They stared at each other across the Formica, the space between them electric with mutual loathing. She kept her gaze level, her chin slightly raised.
On the adjacent side of the table, Margie Dewalt looked up from her handkerchief. “Can we use the money from the reward funds to pay the ransom? Is that … is that something we’re allowed to do, Ms. Landros? I know it was supposed to pay for the reward, but so far it hasn’t helped us find her. Maybe it can help us bring her home.”
Crane suddenly spoke, his voice loud and sneering. “Look, this guy they arrested had her necklace. He obviously killed her.” He jerked his head toward Veronica. “Like she said, Willie was already in jail when the e-mails were sent. Whoever sent these notes, they’re just trying to get your money.”
Mike Dewalt shot to his feet. His face was terrifying, his thick bushy brows low over his eyes. Wordlessly, he grabbed his son’s shirtfront, pulling Crane roughly toward him. Margie shrieked, shoving her chair away from them both. Veronica caught sight of Ella’s face, a sudden, protective blank.
Before anyone else could move, Keith stood from his chair. He held both hands up nonthreateningly, but he took a few careful steps toward the two men. “Mr. Dewalt. Please—you’re in a courthouse. I don’t want to see you in the lockup. Not when we should be focused on how to bring Hayley home.”
His voice was quiet but firm, a tone that was more compassionate than chastising. The room was otherwise silent. Veronica realized she was holding her breath, her muscles tense. Mike froze, staring down into his son’s face for another beat. Then he let go. Crane leaned against the wall, shaking—whether from anger or fear, Veronica didn’t know.
Petra waited until Mike had sat back down before speaking again. “As to your question, Mrs. Dewalt, I will talk to the lawyers this afternoon to make certain, but I see no reason not to use the donations any way we must.”
It was Tanner who broke the silence.
“What about a ransom specialist?”
The gravity in the room shifted, all eyes moving down the table to his exhausted face. He looked around at them all.
“A what?” Petra stared at him blankly. He looked apologetic, like bringing it up was somehow awkward.
“You know—the people who handle the ransom so it all goes off according to plan? They had a thing about it on Dateline a couple years back. Lots of security firms are doing that kind of thing these days.” He licked his dry lips, looking around the table. Margie glanced at her husband, obviously interested in the idea. Lamb scowled but remained silent.
“Well, of course, if you feel it’s the best way to handle the situation—” Petra began. Lianne stood up abruptly, holding Hunter against her chest.
“I think we do.” She gave Lamb a withering look. “I’d feel a little safer with a professional on my side.”
Veronica knew the barb was directed at Lamb, but she still flinched internally. As if she weren’t a professional; as if she hadn’t done her best to bring the girls home. But Lianne was already halfway out the door, Hunter in her arms. Tanner gave the table an awkward smile and hurried after her.
With that, the meeting seemed to be adjourned. Crane stormed out ahead of his family, shoving violently through the door. Everyone else rose slowly, gathering their belongings with tentative movements. Veronica took one last look at Lamb then left, Keith close behind her.
“You okay?” Keith asked Veronica when they were on the steps outside. She smiled faintly.
“Yeah. I’m okay.”
But her heart felt heavy as they walked back to the car together. For once, she had a feeling that Lamb might be right—not about Willie Murphy, but about those e-mails being a hoax. And somewhere in the pit of her stomach she had the uneasy feeling that the girls weren’t going to make it home. If the families paid out, someone was going to get away with fraud at best—and at worst, murder.