Landry turns, releasing my hip without a word and walks over to the door. He opens it and immediately my stomach growls as the food cart makes its way into the room.
I hadn’t realized it, but I honestly can’t remember the last time that I’ve eaten. A few minutes later, after the food is out on the table, I watch as a sleepy Holden opens the bedroom door and shuffles toward me.
I scoop him up into my arms and carry him over to the table. He rests his head against my chest as I sink down in my seat. Without a word, Landry starts to prepare two plates. One for me and one for Holden.
When he sets them in front of me, I reach out, wrapping my fingers around his wrist and squeeze. “Thank you, baby,” I whisper.
His lips turn up into a grin and he dips his chin as he makes his own, then sits down with a grunt. “What do we do now, Hansen? We’re here and we aren’t leaving until Helen is found.”
Hansen grunts, placing his plate in front of him, and lets out an exhaled breath. “I started looking into Susan last night. She’s a spider web, Landry,” he murmurs. “I haven’t been able to connect her…”
“Yet,” Landry grinds out.
“Yet,” Hansen agrees.
“Did Danny get any extra cash recently?” I ask.
I remember Aaron saying that Susan paid him. If this is her MO then it makes sense, and Danny should have received a check of some kind.
“Not yet.”
“He has her, that’s what you think? That she’s okay and he’s holding her for Susan and this is her twisted way of torturing me?” I ask.
Hansen’s gaze flicks from me to Landry, then back to me. “It’s the only theory I have right now,” he admits.
This whole thing sounds terrifying, because he’s not sure. Nobody is sure and he can’t find Danny to ask if it’s true or not, to question him, to find out where the fuck my mother is.
Turning my head, I look over to Landry as I cuddle Holden close to me. “If Susan is involved, I’m not going to just let this go away, you know that?”
Landry’s lips twitch, but he doesn’t smile. In fact, a muscle tics in his cheek. “I won’t let her get away with it, honey. I’m done and I’m not accepting this. Aaron was her last scheme, and even that I’m not over. She’ll pay for what she’s done.”
Shifting my gaze back over to Hansen, I clear my throat. “What happens now?”
He smirks, turning back to Landry. He has a plan, he has something, which is why he was insistent that we come here. I can see it in his eyes, he’s not giving up and I’m thankful. He levels Landry with his eyes, his lips curving into a shit-eating grin, then he asks him a question, one that for whatever reason never crossed my mind until he voices it.
“Does Susan own any property in Oklahoma?”
Chapter Forty-Three
LANDRY
My blood turns cold at his question. How could I have not thought of that before? Of course, Susan has property in Oklahoma. Her parents’ home. I never asked her why she didn’t sell it after they passed, but I know that she didn’t.
I pick up my sandwich and bring it to my lips, watching him, I dip my chin. “She does. Her parents’ place. I’m not sure if her name is on the deed or not.”
Hansen clears his throat. “That’s where we’ll start. I’ll get on finding the address,” he murmurs.
He stands and leaves a few moments later with a promise to meet with us in the morning, along with the detectives that have been on the case. Something niggles in the back of my head. Something that doesn’t seem right.
This is too easy, far too easy. Susan is a drunk, but she’s not stupid, never has been. This would be too easy. The fact that she owns her parents’ house is so simple. Clearing my throat, I lean back as he gathers his things.
I don’t say anything, because I think by tomorrow, we may know more about the situation. Hell, Susan could be that dumb, who knows. We’ll find out tomorrow. Hansen leaves and I stay seated right where I am, my eyes transfixed on Tennessee and the way she holds Holden against her.
She’s scared. I can see it in her eyes, she’s downright terrified. “Landry?” she breathes.
“I love you, honey.”
It’s all that I can think to say. I know that soon