everyone. I love you, Felicity. More than I ever thought I could love anyone in my entire life. I’d move heaven and earth to make sure you have enough to eat, a roof over your head, whatever material things your heart desires, and that you’re safe.”