Page 80 of Waiting For A Girl Like You
“We’ve got location proximity, but it doesn’t prove Parker’s linked to Zanmi,” Will said. “There is such a thing as a coincidence.”
“Not likely.” Liam tapped his tablet, swapping the screen to bring up Parker’s school transcripts and juvenile records. The guy had quite a long history of being an abuser. “From even his elementary years, the school counselor's notes are telling, with several mentions of unrepentant aggressive behavior. Combine that with the constant arrests for destruction of property and assault during his teens, and we have a nice, pliable Zanmi member.”
Anderson frowned. “I didn’t give you those juvie records.”
“We have a child in danger.” Liam swiped the data and reports away. “We’re not leaving any avenue unexplored and will obtain information any way we can.”
Ready to take the fall for Parker’s information being illegally obtained, Rowan joined the group. The feds didn’t scare him. Not many organizations did.
But as he opened his mouth to speak, Anderson raised a hand to stop him. “Don’t tell me. It’s better that I don’t know.”
Deciding that was fair enough, Will began to drill Anderson with questions regarding the search for Madison. “What about Madison?”
“I’ve got nine members of CARD plus two dozen agents working in teams out there,” Anderson replied. “I’m not holding anyone back.”
Bernie let out a soft laugh. “Well, hello. Parker’s got mommy issues.”
“Don’t we all?” Liam remarked sarcastically.
“Cute.” Bernie used a pencil to circle something on the paper she was reading. “It seems Mr. Monroe did not get along with his mother and found heroppressive.”
One of Dr. Cohen’s eyebrows lifted. “Oppressive? That’s a big word for a child.”
“I’m sure the guidance counselor was leading him. But as you say, the devil doesn’t just live in the details. He hides there, too.” Bernie rose from her seat to bring them the information. “When he would speak to anyone with authority, a young Parker would go into great detail about how horrible his mother was and how he wished she could be like his grandmother, who lived in Maine.”
Rowan hurried over to his computer, gaining every last detail he could on Parker’s grandmother while Izzy organized the information. Holden might be great at logistics, but Izzy kept everything orderly so they could recall their research without having to hunt for it.
“The grandmother’s dead. Left him the house and the land.” Rowan scanned the expansive map. “Lots of land. Jesus. It’s acres and acres of forest.”
“Perfect hideout for a cult.” Anderson pulled out his phone. “Rowan, send me everything you have. I’ll redirect the team.”
He did as Anderson asked, openly breaking into systems to gather as much information as possible. Anderson said nothing, at least not regarding his methods. The agent took it all in, shooting off messages to his colleagues.
“We need to assume that Parker is involved with Zanmi,” Will said once Rowan’s data stream on the grandmother slowed. “And that Madison might be the first of their Fairweather children.”
Rowan agreed as much as he didn’t want to, but for Madison’s safety, there was really no other way they could operate. Claudia had been with Parker for years. If he was involved, she might have had some inclination.
“But did Claudia Fairweather know?” Anderson asked, voicing what they were all thinking. “That’s the question.”
“I don’t think so,” Jamison said. “She’s been so kind since Madison was born. I can’t see her being this way.”
“Kind to whom?” Liam pointed at the photo of Samuel and Evie’s house tacked to a board. “Evie. What if she was trying to get close to Evie?”
The suggestion struck Jamison, and she paled, laying a hand on her stomach. “I need to call my sister. If we’re thinking Claudia might be involved… I need to be the one to tell her.”
Jamison rushed out the door. Evie’s pregnancy was nearing the finish line, and the last thing they needed was for her to become so upset that it sent her into labor early. The birth plan was already in place. Not for Evie, although Rowan was fairly certain Samuel had the entire thing planned down to the second, but for security. Every agent and family member understood what was required of them to make the delivery go smoothly.
“Do you think that’s possible?” Rowan asked, debating on whether to call Samuel. It might be best to prepare him while Jamison talked to Evie. “That Claudia might be in with these people?”
Liam turned back to the board, his mouth set in a grim line. “Right now, anything is possible, but if she is, Madison’s not in immediate danger.”
“On the other side of that, if Claudia isn’t involved.” Will pulled a family photo of Claudia, Parker, and Madison from his file and tacked it on the board. “Then we’re in even deeper shit than we thought.”
His eyeballs were going to fall out of his skull.
So tired.
He was so fucking tired.
