“How’s married life, bro? How’s Melanie?”
“Great.” He laughed. “And she’s good. A little nausea, but she’s handling it like a pro.”
“Glad to hear it.”
“I doubt you called to ask about my wedded bliss.”
“Yeah, well, there is something else. I got a weird phone call this morning. In fact, I got another one before we left for Jamaica. Both different numbers though.” I explained the situation.
“That is weird.” Joe’s voice had a slight edge to it. “Did the woman give you a name?”
“A name? Why would she give me a name? I only have one mother, and she’s dead.”
“Right. Of course.”
What was up with my brother? “I saved the second number. I’m going to give Trevor Mills a call and have him look into it.”
“No, don’t.” My brother’s voice was stern.
“Why the hell not?”
“Because this is just some prank. Mills and Johnson are on Mathias. That’s where they need to be concentrating.”
“Joe, what gives? You know as well as I do that tracing a phone number will take Mills all of three seconds.”
“Yeah, you’re right. I’m sorry. It’s just…”
“Just what?”
“Shit. Nothing. Go ahead and give them a call. Let me know what you find out. Do you want me to call Talon?”
“Go ahead if you want. I’m going to get Mills on this first.”
“Sure, I’ll call him. And Ry?”
“Yeah?”
“Love you, bro. No matter what.”
What? When was the last time either of my brothers had said they loved me? Probably the fifth of never. Not that I doubted their love. We just weren’t a touchy-feely bunch.
“Love you too,” I said and ended the call.
That was weird. Very weird.
After a quick call to Mills to look into the number—I left him a voice mail—I called Ruby.
“Detective Lee.”
“Hey there, baby.”
“Oh, hi, Ryan.”
“Don’t sound so excited to hear from me.” I smiled into the phone.
“No. I’m happy you called. I’m just in work mode.”
“What are you working on?”