Page 10 of Tough as Steele

“Mine is family too. I won’t be the reason my family loses a business that my dad and uncle worked so hard to build.”

He didn’t have time to waste arguing. “I can tell I can’t convince you to back down, so please use common sense in what you do. I don’t want to get Mimi killed.”

She arched an eyebrow, her breathing coming hard again. “I would never cause that to happen. You can be assured of that.”

She was a feisty thing, and he had to admit he liked it. A lot. Too much for his own good. He gestured at a plush yellow chair in the foyer. “Have a seat and tell me what you’ve learned that I don’t already know.”

She remained standing, eyeing him as if she was ready to tell him to take a hike. With her arms crossed, she concisely detailed her movements and even her interview with Wendy. He took notes. Not that he wouldn’t interview Wendy himself, but not until after he personally escorted Detective Steele out of the building.

When she finished, she lifted her chin in a challenge as if daring him to ask questions. “Is that all, Detective Ryder?”

“It’s Nate. Just Nate.”

“Okay, Nate.” His name sounded almost like a curse on her breath, and she clearly thought of him that way.

“I’ll also need the names and contact information for your staff on duty tonight.” He held her gaze. “Especially the two guys you sent to search the house.”

A flash of surprise lit her face, but she quickly extinguished it. “You know about that, huh?”

“Not much escapes my attention.”

“They didn’t find a sign of her.”

“Then either your guards are corrupt or someone knows a lot more about this house than we do.”

She arched her back like a cat ready to spit. “My guards have all been vetted and are very loyal to our company.”

“Likely so, but you can’t know one hundred percent that they aren’t on the take.”

“Fine. It’s a possibility, and I can assure you we will do a deep dive on each one before the night is over.” She lowered her shoulders. “I know you’re going to escort me to the door from here, but will you grant me one favor before I go?”

“Depends.”

“Can you check to see if they took Mimi’s heart medicine from her bedside drawer or took her purse? I’d feel better if I knew that wasn’t an issue.”

“I can do that.” He appreciated her consideration and offered her what he’d been told was his most endearing smile.

“Wendy said Mimi keeps her purse in her top dresser drawer.” She returned the smile, but it was forced.

He wasn’t used to having a woman not fully respond to his smile. Clarice had told him over and over again that he had a very charming smile. Her comment was partially based on her love for him, but as he got older, he’d learned how to embrace it in his work. But Londyn wasn’t a suspect. She was a detective and probably had her own methods of dealing with others. Like the lifted chin and shoulders. Brought back that intimidating vibe, when in fact, he wished for the return of the enticing woman he’d first laid eyes on, even if that womandidleave him off center.

He held out his hand. “After you.”

She didn’t waste a second but took long strides toward the stairs, her legs looking toned and tan above the sky-high heels that glittered with each step.

At the stairwell, he took her arm before she started up. “Hold on. You can stay here, and I’ll go check on the meds.”

She fired him a testy look.

“You can join us in house arrest.” The older of the two men standing by the door gave Nate a snarky look.

“They’re not under arrest,” Nate stated, trying to control his irritation. “In fact, I was doing them a favor to let them wait to talk to you before I asked them to leave if they’re not needed at any of the exits.”

She didn’t react to his statement at all. Just stared at her guys. The younger guy had former military written all over him as Nate had determined in their first encounter at Mimi’s bedroom door. Nate felt bad about pushing the guy around when he was only doing his job, so Nate gave him a quick nod of acknowledgment. Subtle. Barely there, but he hoped it said, I see you, brother. The guy dipped his head just as subtly.

The other guard, the one who’d spoken, read more like a former police officer. Nate couldn’t describe the difference, but there was one.

“I’ll join them, then,” she said, as if she had a choice in the matter.

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