Page 81 of The Last Close Call

Jack walked into the bullpen and went straight to the break room. He hadn’t eaten in hours, and the protein bar he’d scarfed after the task force meeting wasn’t cutting it.

“Jack.”

He turned around to see Bryan making a beeline toward him.

“Did you hear?”

His shoulders tensed. “What now?”

“You’ve got a visitor in Interview Three.” Bryan nodded toward a closed door. “And she does not look happy.”

Jack looked at the closed door. Was Rowan here again?

“It’s Joy Kendall,” Bryan added. “She specifically asked for you and said it was urgent.”

“Shit,” Jack muttered.

“Isn’t that the mother?”

“Birth mother, yeah.”

“Well, what’s she doing here? Why would she be involved now that we have the name?”

Jack didn’t know, but he was about to find out.

“Let me talk to her alone,” Jack said. “She’s a little uncomfortable with detectives.”

“Sure, whatever. Text if you need me to join.”

Bryan headed back to his desk, and Jack walked over to the closed door. He took a moment to comb his hands through his hair, then tapped on the door with his knuckles before opening it.

Joy Kendall looked up from her phone. Her face morphed into a scowl, and Jack immediately knew Bryan was right. She was definitely pissed off.

“I want answers,” she said flatly. “I’m not leaving here until you tell me what’s going on.”

“Ma’am?”

Her cheeks flushed, and Jack regretted the tactic.

“Don’t pull that clueless crap with me. Sit down.” She pointed to the empty chair in front of her. “I answered your questions, now it’s your turn to answer mine. What did he do?”

Jack pulled the chair out and sat down, stalling for time. He looked Joy over. Today she wore a black cashmere sweater and tan suede boots that looked like they cost a fortune.

“Don’t even think about lying to me,” she said. “I saw the news conference this afternoon.”

Jack scooted his chair in and leveled a look at her. “What exactly do you want to know?”

“William Anderson. My son.” Her lips tightened and she glanced down at the table. Then she looked up at him again. “Is he the one you’re looking for? The one who raped all those women and murdered someone in San Antonio?”

Jack just looked at her, wishing Rowan were here to help him navigate the conversation.

She leaned forward. “Answer me, Detective.”

“Our investigation is ongoing—”

“Don’t give me that—”

“I am investigating those cases,” he interrupted. “And William Anderson is currently a person of interest. You’re correct. But that information has not been made public.”

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