“That was my first thought, but she likely doesn’t know.”

“Why do you say that?”

“You really think Connie Wolfe wouldn’t hold this over your father’s head?”

“Good point, but that could be why he destroyed all evidence of it.”

“It could. But I did some digging. There’s no record in any government database of this marriage. But…there is a record in the church’s logs.”

“Okay…”

“And here’s the kicker,” Buck said. “This particular church also keeps records of all marriages officiated there that have been annulled or dissolved. This marriage doesn’t appear in any of those records.”

“Fuck me,” I said. “Are you telling me my father was a bigamist?”

“I’m not telling you anything. I’m saying it’s a possibility we need to investigate.”

I exhaled. Inhaled. Exhaled again. “Easy enough to figure out. I can find out if my father was sending money to some kind of unknown entity. Keeping this Irene woman.”

“I’d bet you’ll find something.”

“Who the hell is she?” I shook my head. “Why would she stay with such a psychopath? Surely she knew what was going on with him and my sister, even if she didn’t know about his hunting games.”

“I couldn’t tell you,” Buck said.

“Right. Shit. First, we have to make sure Lacey doesn’t get implicated any further.”

“As I told you, I took all the items I found. Doesn’t mean there aren’t others out there.”

“No, it doesn’t. Fuck.” I raked my fingers through my hair.

“Honestly, I’m surprised Jim—or someone else—hasn’t begun planting them yet.”

“Me too.”

Unless he had, and we’d missed it. Or…unless he knew we’d find the church underground and he left them there on purpose.

Then there was Hank Morgan, who seemed determined to pin this on one of us.

He was dirty.

I felt it in my bones.

“Thanks for everything, Buck.” I stood. “I’ve got to run. Time to pay a visit to dear old Mom.”

Connie Wolfe lived uptown in a lavish apartment. Her spousal maintenance, which had stopped after Dad’s death, had kept her living the high life. How long would she be able to stay in this place? I had no idea. Didn’t really care, either.

“I’m here to see my mother, Dexter,” I said to the doorman.

“Very good, Mr. Wolfe. Is she expecting you?”

“Honestly, I don’t give a rat’s ass.” I slipped him a couple Benjamins.

“Fair enough.” He opened the door. “Go ahead.”

I fetched the keycard to my mother’s place out of my wallet. She didn’t know I had it, but my secret would be out in a few minutes. I walked briskly to her private elevator, slid the keycard, and ascended.