Page 49 of The Sinner's Son

Alec shrugged. “Here and there?” He opened his bloodshot eyes. “What about you?”

“Same.”

More bustling came from the bullpen, and Sawyer caught snatches of conversation between Alec’s team. Marina carrieda takeout bag and a drink carrier. She met Sawyer’s gaze and nodded toward the conference room.

“Your cavalry and carbohydrates are here,” he said.

Alec must’ve drifted to sleep because he jerked upright, wide eyes darting around the room. “What?”

“I don’t think you’re going to be much help in this condition,” Sawyer said. “I hope you didn’t drive here.”

Alec shook his head. “Not until your guys finish searching my car. Marina and Ricky are staying at the same hotel. They dropped me off at the door before they went to get breakfast.”

“And you practically arrived down here at the same time?” Sawyer pressed.

Alec’s shoulders rose and fell dramatically with a deep sigh. “I waited upstairs, hoping to run into Cory so I could apologize for my shitty behavior Wednesday night. But no such luck.”

Sawyer sympathized, he truly did, but Alec was in no condition to help anyone, least of all himself. “Look, I get the impression that Cory only would’ve been happy with one outcome that night. He realized it wouldn’t happen and bailed instead of talking to you like an adult. What part of that is your fault?”

“Maybe, but I could’ve—”

“Had sex with him to spare his feelings and really send the wrong signal?” Sawyer asked.

Alec slumped back in the chair. “Yeah, okay. I still could’ve handled the situation better.” He briefly closed his eyes and inhaled a shaky breath. “I really connected with Dane. I mean…I can’t remember a time when someone didn’t ask about Andrew. He didn’t care about my notoriety. And it felt like he was having a good time too, and I instinctively knew that was a rare and precious thing for him. Our conversations didn’t get too deep, so I didn’t know what was going on in his life. He deserves better.”Alec met his gaze. “I can’t allow myself to think he’s dead. I wish there was something more I could do to help.”

Sawyer’s cell phone rang before he could respond. He didn’t recognize the number and considered letting it go to voicemail and then decided against it. “Head on in and get some breakfast. It might help.” Alec slowly stood as Sawyer accepted the call. “Detective Sergeant Key,” he said.

“Good morning, it’s Talia Atwood calling. I have some great news.”

Sawyer snapped his fingers to get Alec’s attention and pointed at his phone. “Good morning, Talia. It’s good to hear from you.”

“You’ll really think so when you know why I’m calling.”

“Speakerphone,” Alec whispered before hurrying out the door in a sudden burst of energy. He returned quickly with a recording device in his hand.

Ahhh. That’s what sparked the man back to life. “Alec is here with me. Would it be okay if I put you on speakerphone so we can record the conversation?”

“Of course,” she said.

Sawyer tapped his phone, and Alec pressed Record. “Now we’re all set. What do you have for us, Talia?”

“I tracked Becca down through Facebook, and we talked at length last night. Remember, she’s the one who mentioned the photographer to the police officer.”

“Yes,” Sawyer and Alec said.

“Obviously, Becca was curious about why I was reaching out after all these years. I tried not to overstep, but I told her about our conversation. I worried she wouldn’t talk to you otherwise. Becca struggled for so long after Monica disappeared.”

“It’s okay,” Alec said. “It’s impossible to keep an investigation like this a secret for long.”

“I’m fine with it too,” Sawyer added.

“Oh, good,” Talia sighed. “Becca agreed to speak to you both and gave me her contact information.”

“Could you please email it to me?” Sawyer asked.

“Of course. I have more good news. My mother came through like I knew she would. She found photographs of Monica wearing her cameo choker. I will overnight those to you, but in the meantime, I’ve scanned them into my computer this morning and will add them to the email. The photos are thirty years old and not the best quality to begin with, so my scans aren’t great.”

“It’s a place to start though, Talia. Thank you so much,” Sawyer said.