Grady returned with a glass of soda and ice. He didn’t mention the bucket, and neither did she.
He said, “Sorry about that. It won’t happen again.”
Skylar smiled.
“No worries. I’ve been thinking about your loft.”
Grady beamed.
“It’s fantastic, isn’t it?”
“Your walls are too empty.”
He looked surprised.
“No way! I love this look.”
“You should have one of my paintings. I’ll paint something special. Just for you.”
She tossed the iPad aside and threw back the sheet.
“Now get in bed.”
He attacked her like an animal, but Skylar barely noticed. She thought about the bucket and the texts. She imagined how she might use these things to make them pay for their cruelty. When she screamed, she felt a rush of incredible power.
He thought it was him, but he wasn’t even there.
48
The recording lasted only eight or nine minutes. Rachel spoke well. Her voice was pleasing and she sounded genuine. Her story ended in sudden silence.
Allie Rice looked ashen. She said one word.
“Slime.”
Josh leaned back.
“One bucket of Kentucky Fried cash, please. What assholes.”
“She saw Horton Tarly deliver the cash.”
“Yes. She was there. She saw it. The next time she went back, she found more cash. The asshole hides cash all over his loft.”
I said, “How many tapes did she make?”
“Tracks. I don’t record on tape.”
“Tracks. How many?”
“Three. She tells about being an escort in one, how she got into it, the people she worked with, that kind of stuff. The third track is about the work she did for Grady. Thirty-four minutes, and it is a killer. What she did, where they went, who met with who and what they talked about. How he used her.”
Allie Rice murmured again.
“Slime.”
Ryan said, “She names names, bro. It’s awesome.”
I frowned at Ryan.
“You knew he was doing this?”
“He called me.”
Josh said, “I didn’t want him involved. Rachel was telling me dangerous things. I thought if—”
He looked at Ryan. Sad.
“Dude.”
Ryan nodded with understanding.
“Dude.”
I interrupted the duding.
“Does she mention Sanford Richter or not?”
“Richter, a couple of U.S. representatives, a judge, this guy Castillo from Allie’s plane, and other developers. She names them. Times, dates, and places. Want to hear it?”
“I do. But not now.”
These recordings had serious problems as evidence, but I didn’t want to discuss it in front of Allie Rice.
“We should let Ms. Rice get on with her life.”
“I don’t mind. Really.”
Josh nodded, agreeing with me.
“We should go. Ryan and I have to interview more people and start cutting this thing together.”
I said, “You should call your mom. Let her know you’re okay.”
He frowned.
“And say what, hi Mom, I’m okay, bye?”
“Tell her what’s going on. Let her know you’re okay. She’s worried.”
Allie nodded.
“You really should.”
“When I finish. C’mon, Ryan. Let’s roll.”
I took out my phone and dialed Wendy Vann.
Josh looked alarmed.
“What are you doing?”
Wendy answered.
I said, “Let me speak to Adele.”
Josh said, “Asshole!”
Wendy said, “Was that Josh?”
“Yes. He’s fine. Let me speak to Adele.”
Josh shook his head as Ryan packed their gear.
“This is a big mistake.”
Wendy said, “Say your location. I’ll come get him.”
“Adele.”
Adele came on a few seconds later.
“Josh?”
“Elvis Cole. Here’s Josh.”
I held out the phone.
Josh flipped me off with both hands.
I said, “Speak.”
Allie said, “Don’t be like that. She’s your mother.”
Josh took the phone and turned away. He mumbled to keep his conversation private, but mostly he listened. They spoke for three or four minutes before he handed back my phone.
Adele said, “Are you bringing him home?”
“No, ma’am. Not unless he wants to go.”
“You were hired to find him and report his location.”
“I understand. I’ll refund your money.”