“Interesting.”
“What?”
“People who have done nothing criminal rarely
lead with that.”
Another message arrived.
THIS IS BIGGER THAN MY FATHER.
Priya and I looked at each other.
Then:
MASON IS IN DANGER IF YOU START DIGGING.
My entire body went cold.
I called him.
He answered before the first ring finished.
“Claire.”
“What does that mean?”
“Where are you?”
“What does that mean?”
“I need to know where Mason is.”
“You don’t get to ask me that.”
“Claire, listen to me.”
“No. You listen. If you send me one more vague threat involving my son, I will hand every message to airport police.”
“It isn’t a threat.”
“Then explain it.”
Silence.
In the background, I could hear airport announcements.
Tyler lowered his voice.
“My father didn’t start this.”
“Start what?”
“The hospital arrangement.”
I looked at Priya.
She was already taking notes.
“Who did?”
“I don’t know.”
