Page 25 of Deadly Sins: Envy

“She’s on tour,” I said. “Someone must believe in her.”

“People can be convinced to believe anything when enough money is involved.”

She was hinting at something.

I wanted to know what.

“What are you saying?” I asked.

“Willow’s father paid for this little tour she’s been on.”

I didn’t want to believe it, but having met the guy, it seemed somewhat plausible.

“Did Willow know her father paid for the tour?”

“To my knowledge, she didn’t know a thing.”

“How doyouknow about it?” I asked.

Kendra grabbed the shot glasses, poured another round, and said, “Honey, I’ve been around a long time. I know everything there is to know about what goes on in this business.”

“Who told you?”

“I’d rather not say.”

“Are you kidding me?” I said. “Blake Gillette is dead. Willow is either alive and fighting for her life or she’s also dead. Either way, Willow deserves to be found, and they both deserve justice for what’s happened. How would you feel if your child went missing?”

“I don’t know. I don’t have any children.”

“But you have a heart and a conscience, right?”

“What will you do with the information if I tell you?”

I could have pacified her with an answer that made her feel comfortable, but I decided the better move was to let her know what she could expect if she didn’tcooperate.

“If you don’t want to tell me, fine,” I said. “But when the FBI comes poking around, which I expect to happen anytime, good luck getting out of here so you can continue your tour.”

Kendra looked at Beck.

Beck shook his head.

“It was Bender,” she said.

“Bender?” I said. “Who told him?”

“I’m not sure. He didn’t say.”

“Is there anything else you’d like to confess?”

“I don’t think so,” Kendra said.

“Look,” Beck said. “We’re both sorry about what happened to Willow. She’s a sweet girl. We hope she’s still alive, but for now, we’re through answering your questions.”

CHAPTER 11

I returned to The Wild Honeybees’ motorhome and noticed the door was ajar. I called out to Gina and then inched the door open and poked my head inside. Gina was on the sofa snuggled beneath a blanket with Bender.

“Oh, I ahh ... I didn’t know you two were together,” I said.