Page 110 of Keep This Promise
“No, he warned us that some guy would be upset and this wasn’t over.”
I tap the paper as my thoughts swirl. “But the two things could be connected, right? Otherwise, why would Theo have this in here?”
“I agree that there’s something there.” He thumbs through a pile and then pulls out a photo. “Something is in Texas. He went there a lot. Maybe someone was working with Ryan, and they’re a part of the same group.”
Holden gets up and moves to the door so he can press the button to let Ellis know he’s ready to go. “Where are you going?”
“I need to go to the courthouse. I’m going to get answers before . . .”
Before it’s too late.
ChapterThirty-Three
HOLDEN
“This is a mistake,” Emmett says for the tenth time. “We have people looking everywhere for her. You know that this is wrong.”
I don’t give a fuck.
“I know my daughter has been missing for almost forty-eight hours. I know her medication is low. I know that there is a possibility that Ryan knows who may have taken her and why. So, don’t tell me this is wrong. Don’t tell me that you wouldn’t have done this if it were Blakely. In fact, I know you would. You’d do anything. So, unlock the cell and let me talk to him.”
There is no more time left to wait. No more searching to do. I am desperate and will do anything if it means we get Eden back.
And I do mean anything.
Emmett shakes his head, and I know he’s trying to come up with something to stop me. There is nothing else. This is my only hope. “I can’t let you do this. You’ll destroy the entire case. What about the girls who are missing? What about the parents who have already buried their child?”
I grab him by the shirt, pushing him against the wall. Anger like I’ve never known fills me, and I am at the end of my rope. “What about my child? Do you think I care about anything else right now? Let me in the fucking cell so I can get the information I need!”
“I love Eden. You are my best friend, and I would trade my fucking life if it meant bringing your daughter home, but not like this. Not doing something you’ll never forgive yourself for. This isn’t you, Holden. Going in there to try to make some insane deal that you’re not even authorized to make or threaten him? What are you going to do, break him out? Offer him money? Promise to recount your testimony?”
I release him, stepping back. “I was going to beg.”
Ryan isn’t a bad guy. He is just greedy and desperate. I understand that last part. I’m desperate myself.
“I feel like you’re going to leave here more disappointed than you are now.”
“I have to try. It’s the only possibility I have.”
“Then I’m going in with you.”
“No,” I tell him. Not a chance he’s going in. Ryan will never talk then.
Emmett stands firm. “That’s the deal. You want to talk to him? Fine, but you’ll do it the right way.”
I close my eyes because I can do nothing else.
“Come on, Holden, you decide.”
“I just need answers.”
“I understand that, but I won’t let you destroy the case we’ve built against the man who kidnapped and would have killedmy wife. I love Eden, I would do anything to help you, but we’re going one of two ways. Either I walk in there with you, and we do it by the book, or you’re going in the back of my car until you can think straight.”
“What would you do?”
He shrugs. “I know when it was Blake, I was a mess. I understand the desperation you’re feeling, which is why I’m even entertaining this. If Ryan is involved, then maybe we can appeal to his human side. I don’t know. We have nothing tying him to the trafficking ring other than Blakely’s testimony. He has no reason to give up anything. Just know that.”
I do. I know this is a long shot that will probably lead to nothing, but I have nothing. “Let’s try.”
