Page 122 of Hot Momosa

“Yes. My brother called the police after I got your daughter and grandson to safety, but we haven’t contacted them about Becker. As I was saying, he was carrying a flip phone when he approached Dahlia.”

“A flip phone? Rob would never be caught dead with a…” The words came out in a gush of breath, followed by honest to goodness sobbing.

Elizabeth said something to him too softly for me to understand, but I got the impression she was trying to calm him down.

Waylon’s voice grew quieter as if he’d walked away from the phone.

Elizabeth said, “Leo, you were right not to call NOLA PD. Rob has friends there.”

The remainder of the conversation consisted of the governor listening and the head of his security team asking the questions. I relayed the information about the fake PI, the photos outside my glass door, and the letter Dahlia had received earlier in the evening.

“It was written in blood.” I turned to Dahlia, who had tears running down her face.

Though I’d lived through some of it with her, hearing the events strung together in a chronological timeline was overwhelming. I couldn’t begin to imagine how difficult it was for her to listen to my side of the conversation.

I needed to wrap up the call and hold her. If not for her sanity, for my own. I settled for holding her hand.

Hogan said, “Technically, this case is outside of my jurisdiction, but I’ll pass along the information to the FBI. In the meantime, I’ll have someone from the lab pick up the letter tonight. A DNA test will confirm the author’s identity, but it may be challenging to obtain a sample from Mr. Becker.”

Dahlia whispered, “I want to talk to my dad.”

I nodded and did my best to wrap up the conversation. “I’ll text the address. Do you need anything else from me, Hogan?”

“I’m sure the FBI will want to speak to you about the explosive at some point, but I have everything I need to get started.”

“Waylon, Dahlia is here. She’d like to speak to you.”

He drew an audible breath. “I’d like that. Promise me you’ll keep them safe, Leo. Promise me.”

“I swear it on my life.” I handed the phone to Dahlia.

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