Page 19 of Shadow Undercover

“That’s right,” Trace said. “We need you to find her. She cleaned out Bridget’s bank account before she left town. She didn’t need the money.”

“Did your sister leave you a note with an explanation?”

“A short one that said she was on vacation with Hugo and didn’t know when she’d return. She wanted to be alone with the love of her life.”

“She was lying?”

“Ruth is shy, slow to open up to others. She knew Hugo for two weeks when she disappeared. It’s unlikely that she viewed Hugo as her true love. Besides, she’s a famous supermodel. Wouldn’t someone have bombarded the media with sightings of her in a new place with a boyfriend? No, Zane, something is very wrong. We have to find my sister before it’s too late.”

Trace’s gut clenched. Shadow might already be too late to find Ruth alive. “Look for electronic footprints, Z. I’ll put out feelers in law enforcement and military communities. A trail must exist somewhere.”

“If there is, I’ll find it. Bridget, what if you find out Ruth was telling the truth in her note? What if she wants to be with Hugo and she had a cash flow shortage?”

“Then we’ll work out a plan for her to replace the money in my account. I want to make sure she’s safe. I went to Chile to ask Pedro if he knew where Hugo was. I thought he’d be my best lead to find Ruth and talk to her face-to-face.”

“Did you talk to Pedro?”

“No. I told the gate guard who I was. Two of Pedro’s men hustled me away from the house and took me to the alley where Trace found me. They were quite clear about me staying away from the Torino estate and Hugo.”

“You’re lucky you survived.”

“I’m a little banged up but I’m alive. I’ll take that.”

“Pedro and his men aren’t known for their kindness.”

Bridget’s gaze locked with Trace’s. “That’s another reason I’m worried. Ruth has a kind heart and is easily hurt by others. She wouldn’t survive long in a world ruled by evil.”

Trace squeezed her hand. The modeling world was brutal. How did a kind and gentle supermodel survive in a cutthroat world?

“So, Bridget,” Zane said. “If your sister cleaned out your bank account, how did you afford the plane ticket to Chile?”

“Our grandparents were into savings bonds. I cashed in all of my bonds to pay for the flight and expenses. I assume you can check the money trail.”

“Are you giving me permission?”

“I am.”

“All right. I’ll check your story. If you think of anything else to help me locate your sister, contact me. Trace, make sure she has access to my number.”

“Copy that.”

“I’ll contact you when I learn something.”

“Day or night, Z.”

“I hear you. Later.”

A knock sounded on the door as Trace slid the phone into his pocket. Brent walked in.

“Did you talk to Zane?”

He nodded. “He’s starting the trace now.”

“How can I help?”

“Do you know if Rafe Torres is available?”

“He’s training at PSI. You should catch him before classes this morning. Why?”

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