My brother had left me that day twenty-five years ago.

Just like my mother had left me two years later.

Just like every woman I had been involved with—and there weren’t many—had left me because they couldn’t deal with what I truly was…or was not.

I buried my nose in her blond hair, still damp from her shower, and inhaled the coconut scent. “I love you so much, Melanie. So fucking much.”

I felt her smile against my shoulder. “I love you too.”

I only hoped her love for me was enough to survive what was coming.

 

I took Melanie to lunch at her favorite sushi place in Grand Junction. The raw fish was actually starting to grow on me. After that, we headed toward the office building that housed the law firm of Decker and Jolly. Melanie had thought we should call Frederick Jolly first and not just barge in, but I thought it might be better not to let him know we were coming. I had a strange feeling that he might disappear.

We took the elevator up to the fifth floor of the building and entered the firm.

“May I help you?” a gum-popping receptionist asked.

“We’re here to see Frederick Jolly,” I said.

“Do you have an appointment?”

I shook my head. “Just tell him that Jonah Steel is here with Melanie Carmichael. We want to talk to him about the Fleming Corporation.”

“Fred doesn’t usually see people without appointments,” she said, “but I’ll see if he’s in. Go ahead and take a seat.” She gestured to some chairs and couches. “Help yourself to a cup of coffee or a doughnut if you want one.”

We sat down, ignoring the coffee and doughnuts after our huge sushi lunch.

A few minutes later, the receptionist said, “I’m afraid Mr. Jolly can’t see you. Why don’t you call and make an appointment?”

I walked up to the receptionist, leaving Melanie sitting in the waiting area. “Look, we’re seeing Mr. Jolly today,” I told her in a calm voice. “Tell him that I’m Jonah Steel, of Steel Acres Ranch, and I’m here with Dr. Melanie Carmichael, who was recently held captive on a property owned by the Fleming Corporation.”

The receptionist widened her eyes and gulped as she got back on the phone.

I sat back down next to Melanie. Within a few moments, a somber-looking man in a blue pinstripe suit with black hair slicked back from his face walked into the reception area.

“Mr. Steel?”

I stood.

“I’m Fred Jolly.”

I almost burst out laughing. He certainly didn’t look like a man named Jolly. I held out my hand, but he didn’t take it.

“Thank you for seeing us without an appointment. This is Dr. Melanie Carmichael.”

Melanie stood. “Nice to meet you,” she said.

“If the two of you would come back to my office, please.”

We followed him down the hallway, passing secretaries and assistants working in their cubicles, to a lush corner office. Nice digs. Well, his name was on the letterhead.

He ushered us into his office, shutting the door behind him. “Have a seat, both of you.” He gestured to the leather chairs in front of his desk and then sat down behind his desk. “What can I do for you?”

Chapter Thirty

Melanie

Jonah cleared his throat. “You can tell us the names of the individuals behind Fleming Corporation.”

“I’m afraid I’m under no legal obligation to do so.”

“We’ve checked with the Secretary of State, and no directors or officers are listed. The only name listed is yours, as the registered agent.”

“And as the registered agent, I am not bound to disclose anything to you.”

I spoke up then. “Look, Mr. Jolly, we understand your situation. Being a doctor, I understand the concept of client confidentiality.”

“I never said Fleming Corporation was my client,” he said.

“Well, then, that makes your job a little easier,” I said. “The privilege doesn’t apply.”

“That’s neither here nor there.” Jolly cleared his throat. “I have no obligation to tell you anything.”

Jonah stood, his eyes dark and serious, his nostrils flaring. “Let’s cut to the chase here. Dr. Carmichael was held captive last week on a property owned by Fleming Corporation.”

“Ma’am, I’m sorry for any hardship you’ve endured, but I don’t know anything about that.”

“That’s because I was able to keep it off the news,” Jonah said. “For Dr. Carmichael’s privacy. She’s a renowned psychotherapist here in Grand Junction.”

“Look,” I said. “We’re just trying to figure out who did this to me. You’re our only lead.”

Mr. Jolly stood and came from behind his desk. “Then I’m afraid your only lead is a dead end. I’m going to have to ask you to leave now.”

Jonah tensed, and for a moment, I feared he was going to do something he might regret. But he stood and smiled. “Thank you very much for your time. We will be in touch.”

We walked quickly out of his office, down the hallway, through the reception area, and out the door. Jonah said nothing during the elevator ride, and I waited until we were clear of the building before I spoke.

“He’s hiding something,” I said. “I have to be good at reading people in my business, and I usually know a liar when I see one.”

“Agreed,” Jonah said. “If the corporation isn’t a client, he’s not bound by any ethical obligation not to disclose the information we want. The fact that he won’t means he’s either part of the corporation or he’s being well paid to keep quiet.”

“I guess it’s on to see Dr. Cates,” I said.

“We’re not done with this Jolly fellow yet. We just have to figure out how to approach the situation. If he’s being paid to keep quiet, I can pay him to talk.”

I swallowed. “Jonah, I don’t want you to spend all your money trying to figure this out.”

“Melanie, my love, I couldn’t spend all my money in three lifetimes. You don’t need to worry about that.”

I shook my head and smiled. “You are some kind of wonderful, you know that?”