Page 27 of Stand By You
The man answered with a gruff voice. “What is it?”
“We believe we know who is behind Travis’ abduction,” Nick said.
“Is it a theory or do you have actual proof because I am getting my ass chewed by higher ups at the moment,” Simons said. “No Amber Alert. Allowing the father twenty-four hours to inform his ex-wife, yada yada. I’m being treated like I don’t know how to run my own investigation suddenly.”
“It’s our theory, but I think we have solid evidence of events that proves it could be true,” Nick said. “We just need for you to investigate the mother.”
Simons sighed. “You told me the mother lost her custodial rights and isn’t in the boy’s life. The father wanted her managed carefully so she wouldn’t relapse when she learned about the abduction.”
“That’s right which all leads to motive,” Nick said. “The father’s remarried, he’s out of the picture for a few weeks. The nanny has been injured but not killed like they tried to do. The court judge who ruled in the custody hearing was found murdered this morning. And I suspect her attorney is next because she failed to get Geneva even partial custody.. And now that she’s supposedly sober Geneva is going after Travis anyway she can.”
“Wait a minute,” Simons said. “Are you saying my new homicide case from this morning is related to this one?”
Nick whistled. “Your new case is the Stevens murder?””
“What?” Jillian asked.
Nick put his cellphone on speaker so she could hear. “His other case is the Stevens murder.”
Jillian’s mouth dropped open. “Holy…”
Nick held his phone in his hand and spoke into it. “Judge Michael Stevens presided over McGinty’s custodial hearing,” Nick explained. “Jillian heard it on the radio while we were outside the Quickie Mart.”
“Shit.” Simons was silent for a few moments. “Give me the woman’s information.”
“Geneva Reyes McGinty, although Jillian believes she may not use her married name anymore,” Nick said. “Her parents, Robert and Judy Reyes, are high rolling real estate agents in town.”
“So, she has money backing her,” Simons said.
“Sounds like it.”
“There’s money all around this case,” Simons said. “That explains why the mayor has stuck his nose into it and has been up my craw all day. I just don’t know how he got wind that McGinty’s son had been abducted. Unless her side of the family let it leak to cause trouble for my investigation and stall matters. If so, I’ll not only have her brought up on charges of third-degree felony of interference with custody but also charge them with tampering with an investigation.”
Nick whispered, “I need Geneva’s information.”
Jillian handed him her phone with her text message from Mr. McGinty showing Geneva’s phone number and address.
Nick took a photo of the message and sent it to Simons while they were on the call.
“Jillian, I want those letters you received before all of this started,” Simons said.
“Sure,” she said.
“We’ll get those to you,” Nick said, ending the call.
He glanced at his watch, checking the time before he reached for her hand and led her to the family room. He settled her on the sofa and propped her left leg with a few pillows beforechannel surfing to find something on the large screen television for them to watch. Then he sat at the far end of the sofa.
“I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling exhausted,” he said.
“It’s only four in the afternoon,” she said.
“I don’t care. I was up hours before you,” Nick said.
“That’s what you think. I couldn’t sleep last night for worrying over Travis,” she admitted. “I’m afraid if I stop, I might fall asleep.”
He patted her non-injured leg. “It’s okay if you do. We’ve accomplished so much today. Don’t you agree?”
“And yet, Travis is still missing.”
