Page 75 of Sinful Beauty

I brush aside the fact he clearly sees me as an assistant at best. “Where’d Lucia go?”

“She resigned.” He shoves his hands in his slacks, shoulders caved in. “I’m as surprised as anyone. She’s been working with me for five years now. With the company for eight. Apparently, an emergency with a family member.”

“A family member where?”

“Brazil.”

There’s no way. Lucia wouldn’t pack up and move to Brazil.

Is avoiding me more important than her job? No. She would never walk away. And she agreed to speak with me. Tonight.

I don’t bother closing my office door and wait as the phone rings.

A ring tone plays at her desk. It’s The Scientist, by Coldplay. Is that what she assigned me?

Chills cross my flesh. I step out, and on her desk I see a mobile set beside her laptop. All of her work devices turned in as if she did indeed resign.

Peltz steps out of his office, his gaze on the ringing mobile.

“Did she leave her phone and computer here?”

“She left everything on my desk before I arrived this morning. Graeme is sending someone up to gather everything and prepare it for the next employee. I might promote from within. Have you had any interaction with an assistant you believe should be considered?”

I don’t bother answering him.

Something is very wrong.

Chapter27

Tristan

My fingers hover over the keyboard. Breathe.

First things first. Uncover what happened.

I glance at the closed office door. I basically shut it in Peltz’s face, but won’t stand outside listening to me. Or would he?

Is he in on this? I’d determined he wasn’t. There’s no trail.

Was his reaction to Lucia resigning genuine? Rumpled hair. Stained clothes. My gut tells me yes.

And if I’m wrong, and he’s in on it, then letting him figure out he’s got an Interpol officer on his trail might trip him up.

But I’m jumping ahead of myself. I’m assuming she’s missing because of this case. What if it has nothing to do with the case? What if she genuinely panicked about the pregnancy, didn’t want to see me again, and resigned? Would she do that? It’s illogical.

But hormones and all. What do I know about pregnant women? I was bloody horrible to her yesterday.

I push away the keyboard and dial Penny.

“Hello dear.” The sound of keys clicking continues, letting me know I’m probably on speaker and she assumes this will be a quick call.

“Penny. I have a situation.”

“Oh.” The clicking stops. “Do you need Nigel?”

“Not yet. I need to access any available street camera footage on streets surrounding the Lumina headquarters. Also, can you check to see if we have any video on any street between Lumina and Lucia Oliveira’s address?”

“What are we looking for?”

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