whom Maples mentioned and he did what you’re talking about with Zella’s kid? He bought Missy.”
Mason inhaled. “I’ve thought about that more than I want. First, I fucking hate that Nancy or anyone else has gotten Lorna’s hopes up that Missy is alive.”
“Second?” I asked.
“The same principles apply. It was awful that we lost Missy when we did. Nancy is a cunt if she sold her own kid. That’s neither here nor there. She’s always been a cunt. At least Zella isn’t making that decision; she’ll have no choice. One point for her. Then again, if this Garcia had the money and the financial wherewithal to continue making payments, maybe Missy lucked out. I always thought she ended up like” —he took a breath— “the others. Fuck no, I don’t approve of Nancy selling her own daughter, but maybe, just maybe, it was the best option and Missy made it out.”
“Lorna wants me to search.”
Mason turned toward the window. “Of course she does.”
“What do you want?” I asked.
“I’ve got everything I want, all of it.”
His answer surprised me, most significantly because it didn’t address the subject of my question. “You’re saying you don’t care if we find your sister if she’s out there to be found?”
“No, I’m saying it won’t affect now. I have everything I want even though I don’t deserve any of it.”
“That’s not true.”
Mason’s stare narrowed. “Over the last twenty-four hours, I’ve fucking been considering heinous acts, things no decent man would even think of, and yet they’ve been playing on a fucking loop in my head. I could say I read about them or I saw them in some sick movie, but that’s not true and hell, Reid, I’m not lying to you. I’m a sick fuck. I’m not sure if life made me this way or if I always have been. Maybe Nancy’s selfish money-grabbing act to satisfy her addictions gave Missy an out Lorna and I never had. If that’s the case, she probably has a decent life. Why would she want to find Lorna and me and remember the shit beginning she had?”
My gaze narrowed as I stared at my brother-in-law. “Do you think Laurel or Lorna look at you and think you’re—to use your own words—a sick fuck?”
“They don’t really know me.”
I scoffed. “Bullshit. You’re wrong, Mason. They know you. I know you. Sparrow and Patrick, we all know you.”
“Yeah, well the three of you aren’t exactly upstanding citizens. The women wear blinders. They see what they want to see.” He shook his head. “It was the way Laurel saw me, seeing something other than pure evil, that had me so fucking off-kilter when we met again.”
“Maybe they see what we don’t show the rest of the world.”
Mason took a deep breath. “I have a torture session in my near future. This isn’t the best time to convince me of my internal goodness.”
“I’m not talking about today,” I said. “I’m talking about Missy. You’re right, Lorna has her hopes up. If we can’t find your other sister, then Lorna will have me, you, and everyone else to convince her that she has enough in her life. But if you’re suggesting that if Missy is out there, she’d be better off not knowing her brother and sister, the people who looked after her for the first nine years of her life, who still love her, and who want to see her, my response is you’re wrong.”
“Lorna’s rose-colored glasses have worn off on you.”
Romero weaved us through narrow streets. When I looked out the window, a light mist had begun to fall. The buildings were no longer residential but more industrial. “Halfway house?” I asked, emphasizing the last word.
“Not exactly,” Mason answered. “I didn’t trust Zella to stay quiet, or the kid. Most of these warehouses around here have been sitting empty for the last few years. We have access to one that is conveniently near a few that are still functioning. These particular ones are currently rented by a private company that collects and refurbishes used corrugated boxes.”
“Why?”
“The process is inexpensive and they can resell cheaper than new.” That wasn’t my question, yet he continued speaking. “With online sales increasing, they’re fucking making a mint with shipping companies. And on the plus side, their machinery is loud. Their cleaning process uses chemicals that stink. The company isn’t huge, but they have just enough employees that an extra car or two doesn’t warrant investigation.”
“You’ve used this place before.”
Mason nodded. “I know from experience that