Page 40 of Kai's Hunger

“I’m glad, but do they know who the victim is?”

“No,” I answered. Some poor schmuck who’d crossed paths with Patterson. Another innocent victim. “There was no ID on him.”

She gazed out the windshield. “That’s so sad.”

I reached for her, squeezing her hand in mine gave me strength. “I’m sure the police will do everything they can to find out who he is and locate his family.”

“Yeah.” She sighed. “And you still don’t know where your dad is.”

“No, but we have a lead. Wyatt wants us to check into it.” I sighed. “I’m afraid I need to take you home, Lily. He’ll need my help.”

“Of course,” she offered. “Actually, I still need to replace my phone. And check on my van. Maybe I could do that while you’re with Wyatt.”

I smiled. “That’ll work. In fact, I’m meeting him at the café. When you’re finished with your errands I can meet you there later. And you can use my car.”

“Are you sure?” She grinned. “I mean, I might decide I like it better than my old clunker of a van and drive off with it.”

“I’d find you, Lily.” I winked at her, then put the SUV in gear and took off out of the parking lot. “Have no doubt of that.” I tried to keep the conversation light, but I was too wound up by the knowledge that Patterson was off somewhere torturing my father. The only thing on my mind was getting him back. And making the sick bastard pay.

****

Lily

I saw the tension in Kai. His shoulders were stiff and his hands held the steering wheel in a white-knuckled grip. “So, your dad went searching for Fostine and got tangled up with a bunch of people that sell exotic animals?”

“Something like that. And there’s no telling what they’ll do to keep their operation safe.”

I didn’t know where to begin. How deep was I getting with Kai and his family drama? My brain was warning me to get out now while I still could. After all, I had my own family ugliness to deal with. But my heart was the one calling the shots and I didn’t have it in me to leave Kai. Not when he needed me the most.

“You’re quiet,” he murmured. “I’ve thrown too much at you.”

“No, it’s just, this is serious stuff, Kai. I mean, could you be in danger, too? Your brothers?”

“We’re safe,” he promised. “It’s Patterson who will suffer.”

“Patterson?”

“He’s the one who did this.”

“Did your brother give the name to the police?”

“Yes.” He scowled at me, his eyes ice-cold. “But we take care of our own.”

He was talking vigilante justice and I couldn’t condone that. “An eye for an eye is not the way to handle this. The police can bring this Patterson person in. Question him.”

“And when there’s no proof, then he walks.” He shook his head. “We cannot let that happen. Dad would be the one to suffer.”

I knew he was worried, but the urge to reason with him wouldn’t go away. “Taking the law into your own hands? You think that’s a good idea?”

He turned onto the street heading into town. “I think if we don’t act fast, then Dad could end up dead. We won’t sit back and do nothing.”

“But the police—”

“Have their hands full looking for a murder victim’s identity. Locating family. Waiting on an autopsy.”

When we reached a little rundown auto repair shop, Kai pulled up close to the front, then killed the engine and turned my way. “I know the things I’m saying seem barbaric to you, but please be patient with me.”

“I just think there is a right way to handle this that doesn’t get you hurt. Or killed.”

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