“When you open the phones, I want Gupta to run a location track,” said Rich. “Then have him do a deep dive into Stacy Barber and Karen Jeffries using the sleeper algorithm Graves has been working on.”

“Will do,” said Alex.

“What are you thinking?” asked Marnie, already knowing the answer.

“I’m thinking this sleeper situation is more like a family affair with the Barbers and Jeffrieses,” said Rich. “Including the children.”

His last three words took her breath away for a few moments.

“A third generation?” she said.

“Let’s hope not,” said Rich. “But something’s definitely not adding up.”

CHAPTER 39

CHAPTER 39

Devin watched the exchange by the kitchen, wishing he had accompanied Marnie. Something big was brewing. He caught a glimpse of the woman’s face on the computer and saw Mike go to work on the phones with what looked like a phone-on-phone scanner. When Marnie returned, he whispered in her ear.

“What’s the story?”

“You’ll see,” she said.

Marnie didn’t whisper back, which told him he was in for a show. Rich nodded at Rico, who tore off Barber’s strip of duct tape. Barber started protesting immediately, which got him a quick jab to the nose from Rich. Devin didn’t like where this was headed, but Rich pulled the punch before it could do any real damage. The hit stunned Barber into silence, a bizarrely malevolent look flashing across the woman’s face, just as quickly returning to sobs occasionally interrupted by a mumbled, “Please don’t hurt me.”

“You can knock off the act, Mrs. Jeffries,” said Rich.

Jeffries? As in Harrison Jeffries’s wife? He glanced at Marnie, trying not to betray any surprise. She returned the look with a quick nod. Holy mother.

“First question. Where are your kids, William? Are we expecting them home anytime soon?” said Rich. “Your little romp in the hot tub suggests they’re either staying overnight with friends or out of town.”

“Look. I don’t know what’s happening here, but I’m guessing my wife put you guys up to this?” said Barber. “Did she tell you who I work for? I don’t think you want to mess—”

“The Indiana State Attorney General’s Office?” said Rich. “What’s next? Is Karen going to threaten me with the power and might of the Illinois AG’s office? I don’t give a shit who you work for or with. And for the record, your wife didn’t put me up to this.”

“Was it my husband?” asked Karen. “I’m sure we can work this out. He doesn’t want a scandal on his hands any more than any of us do. Please. We’ll break this off right now. Never again. I have kids. I don’t know what you plan to do, but I want to see them again more than him.”

Karen broke into the fake crying again, and Barber took over.