Page 45 of Embers of Torment

"Can you give me an estimate of his height and weight?" Braxton's eyes bored into me as he asked the question.

"Umm…sure. I'd say the guy was six foot three or four. And solid. You know, muscular like. I guess his weight could have been somewhere around two hundred and fifty pounds."

Braxton turned to Reid. "That sounds like someone who could get into your backyard and onto the deck. The problem is we can't connect him to Sofie's mother." Braxton refocused his attention on me. "Della, was there anything else that you can remember? A noise? A person? Something out of place?"

"No, that was it."

"All right. I have no more questions. You can go unless Reid or Sofie need you."

Reid studied Sofie, still rigid in her seat. "I'm going to keep Sofie here for a while. Della, you can return to your office."

I slid my chair back and left. My knees trembled as I leaned against the mirrored wall in the elevator and expelled a shaky breath.Holy moly. What the freaking bejesus was going on?

Chapter 14

Jace

Ichecked the time on my computer. It was five twenty-five. Della should have gotten home ten minutes ago. Picking up my cell phone, I dialed her number. She answered on the second ring.

"Jace?"

"Yes, it's me. I hope I didn't catch you walking in the door."

"No. I've been here for an hour. I…umm. I left work early."

"Is something wrong?"Hmm. That's strange. It's not like Della to leave before five o'clock, and her voice sounds odd.

"Yeah, it was a crappy afternoon. I had to go to the big boss's office."

"Is that Sofie's husband?"

"Yep, Reid Morgan. He's a super likable person and a savvy businessman. But boy, is he intimidating, especially when he's unhappy. I had to speak to a detective, Braxton Hennessey, with the Boston police. I was so depressed afterward that I couldn't get much done. I decided it was best if I took off."

"What happened?" Now I was worried. My stomach muscles tightened as I tried to imagine why a detective would need to talk to Della. She had an unwavering moral character and wasn't the type of person to break the law. Confused, I was at a loss. Then it struck me. Maybe she was a victim. My heart pounded at the thought. "Della, you're not saying anything. Did something happen to you? Are you hurt?"

"No, nothing like that. Sorry, I'm just upset." Della sniffled. "It had to do with some stuff that occurred six weeks ago when I babysat for Sofie and Reid at their house."

"Like what?"Dammit! Della doesn't usually get ruffled. I need to be there with her.

"I was watching a thriller on television after the kids went to bed and heard a noise in the backyard. I got spooked and thought I saw someone on the deck, which turned out to be a patio chair. At least, that's what I thought it was when I checked. Anyway, other things happened that night and again a few weeks ago. Reid got miffed because I hadn't mentioned some of it and may have put myself at risk."

"I have to admit. I understand Reid getting upset if you placed yourself in danger. But I must be missing something. What brought all this on so long after the event?"

"It's because Sofie and Reid's babysitter disappeared. They haven't been able to reach her, so Reid asked Braxton, his close friend, to see what he could find out. Braxton recently discovered the woman's daughter filed a missing person report on her."

"What does that have to do with you?"

"The last time anyone talked to or saw Allison was the day I babysat in her place. She had called before she was to show up and canceled, and no one has heard from her since."

"Allison is the sitter?"

"Yeah, and I've met her. She was an elementary school teacher but retired a while back. Her husband died around ten years ago, and she lived alone. Her daughter lives in Wisconsin. Anyway, it all seems fishy."

"It sounds like it."

"I feel shitty about the whole thing. Allison is super sweet, and I might have made the situation worse by keeping my frigging mouth shut. I want to kick myself."

"I'm coming over there. I'd rather you weren't by yourself. I'll need to tell my boss I'm leaving."

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