No answer.
Not that I expected one.
I left a pleading voicemail, got the drinks, and headed back to NICU.
Come on. Ring. Ring. Ring!
My phone remained silent, but as if in response, Jade’s phone buzzed.
“Oh, no,” she said. “It’s Colin’s father.”
“Ted Morse?” I said. “Why is he calling you? And how did he get your new number?”
“I have no idea. Should I take it?”
“I guess so,” I said. “If you’re up to it.”
Yes, take it. Take it. Take it.
“Hello,” Jade said into the phone. “Yeah, hi, Ted. What? Are you kidding me?” She turned to me. “Colin’s missing again.”
I grabbed the phone from Jade’s hand. “Yeah? Who paid you this time?”
“Who is this?” Ted Morse said.
“Marjorie Steel. I’m a friend of your son’s, and I know exactly how Tom Simpson got hold of him. You sold him.”
“Sold him? What are you talking about?”
“You know very well what I’m talking about, Mr. Morse. You took a payment from Tom Simpson, and in return, gave him access to abduct your son.”
“This is ridiculous. I’m calling the police.”
“Do it. I have proof of what you did.” A lie, but Colin had the proof.
“You have nothing.”
“Are you willing to bet your life on that?” I asked. “I’d think long and hard first.”
“This conversation is over. I want to speak to Jade.”
“Sure.” I handed the phone to Jade.
“What am I supposed to do now?” she said after pressing her mute button.
“Keep him on the line. I want to get the call traced. Find his location.” I quickly called the number I had for Mills and Johnson.
“He’s probably in Denver at home.”
“We don’t know that for sure.”
“What am I supposed to say to him?”
“I don’t know. Just keep him talking. Tell him you have the proof, but you’re willing to listen to his side of the story. Whatever it takes to keep him on the phone. Damn! The PIs aren’t answering.”
“Call Ruby,” Melanie said. “She’ll be able to do it.”
“On it.”