Page 18 of The Garden Girls

“For me?” Who would be calling for him? Only his team knew he was here, and they could call his cell phone. “Who is it?”

“I don’t know. He sounds funny.”

He accepted the phone. “Agent Granger,” he said.

“Hello, Agent Granger. I suspect you’re not having a good day.” The caller’s voice was modulated. Because Ty would recognize it or because Bexley might?

“Who is this?”

“Someone who knows far more about you than you think you know about me. I’m looking at your son right now. Kinda looks like you. Oh yes, I know you have a son. I know all kinds of things, and I’m going to use them to my advantage. I’m not nearly as stupid as you suspect. Bye for now. But see you soon.” The line clicked.

Ty’s heart thudded in his chest. He checked his watch. The call hadn’t lasted long enough to triangulate a location, and if the UNSUB was smart, he’d have used a burner.

“Who was it, Tiberius? What did he say?” Bexley’s bottom lip trembled.

“I don’t know, but he knows I have a son. Where was Josiah going?” The caller had been following Ty and must have spotted Josiah leaving the building. Violet was outside. That gave him some comfort.

“Probably the arcade at the boardwalk. Is he in danger?”

Somehow, he knew about him and Bexley. How? “I don’t know.” He knew nothing. His life had been tossed a grenade and was exploding into pieces. He had a son. Bexley didn’t want Josiah to know. But this killer also knew, and he had Ahnah.

“I don’t have time to further discuss our personal life. But know this much—it isn’t over. Josiah is going to know he has a father, and I’m going to be a part of his life. And if I have to drag your sorry self into court, then that’s what I’ll do. I am not leaving North Carolina without me knowing my son and my son knowing me.”

Bexley raised her chin. “I did it to protect him. I’m still protecting him, Tiberius. You don’t know him.”

“You haven’t let me! And now I have a killer to catch who might target him,” he boomed, and the door opened again.

Another young man entered, dark hair and eyes.

“Tell me that’s not a twin or something.” He was hanging by a thread.

She shot him a look.

“Miss Hemmingway, are you okay? You need anything?” the young man asked, giving Ty a once-over.

“No, Milo. You know the rules. You can’t interrupt or walk in without being let in by me or my assistant. Sometimes sessions get heated. I’m safe.”

Milo studied Ty once more. “I’m sorry. I heard yelling, and I was afraid for you.”

“She’s good,” Ty said.

Milo—the client—hesitated, then backed up and closed the door.

“I need you to go straight home after work,” Ty said. “Walk out with your assistant. Do not talk to strangers. Maybe don’t even talk to someone you know.”

“Fine. Quit talking to me.”

“You know what I mean, Bexley.” The woman had never been lax in the wit department. It had been one of the things he’d loved about her. But she needed to take this seriously.

Could the UNSUB have extracted this kind of information from Ahnah? Either by force or grooming? She might have gone with him willingly because she knew him. He’d invaded her life. Tricked her.

“And call Josiah now. I want to know he’s okay. Tell him to go home.”

Bexley retrieved her cell phone. “You’re scaring me, Tiberius.”

“Just do it.”

She made the call. “Where are you?” she asked Josiah. “Okay, I need you to go straight home and text me when you get there. I won’t be too far behind... Yes, it’s about the case.” She listened and then sighed. “Just go home, Josiah. Lock the doors.” She ended the call. “Well, I’ve terrified my kid into going home versus the arcade.”

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