Page 75 of The Attercop

“No. She mentioned it in passing the first time she was here. It didn’t seem relevant at the time, but the more I discover, the more I think she’s involved in Declan’s disappearance.”

“What do you mean?” Gary asked.

“For starters, her cell phone number is disconnected now. Then, earlier today, I found out that the house she claimed to live in with her father has been empty for years—a neighbour confirmed this. Oh, and as for George Slate, I found one who lives in Calgary and works for a mining company, like she said her father did. When I contacted him, he said he’s never heard of her.”

Charlie stood and walked to the window. “The one thing I did learn was that, according to a friend of hers, she has a brother. I think we need to focus on Jules. I want to check if a friend of hers I met knows the name of the vet clinic she worked at, and Gary, since you have a warrant now, can you add having Jules’ cell phone provider cough up her phone records? If we could see who she’d been talking to before the phone was disconnected, it might lead us to her or her brother.”

“I’m pretty sure I can arrange for that,” Gary said.

Charlie asked, “How long would it take?”

“Given that it’s probably a matter of life or death, the phone company should be able to get the phone records within a matter of hours.”

Charlie glanced at Mrs B. The colour had drained from her face.

“Mrs B—are you okay?”

She shook her head. “Whatever we do, I think we need to act fast. I’m pretty sure that Charlie’s instincts about young Jules are well founded. I had our lawyer track down the owners of the houses—the one Declan was traced to, and the other one where Jules claimed to live. I was also able to trace who paid the bill for Jules’ protection contract with us. All three traces led to the same numbered company—a company registered to Monarch Holdings.”

“Oh, shit,” Sam, Gary and Charlie said in unison.

Gwen said nothing. She took a deep breath, cleared some plates and quickly went into the kitchenette.

“Mrs B,” Sam said, “can your lawyer get a full list of all the places that are owned by Monarch Holdings, or the numbered company? If Declan’s been taken, someone might be holding him at one of those properties.”

“I’ll call him right now,” she replied.

Gary got up. “I’m going to track down those phone records. I’ll get the list to all of you as soon as I can.”

Sam rose as well. “There was an interesting name on Declan’s list—Simon Griffin, one of Monarch’s former head honchos. I put him lower on the list because he’s in custody at the Calgary Remand Centre, but maybe he hired someone on the outside to go after Declan. I think I’m going to try and see him tonight.”

“While you’re doing that,” Charlie said, “I’m going to see if Jules’ friend can tell me which vet clinic she worked for.”

Mrs B crossed her arms. “We’ve all got work to do, and if Monarch’s involved, we don’t have a minute to lose.”

Chapter Thirty

Declan could feel the warmth of the sun bathe his body. His brain floated in a sea of exhaustion, and he just wanted to sleep. He felt a gentle nudge below his ribs.

“Go away.”

A slobbering tongue was lapping at his bare right flank.

“Cut it out, Duck.”

“So, that’s what you call that boy of yours,” a voice said, penetrating Declan’s dream. “I bet you miss your little Duck doing this to you. But, don’t worry, babe, you’ve got me now.”

The voice was deep, but had a raspy edge to it. Between sentences, the person licked Declan’s torso, lapping at it like a dog. Declan opened his eyes. A hood still covered his head. He tried to move away, but his body was still shackled.

“I’m sorry. Does that bother you?” the voice asked. “I’m sure your boy wakes you up like that. Or does he focus his attention on this?” Declan felt a hand on his crotch, then lips kissing him through his briefs.

“What do you want?” Declan yelled.

“I want you to love me, the way you love Charlie.”

“That’ll never happen.”

“Well then, I guess what I want doesn’t really matter to you, does it? You’re so selfish.”