“Yes, but I’m not entirely sure why. She kept saying something about money and needing me to die so she could get her money. She wasn’t making a lot of sense. And then she shot S-e-a-n.” When Dice and Ink looked at me with confusion, I pointed at the little girl. “She knows his name.”
“Why is Se—S-e-a-n here?”
“I don’t know. He showed up when Flint did. Well, I haven’t seen him, but Flint said it was him.”
“Here,” Ink said and handed the crying baby back to me. “I’ll see if I can get some details.”
“I wish there was something I could do for her.”
“I know what to do,” Ranger said, appearing out of nowhere. “Hand her over.”
I was willing to try anything and gladly passed her over to him. He situated her against his chest as he sat in one of the chairs. Then he started gently rocking back and forth while he quietly sang to her. Her cries quieted, and within a few minutes, she was fast asleep against Ranger’s chest.
Ink returned a little while later with a question that I wasn’t expecting. “Do you know how to contact Sean’s mother? He wants her to come get his daughter.”
“I’m sure I still have her number saved in my phone,” I said and looked around the room before I remembered where my phone was. “It’s in my purse, which I think is on the floor somewhere near the front door.”
“I’ll get it,” he said.
“Just unlock it and give the number to whoever needs it,” I said and rattled off the passcode to my phone. I would if I had to, but I really did not want to call Sean’s mother.
When he came back to the kitchen, he handed my phone to me. “She’s on her way,” he said. “Now, sit and I’ll tell you what I found out from Flint.” Then he proceeded to give me more information than I could process.
“He’s been chained in her basement all this time?” I asked in disbelief.
“That’s what he said. And judging by the smell of him, I think he’s telling the truth.”
“That smell by the front door was him?” Dice blurted.
“Shhh!” Ink and I hissed at the same time.
“Taco’s sleeping!” Ink added.
I slapped my hand over my mouth to stifle a laugh. Then I reached out and gently squeezed his arm to silently thank him. I needed a laugh, and his timing was perfect.
“Taco?” Ranger mouthed.
“We don’t know her first name, and we think her last name’s Bell,” Ink explained as if it made perfect sense.
“It’s probably Sanders,” I pointed out. “Her last name.”
“So, she’s either Colonel Sanders or Taco Bell,” Ink said.
That time, I couldn’t contain it. I bolted to the other room as a laugh escaped me. Unfortunately, the room I chose was full of police officers. When they all turned to look at me, my face heated with embarrassment. I pointed to myself and apologized. “I’m sorry. I’m a nervous laugher, and this is a stressful situation. Please excuse me.”
I hurried back to the kitchen to find Dice shaking his head and grinning, while Ink was shaking with silent laughter.
“We’re all going to hell,” I quietly scolded, eliciting more soft chuckles.
Thankfully, we were interrupted when Phoenix, Flint, and the sheriff entered the kitchen. I raised my finger to my lips and pointed at the baby.
“He needs to get your statement,” Phoenix said quietly.
“Oh, um,” I said and looked around for somewhere we could talk.
“How about the dining room?” Flint suggested and pointed toward the room.
“You two go ahead,” Ink said. “I’ll stay here with Ranger and Taco.”