Page 70 of Dangerous Obsession

“This blood, is it only Shayna’s?” Cole pointed at the drops on the large rock and the dark spots on the carpet.

“We think it is but can’t be sure until we run DNA tests.” Viking had watched the video multiple times but couldn’t tell if Barnum had been injured or not.

“Speaking of DNA, Beatrice called on our way here.” Cole stood and brushed his hands together. “She got a hit on the DNA from the envelope. Belonged to a guy named Kenneth Barrett who just so happened to be incarcerated with Barnum. He was assigned to the same cell block and was murdered by his cellmate a few weeks back.”

“Convenient,” Sebastian said.

“Isn’t it. Warden Newhouse is conducting an investigation to see if Barnum had anything to do with it.”

“Okay, so Barnum had the guy write the note. But how did Barrett get the note through the screening process?” All incoming and outgoing mail to the prison was checked.

“According to the warden, Barrett was a prison snitch. In return for information about the other prisoners, he was given certain privileges.” Cole’s phone chimed, and he tugged it from his pocket and checked the screen. “Eddie’s pulling up out front.”

Viking walked over to the door just as his teammate rolled to a stop and parked.

Eddie hurried around to open Deborah’s door, but she was already climbing out. It was obvious she’d been crying, and the dispirited look on her face was a stark reminder that she was yet another victim of Barnum’s evil manipulation.

Viking flipped the lock and held the door open for them to enter. Once they were inside, he took a last look up and down the street and locked the door.

“Can I get you guys anyth—” Marigold stopped upon seeing Deborah.

The two women stared at each other across the space for a moment or two before Deborah cast her eyes downward.

“I guess you’re here to pick up your son.” Marigold slowly stepped forward.

“Greg is here?” Deborah shot Eddie a look of confusion mixed with anger. “You didn’t tell me he was here. Is he okay?”

“Your son is fine, Ms. Whitcomb.” Viking stepped forward and told her about Greg delivering the note for Barnum, about her son watching the store. “He met Barnum this morning, had breakfast with him, and they traded cars.” Then he told her what happened to Shayna.

“Oh, God.” Upon hearing of her son’s involvement with Barnum and Shayna’s kidnapping, albeit unintentional, Deborah swayed, and the color drained from her face.

“Ms. Whitcomb, please, have a seat.” The senator took Deborah’s elbow and guided her to the same chair she’d used the last time she was in the store. “I’m Sebastian Houldcroft, and—”

“I know who you are.” She sat down, sniffled, and began digging through her designer tote. “Everyoneknows who you are.”

“If it’s any consolation, they don’t think Greg is involved in Shayna’s kidnapping.” Marigold popped a few tissues from the box on the little side table and handed them to her.

“Why would Cliff do this?” She lifted red, teary eyes to Marigold. “I finally figured out he’s been lying to me about you, but why would he take an innocent girl?” She patted tears from her cheeks.

“We believe Barnum intends to use Shayna as leverage to gain Marigold’s cooperation.” Viking reached for Marigold’s hand and drew her to his side, away from Deborah. He was pretty sure the woman wouldn’t do anything, but he wasn’t willing to take any chances.

“Leverage for what?” Deborah looked at him, then Marigold. “What does he want?”

“We’re not sure,” Viking lied. They all knew exactly what Barnum wanted.

“He wants me.” Marigold looked up at him as she said the quiet part out loud.

“That’s not going to happen.” She wasn’t going anywhere near that asshole.

“Marigold!” Dulce rushed toward them with Hanna and Carter coming up behind her.

“What is it?” Marigold hurried over to her.

“The store phone is ringing, and it’s an unknown number.” Dulce handed her the cordless landline handset.

Cole lifted his cell phone to his ear. “Sammy—” His voice faded as he put some space between himself and the group.

“How ’bout we go see your son.” Eddie escorted Deborah to the back room, and she kept looking over her shoulder at them.

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