Page 19 of Ruptured
You’re acquainted with my son, Randolph Foy. I won’t get into the particulars of that doomed alliance, so I’ll get straight to the point.
Joe Foy entrusted me with documents that my son brought to Bash Caldwell. Now, shit has hit the fan. Megan Caldwell is in as much danger as my son. If you can call me at thenumber listed at the bottom of this letter, I am happy to overnight you the documents. I cannot send them without knowing where they will land.
The phone is a burner that I will keep for a month. After that, I will know you aren’t interested in extricating Outlaw’s wife or my son from their dire circumstances.
This is what I know. Megan owns everything. Her father appropriated her name and social security number and secured loans. At some point, he did remove her as the sole beneficiary, but Sharper Banks and Logan Donovan falsified documents and returned it all to her.
There is a final will with a woman named Marion. Who the hell knows what that reveals, but it seems as if Big Joe got wind of what happened, and he took measures to safeguard her. K-P was stealing documents. First, he hung around for Big Joe, then he stayed to watch over Outlaw, Johnnie, Val, and his godsons, whom he adored. It cost him his life.
If anyone has any connection to New Orleans, all the original documents are in a house there, stuck in a wall. I don’t know whose house or if those crazy motherfuckers broke into a random home to hide them. But that’s all the proof Bash needs. If Randolph opens his fucking mouth or Bash figures it out on his own, Megan’s dead.
I figure if you can find them first and take them to Outlaw, he can figure it out. He’s brilliant.
I owe Outlaw and Johnnie. More than you’ll ever know. And I love my son. I’m furious at the predicament he’s put me in, but he suggested I contact you and lay all the cards on the table.
Here they are.
Sincerely,
Hopper
Hands shaking, Johnnie reread the letter until the words blurred in front of him and he could repeat each paragraph from memory. In a single piece of paper, he had all the answers. The who: Randolph, that fucking idiot, alerted Bash to the documents. Why? Because he was a fucking idiot. Johnnie assumed it was also because he needed help with the Imperials. It was why Mystic contacted Christopher. How? Big Joe gave documents to Hopper; Randolph found them and brought them to Bash.
Clearing his throat, he folded the sheet of paper and laid it next to him.
“The only person connected to New Orleans is Lolly, Dad.K-P’sLolly. It has to be a house she once lived in.”
So many fucking lives were at stake. But if Randolph hadn’t given up where the originals were, he never would. Even if he blabbed to save his life, Bash probably wouldn’t believe him. Motherfuckers said anything to help themselves.
“Dad, this is your chance to make everything right. If you get the information to save Aunt Meggie and bring it to Uncle Christopher, he might be angry with you, but he’ll forgive you. You’ll save her.”
“But only if I bring it to Christopher, right, son? Not on my own merits?”
“I didn’t mean—”
“How did you know about the letter?” Johnnie interrupted impatiently, uninterested in Rory’s explanation.
“I was watching Mom,” Rory admitted without remorse. “Gramps told her it came from Michigan without a postmark. It seemed suspicious.”
“What do you mean you were watching Kendall? Have you tapped into her camera?”
“Someone needs to look out for her. Bash is on the loose.”
“Don’t interfere with something that doesn’t concern you.”
“I beg to differ. She’s my mother. Her safety and mental health concerns me greatly.”
“Is that a dig?”
“Not an effective one if I have to explain it.” Rory stomped to Johnnie’s side and snatched the letter. “Never mind, I’ll take it to Uncle Christopher. I should’ve known better than to trust you to do the decent thing and actually fuckinghelp.”
Johnnie grabbed the edge of the paper and yanked so hard, he ripped it in two.
Rory gasped. “Dad—”
In a blind fury, Johnnie tore his half to tiny shreds.
Tears rushed to Rory’s eyes. “What are you doing?”
