Page 23 of Dark Memories
The money’s yours when I get proof that my daughter hasn’t been harmed. I want to talk to her.
They waited five minutes for an answer. None came.
“I can’t take this,” Zach said. He grabbed his phone, pushed his door open, and got out.
Harry watched him stride to the front of the car, watched as he stared down at the pavement with his back to her and scrubbed his hand through his hair. Her heart cracked open another fraction of an inch. She didn’t want it to crack at all, but she was helpless to stop the fissures from happening. His kissing her hadn’t helped either. When his mouth had melded to hers, it was as if the past eight years evaporated, and she forgot why she wasn’t supposed to let him touch her. She feared she was in for a heap of hurt when all this was over and they each returned to the lives they’d created since parting.
He stared at the phone’s screen as if by force of will he could make it ring. She blinked away the tears in her eyes, then got out and went to him.
“Zach…” What did one say to a father who feared for his daughter’s life? Because of Abbie she knew there weren’t any words, so she did the thing she wanted to. She stepped up to his back and wrapped her arms around him.
A shudder traveled through him, and he turned so that her face was buried against his chest. His arms surrounded her in a tight vise, as if she was the only thing holding him together.
“I’ve never felt so helpless in my life,” he murmured.
“I know.” That was the best she could give him, that she understood.
His phone rang, and he jerked away. She was certain that his heart was pounding as hard as hers. “Kali?” she said, praying it was the kidnappers calling to let him talk to his daughter.
“It’s my brother.” His disappointment and frustration was in his eyes and in the air escaping his lungs. “He only calls when he’s in trouble or wants something.” With a weary sigh, he answered. “What’s up, Robbie?” He listened a moment, then said, “Say that again.”
He took the phone away from his ear and put it on speaker. His gaze caught hers, the fury in his eyes alerting her that whatever Robbie had said had Zach’s attention.
“Ah, is Kali with you?” Robbie asked, sounding both nervous and wary.
Oh hell, his family was involved somehow.
“Why are you asking me that?”
“Is she with you, or do you know for sure where she is?”
“And if I said no to both those questions?” Zach said, his voice turning to ice.
“Oh Jesus,” Robbie whispered. “I-I need to talk to you.”
“Where are you?”
“Home.”
“Listen to me very carefully, Robbie. I’m on the way, and you damn well better be there when I arrive. You hear me?”
“Yeah, man. I’ll be here.”
After disconnecting, Zach sucked in a breath, then loudly exhaled. “I’m going to kill him.”
She put her hand on his arm. “Please don’t. I don’t want to have to arrest you. Come on. Let’s go see what he has to say.”
* * *
The house Zach stopped at was a two-story colonial in an upscale neighborhood. He’d told her that he’d bought his mother and Robbie a house, and she hoped they appreciated his generosity. From the few things he’d said, though, it didn’t sound as if they did.
“We’re playing this by the book,” she said as they walked to the door. “He needs to know I’m a detective now, and that this is an investigation into Kali’s disappearance.”
“You’re the boss.”
He was vibrating with anger, and she hoped he managed to keep his hands off his brother. He didn’t knock, and she followed him in. They walked past a formal living room, down a hallway that took them to a family room at the rear of the house.
Robbie stood with his back to them at a sliding glass door. At hearing them enter, he turned. His cautious gaze went to Zach before sliding to her. He frowned. “Delaney?”
