Page 72 of Keep Quiet

“I wish I could, but I forgot the number. I have it in my business phone, but I left that in the car. I’m calling you from my personal phone.”

“I don’t have his cell. Hold on a minute. Let me see if anybody knows where he is.”

“Thanks.” Jake checked the clock while he waited—9:35, then 9:36.

“Hello, sir?”

“Yes. Were you able to find where he is?”

“Sorry, nobody knows. Sometimes he comes in late, if he’s been up coding. You can try him at home if you want.”

“Fine, thanks.” Jake hung up, went online for the White Pages, got Voloshin’s home number, and pressed it into his phone.

“Hello?” a man answered, but his voice sounded raspy, unlike Voloshin’s.

“I’m looking for Andrew Voloshin. Is he there?” Jake double-checked to see if he’d dialed the correct number, which he had.

“Who’s calling?”

“I’m an… associate of his.” Jake didn’t know who he was talking to, so he chose his words carefully.

“What’s your name? What’s this in reference to?”

Jake decided to stick with the story. “I’m a financial planner that Mr. Voloshin contacted. I need to speak with him.”

“What did you say your name was?”

Jake hadn’t said. He glanced at the clock—9:42. “Jake Buckman of Gardenia Trust. Is Mr. Voloshin in?”

“Mr. Buckman, I’m Detective Zwerling with the Shakertown police. I’m sorry to inform you, but Mr. Voloshin is dead.”

Chapter Thirty-three

“My God!” Jake couldn’t process it quickly enough. It should be good news, but it didn’t feel that way. His blackmailer was dead. His troubles should be over. Relief flooded his system, but it left him shocked. He was stunned. “But he wasn’t old. How did he—”

“Actually, Mr. Buckman, he was murdered. We’ve notified next of kin, and it should be public.”

“When did this happen?”

“Last night. Mr. Buckman, what company did you say you were with?”

“Gardenia Trust.” Jake forced his brain to function. The police were at Voloshin’s apartment. Photos of him and Ryan on Pike Road were in Voloshin’s phone and undoubtedly his computer. The police might have seen them. If so, the police had proof that Ryan was guilty of the hit-and-run. Fear crackled through Jake’s body like electricity.

“Gardenia Trust? Is that local?”

“Yes, in Concord Chase.” Jake tried to sound normal. He told himself maybe the cops hadn’t seen the photo and videos yet.

“Where?”

“In the Bates Mill Corporate Center.”

“We’d like to see you, Mr. Buckman. Would you be available in half an hour?”

“Sure, yes,” Jake answered, because anything else would be suspicious. Why would the cops want to meet with him, if they hadn’t found the photos and video? Would they arrest him in the office? Would they take Ryan at school?

“Mr. Buckman, we’ll see you then.”

“Okay, thanks.” Jake hung up, stricken. His heart thudded in his chest. His first thought was of Pam. He had to tell her about Voloshin. He scrolled to her cell number and pressedCALL, but it rang, then went to voicemail. He left a message, “Honey, call me as soon as you can. It’s very important. I love you.” He hitENDand considered calling her chambers, but remembered the court was sitting this week and she would be on the bench.