“I’m far from wonderful,” he said. “But trust me when I say I would do absolutely anything for you.” He threaded his fingers through mine as we walked to his car.

Chapter Thirty–One

Jonah

Melanie wanted to go to the hospital and check on Mrs. Cates, so we headed there first. We were in and out quickly, Melanie getting an update from the nurse on duty. Dr. Cates wasn’t there, so we drove to the address of the townhome he had rented in the city.

On the way, something occurred to me. “You don’t suppose they would’ve brought Gina’s old Eldorado out here to Grand Junction from their home in Denver, do you?”

“Good point. I wouldn’t think so. So that means—”

“How did they know it was stolen?” I finished. “The police said Dr. Cates had reported it stolen a few days prior to your escape, right?”

“As I understand it, yes.”

I pulled up into the parking lot in front of the townhome. Melanie sat still, staring straight ahead.

“Are you okay?” I asked her.

She nodded. “Just a little…nervous, I guess. I’m about to face the man who probably was my attacker.”

“Something to keep in mind, Melanie.”

“What?”

“If your theory is correct, and Gina didn’t kill herself, it’s just as likely that whoever did kill her also attacked you. And that most likely was not Dr. Cates.”

“Or perhaps her parents murdered her. Who knows? From what she told me, they were very distant parents. Not affectionate at all. Of course, that doesn’t mean they’re killers.”

“No, it doesn’t,” I agreed.

“Besides,” Melanie said, “the guy who took me basically told me he was a hired assassin. I believe the words he used were ‘I wouldn’t stay in business for long if I weaseled out of a job for more money. No one would trust me.’”

“So that could mean one of two things,” I said. “Either he was a hired killer, or he was lying to you. And I’m thinking that when someone kills for a living or for sport, he’s already thrown caution to the wind and would have no problem lying.”

That got a small smile out of her. “You’re right.”

I gripped her shoulders, turning her toward me. “You don’t have to be afraid. I will be with you, and I will not let him harm you. I will never, ever let anyone harm you again. Do you hear me?”

She nodded, biting her lip.

“All right. Are you ready?”

She nodded again. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

We got out of the car, and Melanie held on to my arm as we walked to the door of his townhome. He was on the end of a triplex, which was good. A neighbor on only one side.

I knocked on the door loudly.

We heard some shuffling behind the door, but no one opened it.

I tried the doorbell next, pressing it twice.

Still no response.

No screen door separated me from the wooden door, so I pounded with all my might on the wooden door.

He was there. I could feel it in my bones.

Melanie shivered beside me. Damn it, we had come all this way. He was going to talk to us.

“Hey!” I shouted. “Open this goddamned door, or I swear to God I’ll kick it in!”

No response again.

“I fucking warned you!”

Melanie tugged on my arm. “Jonah…”

“Don’t worry,” I said to her. Then, “I meant it. I’m going to kick down this fucking door!”

I stepped back, focused, let out a scream, and aimed a sidekick at the door. It didn’t budge.

I closed my eyes, breathing deep, visualized myself kicking that door off its hinges, and then let out another cry and side-kicked the door once again.

The wood cracked.

As I readied to kick once more, the door flew open. A man, who I assumed was Dr. Cates, stood there, a look of fear and indignation across his face.

“Are you insane?” he said to me.

“Just a hair short of it.” I pushed him out of the way and walked into the townhome, Melanie holding on to my arm again. “I’m Jonah Steel. And you know Dr. Carmichael.”

“What the hell are you doing here? I was perfectly within my rights to file a complaint with the medical board against you.”

Melanie opened her mouth, but I gestured for her to be quiet.

“As much as I’d love to interrogate you about that, that’s not why we’re here.”

“Then why are you here? I’ve already told the police I had nothing to do with your kidnapping, Dr. Carmichael.”

“I don’t believe that either,” I said, “but that’s still not why we’re here.”

“Then what the hell do you want? And you’re going to pay for that door, by the way.”

“Yeah, I’ll pay for it. And don’t even think about calling the cops on me. I’ll make your life hell.”

He opened his mouth, but I raised my fist at him.

“I’m doing the talking now. I’ll let you know when it’s your turn. We need some information. Information that Dr. Carmichael was never able to get from your daughter while she was alive.”

“I don’t see what—”

“You don’t listen very well. I told you I would let you know when to talk. Now shut the fuck up. I want to know the name of your brother-in-law. The one who assaulted and raped your daughter. You remember? The reason she needed therapy?”

“Doesn’t matter. He’s dead.”

“How did he die?”

“Uh…cancer.”

“What kind of cancer?”

“Lung cancer.”

“Was he a smoker?” I asked Melanie. “Did Gina ever say her uncle smoked?”

Melanie shook her head, biting her lip.

“Seems like something Gina might have mentioned.”

Cates fidgeted nervously. “You don’t have to smoke to get lung cancer.”

“True. But most lung cancer cases result from smoking. If your brother-in-law didn’t smoke, it’s unlikely he had lung cancer. I think you’re lying, Dr. Cates. And you know something else? I don’t think he’s dead.”

His face turned red. “He’s dead.”