"Or he was lured out," Drew suggested.
"Girlfriend? Or his mother?" Nathan eased up to the gate and entered his pass code. The gate opened and Nathan went through, stopping at the highway.
"What about the store?"
"Could be anything." Nathan was right. They could've closed early for any number of reasons.
"Does his mother live around here?"
"In the old workers' village. Lonnie's dad worked here most of his life. Dad gave her the house when he passed."
"Would Lonnie have told her about Natalie?"
"Everyone seems to know except me," Nathan said.
"Because you're a scary motherfucker. She's the only one who isn't afraid of you. But … Even Natalie thinks twice before crossing you."
Nathan's growl made Drew laugh. "Because of that. Right there." He took his life in his hands and reached out with the intention of pulling the long black ponytail at the back of Nathan's neck. Nathan turned to look at him and Drew found flesh instead.
He didn't pull his hand away. Drew cupped Nathan's face and caressed his cheek with his thumb instead. Nathan blinked rapidly in surprise but didn't pull away. "When this is over. We need to talk. Really talk. The three of us. I'm in love with you. Both of you," Drew said, his voice breaking on the admission.
Nathan's gaze turned hard and Drew dropped his hand, but Nathan caught it. He didn't say anything. He looked … afraid.
"Let's go see Lonnie's mother. He probably stopped in to say hi and his phone died. If his mother is like mine or yours, he's not getting out of there until he's been fed … or gotten married. Whichever is easiest," Drew suggested because it made the most sense. He tried to pretend the look in Nathan's eyes wasn't affecting him. Not in the slightest.
Nathan squeezed his hand before letting go. The moment passed and Nathan pulled out onto the highway heading back towards town.
Chapter Nineteen
Mrs. Ortiz was just as Nathan remembered her: tall like her son, with a kind face. She was older than the last time he'd seen her, but who wasn't? The look on her face when she opened the door was one he'd hoped to never see.
"Tell me it's not Lonnie," she said before he could say a word. Nathan steeled his spine. God, he hated these visits.
"We're looking for Lonnie, Mrs. Ortiz." He didn't want to worry her if he didn't have to. But he needed … shit. "I need to ask him a few questions."
He felt Drew's disbelief. Yes, he lied. So what? He hoped someone had had the decency to lie to his mother when the worst had come to pass. He'd never asked what she'd been told when he'd ended up in the hospital down in Chattanooga during a blizzard. He hoped it was a nice lie.
"About one of those missing boys from the plant?" She still clutched at her blouse with one hand and the door with the other.
"Yes, ma'am," he said with no remorse. Lonnie was one of those missing boys from the plant. And if he was still alive out there, then Nathan would spare the woman that much. If he wasn't … then he'd personally be the one to come back. For now, he needed to know what she knew. "May we come in?"
She looked from him to Drew standing silently behind him. "He's the undercover officer my boy told me about?" She looked Drew up and down then said something in Spanish that Nathan didn't understand. Drew answered. She seemed satisfied and opened the door. "It's good to see you again, Mr. Truman."
"Nathan, Mrs. Ortiz. My dad still gets to be Mr. Truman." God, he hated being called Mister. Made him feel old.
"I remember when you were wearing diapers. You and that blond boy. You boys used to run your poor mama ragged," she said, a fond smile on her face. "I was just a girl then. I met my husband at the plant. Mrs. Truman hired me as her secretary and I became your father's secretary. Then Lonnie came and I decided I'd rather stay home and … Well, that's old news. Lonnie isn't here. You should know where to find him; he moved in with your lovely sister."
Nathan tried not to flinch. Apparently everyone knew about Natalie and Alonzo Ortiz. Except him. She smiled brightly at him then. "They thought they were sneaking around and being smart. I know when my boy is lying to me. He's not the type to sneak. I guess maybe I understand."
"I don't," Nathan said before he could stop himself. "I don't know why she felt she couldn't tell us. Or me. I'm not sure if my parents know."
She looked at him again carefully, as if she were looking for some truth that could be found on his skin. "Like you trusted your family? Sneaking never does anybody any good. But that's a long time ago."