Page 53 of The Sinner's Son

“I’m waiting on cell phone tower information so we can check the pings from Dane’s phone. I’ve prepared a warrant for his phone records, and I’m waiting for a judge’s signature. We could find other important clues in that data. We’re going to figure out what happened to Dane.”

“I appreciate you sharing this information with me, Detective O’Connell,” Alec said. “Savannah is lucky to have someone like you.”

“That’s nice of you to say. I’ll let you know when I have more updates.”

Alec looked incapable of speaking, so he nodded.

After she left, Ricky and Marina joined them. It was obvious Alec had told his team about meeting Dane too.

“Did she have good news?” Marina asked.

“She has a few leads,” Sawyer told them.

“That’s something positive,” Ricky said.

Alec tilted his head back against the wall and closed his eyes. Then he yawned wide enough to make his jaw crack.

“Gross,” Ricky grumbled.

“You look like a gentle breeze could knock you over,” Marina added. “Let’s go get something to eat for lunch, and then I’ll drop you back at the hotel. You’ve done as much as you can today. It’s time to rest.”

“Detective O’Connell returned the keys to his house and car,” Sawyer told them.

“We can check you out of the hotel and take you back to the beach house. How’s that sound?”

“Okay,” Alec replied.

Sawyer wondered if he’d need help to stand, but then Alec pulled himself together after another jaw-cracking yawn. He flopped down in his desk chair after the trio left, closing his eyes and hoping for just a few minutes of peace. His ringing cell phone shattered his hopes almost immediately. Sawyer crackedopen one eye to see the caller ID, then smiled when he saw the picture of him and Evangeline on his wedding day. It wasn’t unusual for her to reach out with a spontaneous lunch invitation, so Sawyer injected a smile into his voice when he accepted the call.

“Hello, son.” Evangeline’s voice was low, almost menacing. “Is there something you forgot to tell me?”

“Um…” Sawyer sluggishly searched his brain for an oversight but couldn’t come up with anything.

“Think carefully. Is there a major life event you’ve planned behind my back?”

Awareness kicked him in the balls. His mother knew about their Lil Plum. But how? Eddie wouldn’t have told her. Soft yipping came through the phone. Dolly! Evangeline loved to spoil the fur grandkids and had probably swung by to let Dolly outside or deliver goodies. He’d told Royce it was a bad idea to hang that sonogram on the refrigerator, but once it was there, neither of them could take it down and put it in a drawer.

“Well—” That was as far as Sawyer got before a shrill squeal cut him off. He pulled his phone away until the ringing in his ears subsided.

“Sorry,” Evangeline said a few moments later. “You were saying.”

“Kelsey is helping Royce and me with a very special project. We were planning to surprise everyone at your Labor Day party.”

“Hang on, please,” Evangeline said, then set her phone down on a surface. “Yes! Whew! It’s about time! You’re going to have a brother or sister, Bonesy and Doll Doll.” His mother whooped and hollered for a few minutes while his heart swelled with love. Evangeline cleared her throat, reclaimed her phone, and calmly said, “Sawyer, I am thrilled for you and Royce. I cannot wait to celebrate this with you.”

“Really, I couldn’t tell.”

“Oh, hush,” Evangeline said. “I’ve been planning this moment since the day I met Royce Locke. I have so many questions.” She proceeded to fire them at him. “How’s my sweet girl Kelsey? When’s her due date? Are you going to find out the baby’s gender? Have you picked out names? Oh! Oh! What about a nursery theme?”

Sawyer was debating how much he wanted to reveal when Alec reappeared in his doorway, looking wild-eyed and frantic. “Mom! Something came up at work that needs my immediate attention. I need to go. I love you and will call you later.” He disconnected the call before she could respond and stood up. “What’s wrong?”

Marina and Ricky ran into the bullpen, winded and worried.

“Fuck, Sawyer,” Alec said. “I know who took Dane!”

Sawyer’s heart slammed against his ribs. “Who?”

Alec clutched his chest and slumped against the doorway as if that burst of energy could be his last. “Cory,” he husked.