When the Heart Lies - By Christina North Page 0,76
We’ll get hits on any credit or debit card purchases. But we have no leads as to where or why they took her. Until we get a call, we’ll assume its money or murder.”
Perking up, he put aside the beer bottle. The label was almost completely peeled off. “I just remembered, you said Angela had some family in South Carolina. You said she was there when you vacationed with Xavier? Wayde’s discharge papers show a South Carolina address as his enlistment address. Let’s see if Angela could’ve been there around the same time. If they know each other …maybe, he has a beef with Angela and is using Kinsley. ”
Her brows raised, and she nodded in agreement. “Or she has a beef with Kinsley and is using him?”
He relaxed, sinking back into his chair. Relieved they may have found some connection that would explain why she was taken. “Make the call.”
~ ~ ~
Both Xavier and Nick leapt from the sofa when the phone rang. Xavier took a breath before picking up. “Xavier Wentworth.”
Olivia spoke through the phone. “I have you on speaker with Jackson and Detective Mills. Is Nick with you?”
“Yes, he’s here. I asked Jonathan in, too. He may need to be aware of what’s going on in case he intercepts a call.” Xavier put the phone on speaker and sat on the side of his desk.
Olivia’s voice filled the room. “Okay, unfortunately we’re not going to have a lot of information that’s new. We pulled Remy Davis’s record. There’s a long list of petty crimes but, more importantly, an assault. He spent at least ten years of his life behind bars. Wayde’s record is clean. We got the plates on the black 1979 Cadillac. We put an APB out for both men, and all units are looking for the car. We’ll set up roadblocks, but not until we have some indication of where they’re headed. With their head start, we may never get that far. I’ll let Jackson update you on what he found out today.”
Jackson leaned in toward the receiver; he spoke with a weighty, stern tone. “I met with
Remy Davis’s wife today. She hasn’t seen him and said she wouldn’t be surprised by anything he did. She gave me a list of taverns he frequents. I’ve been able to get to three of them tonight. Davis doesn’t have many friends, and those who know him haven’t seen him around in a few days. I gave my card to the people who were willing to take it and asked them to call if they have any information or have seen him anywhere.”
Jackson paused choosing his words carefully. “One lead looks promising. Wayde’s military records reflect he enlisted in South Carolina, about thirty-two years ago. This is a sensitive area, Xavier, but I must ask. Is there any possibility that your wife might know Wayde? Olivia said Angela’s parents lived in South Carolina. South Carolina is the only common location he’s shared with anyone in your family. He was discharged about ten years ago, he was obviously lying when he told Kinsley he was her brother’s Sergeant.”
Nick cut in before Xavier could respond. “You can’t think my mother had anything to do with this. If this is your one lead, I think you’ve got a whole lot more work to do.”
Xavier addressed Nick with a harsh tone. “Nick, please. We need to look at every possibility. I’m sorry, Jackson. Until Angela’s father died ten years ago, she’d visit at least twice a year. I don’t know if she was there around the time he enlisted. If I was away on business, Angela’s visits to her parents could be quite long. She didn’t like being home alone and would take those times to visit.”
Jonathan leaned in and whispered to Xavier.
Xavier nodded thanks to Jonathan and spoke again to Jackson. “Just a minute, we might have a way to check this out. Jonathan has been keeping my yearly itineraries for business. Jonathan, do you think you can find records from thirty-two years ago?”
Jonathan tipped his head and proceeded to the basement where he kept the old files.
Nick began pacing in front of his father’s desk. “This is absurd. I can’t believe you’re even regarding this as a feasible direction.”
Xavier pointed at Nick. His eyes delivered a silent threat along with harsh words. “Zip it, Nick. Continue, Jackson. Are there any other leads you’re going to pursue?”