Page 49 of Phoenix Rising

Trying to diffuse the tension, he said, “We’ve been asking around town about her. There is no pinpointing a suspect currently.”

“How did you know where to ask? Did you follow her cell records or credit card trail?”

“No cell records. She left her phone at home. We suspect she was using a burner and paid cash. All we had to go on was where she had been staying.”

“Aguas Tranquilas Resort and Spa,” Detective Beaumont said.

“Yes.”

“Had she checked out of her room?”

“No.” Reese would answer questions, but he wasn’t volunteering information.

She tapped her fingers on the table. “What about her belongings?”

“We took possession of them.”

“Why do I get the impression you’re still holding out on me?” Detective Beaumont questioned.

Reese lifted a shoulder. Maybe because he was, and she seemed like a competent investigator.

“Nothing in her suitcase gave you a clue about what she was working on?” the detective probed. “A computer? Tablet? Handwritten notes?”

“None of the above. We did find several flyers for classes and seminars around the city,” Reese admitted.

“Now we’re getting somewhere. What were they?”

“A yoga class, one on tapping into your inner child, and another on spiritual awareness.

She rolled her hand. “What else?”

“A hypnosis session.”

“We’ve also asked about her at several shops and cafes,” Audria added, probably to get Detective Beaumont to quit digging. “We’ve been showing her picture to everyone, too.”

“Can I see it?”

Reese scrolled to the photo and handed Detective Beaumont his phone. She studied it and gave it back. “How are you asking about her?”

“What do you mean?”

“Are you telling these people you question that she’s missing?”

“No, we’ve used variations of pretending to be a friend or relative. We’re telling people we were supposed to meet but lost touch. That kind of thing.”

“You obviously ran across someone who knows something.”

Reese sensed a snide remark on Audria’s lips, so he reached under the table and squeezed her leg. “It does seem that way.”

“What are you planning on doing now?” Detective Beaumont wanted to know.

“A couple of Audria’s coworkers are joining us today, and we will continue to search for clues.”

Detective Beaumont looked from Reese to Audria and back. He had a feeling her sharp mind missed little. “You aren’t going to give me anything else, are you?”

“We have nothing else to give.” Except a potential suspect. Man, coming into the interview Reese thought it would eat him up inside to go against his principles and withhold possibly crucial information. Surprisingly, it didn’t bother him at all.Huh.One more thing to file away and consider later.

“I have a case started, but I’m sure you know resources for a small department are scarce. Are you going to declare Paige Stockton as a missing person officially?”

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