Chapter 15
FIFTEEN
The highway stretched ahead, nothing but farmland and fences to break up the horizon.
Country music played softly from the truck's speakers. Peyton adjusted the air vent away from her face and flipped through the news articles she’d saved on her tablet.
“I’ve been doing some research on the Iron Serpents.
Their reach is a lot further than I understood—beyond Knoxville and well into Austin—and they haven’t just been linked to drugs and weapons.
There are several unsolved murders connected to them. ”
Dawson nodded, his gaze skipping to the side view mirror before focusing back on the road.
His attention had been heightened since they left the police station.
Knoxville was nothing but a blip behind them, but it was still another half an hour to the outskirts of Austin.
Plenty of open road where they could be attacked.
Peyton leaned her head back against the seat. “Thanks for coming with me. And for arranging protection for Grace. It means a lot.”
His lips quirked. “We both know you’d be far more trouble stuck in Siberia with nothing to do but fret. Idle hands and all that.”
She laughed. “I’d have Grace to keep me busy.
But yes, you’re right.” Being trapped in a safe house would only leave her sick with worry and no way to help.
She’d do it in order to protect Grace, but if there was another way to accomplish that while still working the case, she’d prefer that option.
“Chief Garcia and everyone in the police department are great. Dedicated. I can see why you’re happy here. ”
“It’s home. But yes, it’s nice to work with people who care as much as I do.”
He’d built a life for himself. With purpose. With passion. Surrounded by co-workers, friends, and family. The only thing Peyton could see that was missing was a significant other.
The memory of their kiss wouldn't leave her alone. If the shooting, the phone call with Marvis, and learning her cousin may have stolen something from Cade hadn’t kept her awake, the conversation in the barn with Dawson and their toe-curling kiss would have.
For the first time, Peyton allowed herself a tiny glimmer of hope. Hope that her cousin was alive and safe, hiding out somewhere. And hope that she and Dawson could find their way back to each other.
She longed to ask him about last night, but it was complicated and there were more pressing matters at hand.
Peyton turned back to the tablet. “Most of the murders connected to the Iron Serpents appear drug or turf related. But then I found this last night.” She pulled up an article from five months ago.
“An accountant named Walter Jennings was shot execution-style. His body was left on the side of the road outside north Austin. The Texas Rangers are working the case, but so far haven’t developed a solid lead.
Jennings was an accountant, apparently known for handling the finances of criminals.
Groups like the Iron Serpents, who use legitimate businesses to launder the money they make from illegal activities. ”
“You think Walter Jennings’s murder has something to do with Lilia?”
“I think Lilia stole something valuable from Cade, and what’s more valuable than money?
” She let that settle between them. “Think about it, Dawson. Lilia’s life might be a mess, but she’s talented mathematically.
Cade knew that. Aunt Sandra mentioned he took Lilia to Vegas because she could count cards and would help him win at poker games.
So years later, if Cade suspected his accountant was stealing from him, I could see him asking Lilia to look at the books. ”
“And what? She used the opportunity to steal money?”
“Maybe.” Peyton could easily picture her cousin, desperate and pregnant, using Cade’s trust against him. “She may have taken more than money. She could have evidence too. Something she could threaten Cade with in order to get him to leave her and Grace alone.”
Dawson was quiet for a long moment, as if he were thinking over what she’d proposed. “It’s a good theory, but we’re making a lot of leaps without much evidence.”
Peyton nodded. “You’re right. Let’s see what the attorney has to say.”
The landscape changed from farmland to suburbs and then the city.
Office buildings blocked out the sun as Dawson carefully navigated through downtown to a parking garage across the street from the lawyer’s office.
As they walked to the high-rise, his hand came to rest on the small of her back.
The touch, even through her wool coat, sent awareness racing through her.
Peyton edged closer to him. She was armed and kept her attention on her surroundings, but danger could come out of nowhere.
Thankfully, none found them.
They entered the lobby, went through security, and a few minutes later, were seated across from Carmen Reyes.
Mid-forties, dressed in an elegant maroon suit and understated jewelry, she had the quiet composure that came from years of navigating difficult conversations.
Her office was modest but immaculate—a family law degree on the wall, a framed photo of two kids on the desk, and a small succulent that looked far healthier than anything Peyton had ever kept alive.
“I explained to the detective that I spoke with yesterday, my conversations with Lilia are privileged.” Carmen folded her hands on her desk. “As such, I cannot share with you anything we discussed without her express permission.”
She wasn’t stonewalling to be difficult. Attorney-client privilege was a serious matter, one that continued even after the client died. Peyton’s heart sank. “I had hoped Lilia had left special instructions for me.”
Carmen tilted her head as if puzzled. “I’m sorry, she didn’t.”
“Are you sure? There’s no package or a letter?”
“No.”
Peyton did her best to push her disappointment aside.
She’d planned for this contingency. If she couldn’t get her hands on the evidence, maybe they could figure out if Cade was actually Grace’s father.
Peyton suspected he was, but that wasn’t proof.
She pulled the legal documents from her bag.
“That’s quite all right, Mrs. Reyes. Since you drafted the guardianship document, I was hoping you could answer a few questions about it. ”
“I can certainly try.”
She flipped to the second page and pointed to a relevant section. “Grace’s father isn’t listed. In fact, it says here that he’s unknown.”
“That’s not as uncommon as one might think.
Speaking in generalities, there are times a client may not wish to name the father.
He could be abusive, or not in the picture, or sometimes unknown.
Whenever this is the case, I take care in explaining to my clients that should something happen to them and the guardianship paperwork is triggered, the father of the child could step forward to challenge it. ”
“Did Lilia seem concerned about that happening? Grace’s father coming forward?”
Carmen's expression didn't change, but something shifted behind her eyes. “I can't speak to my client's state of mind. What I can tell you is that the document was drafted with care. The provisions are thorough and legally sound.”
“Was she scared?”
“I cannot say.”
Dawson shifted in his chair. “Can you tell us when Lilia contacted you to draft the document?”
“That’s privileged.”
“What about where she was living?”
“Also privileged.”
He blew out a breath of frustration, and Peyton briefly laid a hand on his arm before turning to face the attorney.
“Mrs. Reyes, I understand we’re putting you in a difficult situation, but my cousin is missing.
She’s in trouble, and I’m not being melodramatic to say this is a matter of life and death.
We don’t know where she was living during the time of her pregnancy, or who she may have interacted with.
All we have is an old Austin address, a birth record for Grace, and this guardianship paperwork.
Anything you could share with us that might help our investigation would be appreciated. ”
Carmen met her gaze. Regret pinched her mouth. “I’m very sorry, Special Agent Hughes, but my hands are tied. The only questions I can answer for you are about the document you hold in your hand. I can also answer general legal questions. Anything more, anything specific to Lilia, is privileged.”
Disappointment drew Peyton’s shoulders down. They wouldn’t get anything useful out of the meeting. She rose. “I understand. Thank you for your time.”
“Certainly.” Carmen shook Peyton’s hand and then Dawson’s.
They started for the door. Dawson reached it first, holding it open for Peyton. She was just about to cross the threshold when Carmen said, “Special Agent Hughes.”
Peyton turned.
“I’m sorry. It was terribly rude of me not to ask. How is Grace?”
“She misses her mother.”
Carmen nodded, her expression a mix of understanding and sympathy.
“Becoming a guardian unexpectedly can be nerve-wracking, and learning to take care of an infant can be overwhelming. There’s a wonderful parenting class held at Saint Andrew's Church. They also run a women’s shelter, which is always in need of donations if you feel so inclined. Ask for Mimi Nguyen. She can help you.”
Peyton’s heart skipped a beat. She held the other woman’s gaze for a moment, doing her best to convey the gratitude swelling in her chest. “Thank you, counselor.”
“Good luck, Special Agent. I hope you find Lilia safe and sound.”
“So do I.”