Pike said, What?

She's been calling the same number Debra Repko called. All the incoming calls were from the same number, too.

Wilts?

Let's find out.

Jonna pushed up from the chair and tried to run, but Pike wrapped her in his arms. She kicked and whipped her head from side to side, but Pike held her close and covered her mouth. He squeezed just enough to make her stop squirming, then nodded at me.

I dialed the number, then waited through the rings. I didn't wait long.

A voice said, Jonna? Jonna, where have you been? I've been calling

I held my breath, and wondered if he could hear the pulse pounding in my ear.

Hello? Can you hear me?

He raised his voice.

Do we have a bad connection?

I turned off the phone, then took a deep breath. I wanted to push it out and blow away all the terrible feelings, but I couldn't move.

Pike said, Was it Wilts?

I shook my head.

No. Not Wilts. It was Alan Levy.

PART FOUR

RECIPROCITY

Chapter 40

PIKE TIED her wrists with an extension cord. I put her cell phones in a paper grocery bag I found in the kitchen, but we left everything else as we found it. Marx would want the scene as undisturbed as possible for his detectives and criminalists. It was Marx's play and I should have left it to him, but didn't.

When Pike brought Jonna out to his Jeep, I called Bastilla. The only number I had was her cell, but she didn't answer. She was probably still angry, but she might have been working. Either way, I was glad she didn't answer. I left a message.

Ivy Casik's real name is Jonna Hill. She is Yvonne Bennett's half sister. Call Pike. She'll be with him.

I left Pike's number, then locked Jonna's house and joined them at the Jeep. I gave him the keys.

The police will need these. I left word for Bastilla and gave her your number. They'll be calling.

Pike was going to hold Jonna and her mother at a safe location until we reached Marx.

Pike said, You sure you don't want me along?

I'm good. I'll see you in a bit.

I watched them drive away, then glanced at Jonna's house. I studied it for a while, then considered the sky. The canopy overhead was empty of clouds or birds. I wanted something to be there, but the sky was a milky blue desert. I slipped into my car, studied the cell number Alan Levy had given to me, but I didn't want to speak to him over the phone. I called his office instead.

Hi, Jacob. Is Alan there?

I'm sorry, no. Did he ever get back to you? I gave him your messages.

Yeah, we spoke, but I need to find him again. He isn't in court, is he?

Oh, no. He cleared his calendar when all this started about Mr. Byrd. He hasn't been in for days.