Page 82 of Courting Gossip (Courting)
Genieve let out a shaky breath. ‘Thank you, I—’
A horn sounded just outside in the driveway, and it made her jump. She went to the window and saw her way out. ‘My cab is here. I need to go.’
‘I’m sorry, Genieve. Take care of yourself. Call me when you’re ready to talk.’
‘I will. Thank you.’ She tossed the phone aside and rolled her bag out the front door. She locked it behind her and looked over the house she’d almost come to consider a home. ‘Goodbye.’
* * *
Brody didn’t make it home until late afternoon, but he hadn’t been willing to leave the office until he was certain he had everything locked up and bolted down. The lawyer he’d secured for Maggie Harris understood his job. He was to muzzle her. The man had already stopped any additional questioning by Detective Morgan and the Metro PD. If the case went to court, she’d never take the stand. He didn’t know how much the woman knew, but he didn’t want to take any chances.
Her jealousy of the senator’s relationship was enough. He’d let that play in the press. The public would eat up the latest twist in the story like candy.
The Senate was already abuzz with the gossip. Apparently Morgan had arrested her on Capitol grounds. Brody had nearly had an aneurysm when he heard that, but in the end he liked the poetry of it. It put a nice cap on the whole Gunderson scandal. A few more days, and everyone might be able to walk away from the whole thing.
Everyone except Miss Maggie. She’d done the crime. She was going to get a top-notch defence, but she’d do the time.
He pulled off his tie and undid his collar. He hit the garage-door controls and walked into the laundry room. They were almost there. It was almost over.
‘Jenny?’ he called.
The house loomed silent as he entered the living room. The space seemed open and empty. He frowned. Usually when he walked in, he was hit with a blast of energy and sound. Was she taking a nap? He glanced into the guest bedroom as he passed and was happy to see she’d chosen his bed instead.
Only she wasn’t there. The bed was rumpled as if someone had sat upon it, but the sheets were tucked and the throw pillows were in place. He tossed his tie and jacket onto the bed and went in search of her.
Maybe she had headphones on? Only she wasn’t on the computer…and when he went upstairs to the man cave, she wasn’t watching a movie or playing video games…Worry prickled between his shoulder blades. He looked out into the back yard. Had she snuck outside to do more gardening?
‘Jenny!’ he called more loudly.
When he got no response, the nip of worry turned into a bite. He made a quick trip to the basement to check the gym and the shower. It was dry as a bone, and no Zumba music played. He began looking in every room and every corner in case she’d fallen or hurt herself. Yet when he saw the open closet door in the guest room, an empty spot made him ache. Her suitcase was missing.
‘No.’ She couldn’t have left. Not now.
He hurried to the master bedroom and tore open the closet. Clothes had been rumpled, and all of hers were missing. Her shoes, her dresses…He checked the dresser. All her skimpy lingerie…
She was gone.
He dragged a hand through his hair and turned in a circle. What had happened? Why had she left? She’d kissed him this morning when he’d gone out the door. She’d kissed him like a bonfire, all hot and crackling.
‘No,’ he repeated. He planted his hands on his hips and lowered his chin. Something had made her leave. He needed to find out what. Had something scared her into running?
He blew out a breath and pulled out his phone. He dialled her number, and his chin snapped up when he heard it ringing. He followed the sound out to the living room where he found the cheap temporary one he’d given her, lying on the floor.
His stomach bottomed out, and he grabbed the phone. She wouldn’t have left it behind, would she? He hurriedly pulled up her call history. Maybe there was a clue in there. Had somebody called her? Had she tried to call him, and he’d missed it? His forehead rumpled. Nina…and the detective…
‘And a cab,’ he growled. The knot in his stomach turned cold.
What had those two told her? What had Nina put into her head? He tossed the phone onto the coffee table and used his own to dial the Luxxor CEO. He let out a curse when the call rolled over and her assistant answered instead. ‘Where’s Nina?’ he snapped.
‘Oh, hi, Brody,’ Rielle said. ‘We just got back from a late lunch. She and the detective are looking into something pretty important right now. Could I have her call you back?’
‘It’s about Genieve,’ he said flatly. ‘Put me through.’
‘Is everything all right?’
He looked around his empty house. No, things were definitely not all right. ‘It will be, if I can talk to Nina.’
She finally caught on to his urgency. ‘One moment, please.’
