“I didn’t say anything I didn’t mean or wouldn’t have done,” I said. “If they’d put up any resistance, I would’ve hurt them.”

“I believe you,” she said. “I saw it in your eyes.”

“What they were doing to those girls was far worse than anything I could’ve done to them.”

“You could’ve killed them.”

“And if we hadn’t gotten to them last night, some of those girls might’ve wished they were dead,” I said. “I would’ve taken them out to help those girls. Not a hard choice for me.”

She pursed her lips and shrugged. “I guess. Regardless. Thank you. For all that you’ve done.”

“I didn’t do much.”

“You didn’t have to do anything. But you did. So, thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

“So. now what?”

“I need coffee,” I said.

She laughed. “I meant, big picture.”

I sucked in another lungful of cold air. “I’m gonna go see Codaselli. Tell him Marc’s okay. Then I’m waiting for a call from Tim Barron.”

We stood there silent for a moment, listening to the quiet.

“It seems unfair,” she said.

“What does?”

“Life,” she answered. “You find all of these people. You get them home. Or get them safe. But you can’t get the one thing you really want.” She paused. “It’s not fair.”

I swallowed. “It’s not. But there’s nothing I can do about it. Other than keep going.”

“Tim will call,” she said. “As soon as he has something, he’ll call.”

Cars were now crawling down the street, negotiating around the sloppy piles of snow the plows had moved out of the way and shoved to the curb. Their tires hissed and crunched against the icy powder.

“If he has something,” I said to Isabel. “And I’m used to ifs turning into nothing.”

THIRTY-SIX

Peter Codaselli crossed his legs at the knees and folded his bony hands together. “My son is alright?”

I’d left Isabel in search of coffee and after I’d found some, I drove over to Codaselli’s building. I was taken to his office immediately and we were in the same seats as before, Anchor at his spot at the conference table.

“He’s a little roughed up, but he’ll be okay.”

“Roughed up?”

“He was trying to protect the girl,” I explained. “He was outnumbered and they went to work on him. But he’ll be fine.”

Codaselli nodded, coughing. He held a fist to his mouth until the spasms subsided. “But he’s not with you.”

“No. He’s not.”

“May I ask why?”

“He’s an adult,” I said. “I can’t force him to go anywhere. If I put him in a car and brought him here, he’d be within his rights to call the authorities.”

Codaselli turned his head, his eyes toward the window. “Right.”

“I encouraged him to come see you.”

“And?”

“And I don’t know what he’ll do.”

He blinked several times. “Did you tell him about…my condition?”

“No. That’s not my place.”

“Will you tell me where he is?”

“He’s safe,” I said. “He’s probably asleep at the moment. Needs a shower and some more rest. But he’s safe.”

A thin smile spread across his face. “So, you won’t tell me.”

“I don’t think it’s the best idea.”

“And you know what’s best? For myself and my son?”

Anchor shifted in his chair, his elbow now perched on the tabletop.

“No, I don’t,” I said. “But I can tell you that I think if you give him some space, he’ll come. I think if you rush him, you’ll make it worse.”

He turned his eyes back to me. “Interesting. And would you do the same if you knew where your daughter was right this second?”

“Different set of circumstances.”

He shrugged his bony shoulders. “Perhaps. Unless I were to die this afternoon and he was still making up his mind. Then it would be slightly tragic, I think.”

He had a point. But I truly thought that having Anchor go pick him up would be a mistake. It would create hostility, more fighting, and he might not get the opportunity to tell his son anything.

“I think you should trust your son,” I said.

“Trust him?”

“To make the right decision,” I said. “He seems bright to me. I explained to him that the deal you two struck was no longer binding. That his debt was paid off. That having him come see you was not about those things. I think if you trust him, he’ll do the right thing.”

He stared at the window again. Anchor was taking a look at his phone, thumbing away at the screen. I sat and waited.

“I won’t wait long,” Codaselli finally said. “I’ll give him a day. Maybe two.”

“And then?”

“And then I’ll come find you if I need to,” he said. “Or, I’ll find those two young men who now work for me. I think they might be a better choice. Perhaps easier to convince than you.”

“Maybe.”

“Nonetheless, I’m grateful that you found him,” he said. “Thank you.”

“Wasn’t just me,” I responded. “But you’re welcome. I’m glad he’s alright.” I paused. “But I have a question.”

He raised an eyebrow, waiting.

“You told Stevie to tell me he had knowledge of my daughter,” I said. “So I’d help.”

Codaselli tilted his head in Anchor’s direction. “John?”

“Yes, sir,” Anchor said. “I did suggest that he use any tactic necessary to engage Mr. Tyler’s services and that was one I thought might work.”

Codaselli looked at me, as if that explained it all.

“Do you?” I asked. “Know anything about her?”

Codaselli again deferred to Anchor.

“I don’t,” he said, shaking his head. “And given that you were able to find Mr. Codaselli’s son, if I had any information, I would share it with you immediately.”

It was my turn to stare out the window. When Stevie told me that he was lying, I’d been angry. But I’d also managed to create in my head the idea that maybe Codaselli and Anchor had learned something that I hadn’t been able to find out about Elizabeth. That, maybe they did have a piece of information that would help.

Another if that had turned into nothing.

I stood. “Okay.”

Codaselli pushed himself out of his chair and Anchor rose at the conference table behind him.

Codaselli studied me for a moment. “You really believe that if I wait, he’ll come?”

I hesitated, then nodded. “Yes. I do.”

He stuck his hands on his hips. “I don’t trust many people, Mr. Tyler. But I’m inclined to trust you. I’m irritated that you didn’t bring my son to me, but I also appreciate that you’re looking out for him. That you really believe this is in his best interest.” He paused. “It may not make me happy right at this moment, but I respect that.” He held out his hand. “Thank you.”

We shook hands.

“John will see you out,” he said, sinking back down to his chair and fixing his eyes again on the window.

Anchor nodded at me and we exited the office.

We reached the office lobby.

“Do you mind if I walk out with you?” Anchor asked.

I shook my head and we stepped into the elevator together. He pressed the button for the main floor.

“He doesn’t have many days left,” he said, staring up at the panel of numbers. “He’s in a great deal of pain. He’s trying to ignore it.”

“I’m sorry,” I said.

Anchor nodded. “Me, too. In his own way, he’s a good man.”

I didn’t think I was in any position to judge who was good and who was not. That line had been blurred for me for a long time. Just because Peter Codaselli was one thing didn’t mean he couldn’t be another.

The elevator stopped and the doors opened. We stepped out into the main area of the building.

“Mr. Codaselli has asked me to tell you that he appreciates your help,” Anchor said. “If you are ever in need in a way that we might be able to repay the favor, please don’t hesitate to contact me.” He handed me a plain white business card with a phone number on it. “And please understand. This offer will stand even in the unfortunate event that Mr. Codaselli passes away. Call me. If I’m able to help, I will.”

I stuck the card in my pocket. “Thank you.”