Page 17 of Closer Than You Know

He nodded slowly, as if uncertain of whom she spoke.

For the first time since she left Fayetteville, Vera hoped like hell her sister knew what she was talking about.

“Nolan ...?” he prompted.

“Nolan Baker. A reporter in Fayetteville. Tennessee,” she tacked on, though he hopefully was aware.

No response. Closed reaction.

“He disappeared last night. We have reason to believe he was taken by a serial kidnapper.”

Liam Remington’s face went deathly pale, and he sank into the elegant leather chair behind his desk. Okay, good. Eve was right.

“Oh my God. Are you certain? What are the police doing?” He put a hand to his chest. “I’m certain his parents are—”

“Beside themselves,” Vera finished for him. “The police are doing all possible. I’m a consultant working with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department. I have a few questions, if you’re amenable.”

“Of course. Anything.” He touched his forehead. “Sorry. Please have a seat.”

Vera sank into one of the two plush chairs in front of his desk. The worry on his face, the fear in his eyes further confirmed that Eve had judged the relationship accurately. This man cared deeply for Nolan.

She kicked off the conversation with “Are you aware of anything in particular that Nolan was working on recently?”

“This Time Thief series of abductions,” Liam said, as Vera had expected. “He was keen to learn what the police had not. But he didn’t discuss specifics with me.”

Typical reporter. They always thought they could do a better job of investigating any given case than the police.

“Did you hear from him at all yesterday?”

Liam hesitated. “Is there some reason why you were sent to speak with me, rather than someone from the sheriff’s department?”

“No one in the department knows about you, Liam. I have other sources; that’s how I was able to find you.”

Recognition flared in his expression. “I know who you are. You’re the cop from Memphis—the one who had bodies hidden on her family farm.”

Great. “That’s me. I’m sure Nolan had plenty to say about me.”

They stared at each other for a moment. Vera wondered if pushing harder would be necessary, or if the man was just recalling whatever Nolan had told him about the Boyett sisters.

“Our relationship,” he said quietly, “mine and Nolan’s—”

“I understand,” Vera assured him. “I’m not here about your relationship. I’m here to learn anything I can that might help us find Nolan. So, did you speak to him yesterday?”

“Yes.”

“Did he mention a late-night meeting with a contact related to his investigation of the Time Thief case?”

“No. He only said that he had plans with his family and that he would call me this morning, but he hasn’t.” The worry reappeared. “I’ve tried him twice. No answer.”

“You’re certain he’s said nothing to you about any case—old or new—that he’s looking into besides that one?”

“Nothing. We ... don’t typically talk about work.” Some realization had him hesitating. “But he mentioned recently that he still had thoughts on the case that involved that cave on your farm. Is that why you’re here, Vera?”

Smart man. “No. As I said, I’m working with the sheriff’s department to help solve this case and Nolan’s abduction. Anything you can tell us about Nolan’s frame of mind recently could be useful.” She paused a moment. “Frankly, I’m worried that he may have been digginginto the case and stumbled upon something that got him into trouble. The sooner we find him, the less likely he is to ... well, you know.”

A new surge of fear tightened his features. “His frame of mind has been normal—no change at all that I’ve noticed.” Liam looked away a moment. “That said, he really wants to break out. I feel confident he would take any and all risks to make that happen. But I am unaware of any steps he has taken or contacts he’s made in this thing that’s going on right now.”

“Thank you.” Vera stood. Reached into her bag and removed a business card. “Please, call me if you hear from Nolan or think of anything that might help us find him.” She placed the card on his desk.

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