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“I’ve got you,” he said.
She heard his words, but they barely penetrated. Her mind just kept replaying her poor, sweet Olivia’s screams. As a baby, she had lungs that could rival any headline singer, and each time her girl opened her mouth, Sandra went running to her, to make things better. Being a reliable mother was something she prided herself on. But now, when her daughter needed her the most, she was out of reach. The other side of the line might as well be on the other side of the planet.
“You did great, Vos. You held it together.”
“Better than now.”
“Understandable, and behind the scenes doesn’t matter. What did you learn?”
“This is about Patton’s denied parole.” She shared this as if from a catatonic state. It might be easier to operate from here without being inundated and blinded by emotion. It was isolated here. Safe. A hiding place.
“What did he say?”
You fucked everything up at that parole hearing, and this is your penance…
“Sandra?” Brice prompted.
“This is my fault.”
“Enough of the self-pity,” Brice snapped. “Lonnie Jennings and Dennis Eaton are to blame here. No one else. Now talk to me.”
She met his gaze, thankful for his bluntness. “He wants me to get Patton released.”
“One of the things we theorized about, but why? And how does he expect you to do that?”
“I don’t know. We didn’t get that far.” Her calm approach had clearly toppled him. She feared what he might feel pressured to do to assume control again. She let out a deep breath. “Olivia sounded so… terrified.”
“Put that out of your head.”
“Easier said than done.”
“Sure, but if anyone can, it’s you. Just focus, or he wins.”
It already felt like he had, but she still refused to surrender. She couldn’t afford to. “Thanks, wise guy,” she volleyed back with sarcasm.
He held up his hands. “Just trying to help here.”
“I know. He hung up when I tossed the scenario back to him to solve. He wants Patton out, says Patton has something he wants, but Jennings doesn’t want to tell me what he expects me to do about it.”
“That tells me the plan is half-baked right there.”
“Not reassuring.” And they were back to the kidnapping being an impulsive act with volatile emotions running the show. “Jennings is definitely the leader of the two, and he has a temper.”
“Understandable. He took a fed’s daughter. That’s a lot of pressure right there.”
“Thinking about things from his standpoint is the only thing keeping me sane, yet threatening my mental stability at thesame time. If that makes any sense. He’s put himself in a losing position. Once he realizes that, well, I don’t want to think what that could mean for Olivia.”
“And there’s no need to. It accomplishes nothing. Since he hasn’t fully laid out what he wants, he’ll be calling back.”
She wished she had Brice’s confidence, but as she thought about it more, he was right. After all, Lonnie Jennings still hadn’t had his need fulfilled. For him to go to these measures, he must have seen her as the only means of getting there. That meant Olivia wasn’t disposable yet, and Sandra had more time. “If he hadn’t blocked his number, I’d try calling him. Wait… we have people who could help with that.” She got back on her phone, and the line was ringing. Lakisha answered, and Sandra didn’t waste time with pleasantries. “Jennings made contact.”
“I’ll trace the number. When did he call? This to your cell phone?”
“Yes, just a few minutes ago. You’ll have to unblock it first.”
“I’m sure it’s nothing I can’t handle. Consider me on the case.”
“Thank you.” Sandra hung up and shared the update with Brice.