Page 11 of Tough as Steele

“I’ll be right back.” Nate headed up the stairs. He expected to hear her heels clicking across the marble tiled floor, but felt her eyes burning into his back instead.

He should be frustrated with her, but heaven help him, he wanted to turn around and ask her to work with him, even if it wasn’t a possibility.

Londyn remained in place and followed Nate with her gaze, watching his fluid movements as he climbed the stairway. She’d always admired guys who dressed neatly, and Nate’s military days were evident in his pressed clothing. He wore jeans in a deep navy color and added a crisp white collared shirt under a chocolate suede blazer that deepened the darkness of his eyes. His solid footfalls in his suede boots echoed in the two-story foyer.

Stop. Just stop. Focus.

She crossed the rest of the foyer and joined the guys. “Find anything in your search of the rooms?”

They shook their heads.

“But I did hear the detective talking to his lieutenant,” Damon said.

“Did he say anything that would be helpful?”

“One thing.” Damon moved closer. “His supervisor must’ve asked why Ryder was at this party. He said that he was someone’s plus one, but Wendy said Mimi thought of him like one of the family.”

“Glad you picked up on that.” It might be something she could use for leverage if she needed to. Not that she would ever go to Nate’s LT and report him even if she said she might earlier on. But if she needed something from Nate, she might be able to convince him that she would. Though, come to think of it, she didn’t want him to think she was something she wasn’t, so if it came time to use it, she would probably opt not to.

“He must not have wanted to get pulled from the investigation,” Zeke said, a logical conclusion from a former cop.

“I can understand that. Can you make a list of all of our staff here tonight and include their contract information for the detective?”

“Sure thing. You want it fast or to take some time?”

“Fast. I might not like that I can’t officially investigate Mimi’s disappearance, but I don’t want to impede his work. Email the list to me too.” She heard steps on the stairs and looked up at the landing. She didn’t like the tight expression on Nate’s face. He had a wide jaw, and he had it clenched, working the muscles along his jawline.

He jogged down and stopped near the three of them. “Medicine’s in the drawer.”

“And her purse?”

“Wasn’t there. We have to hope she has it with her. Unfortunately, her phone was with the medicine.”

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll escort you out.” His tone was resolute.

She’d pushed things as far as she could with him. Probably further than most people would have been able to because he understood her personal connection to the case. But she didn’t want to leave the scene under-protected.

“This is Zeke, our security manager.” She jerked a thumb at Zeke. “He’ll need to stay as long as we have staff on the premises. And we’ll have staff here until you don’t need them.”

“Thank you.” He let out a long breath.

Had she been so surly that he thought she might jeopardize the investigation by pulling her guards? Seemed like it.

She turned to Zeke. “You good with that?”

“Of course,” he said.

She nodded at her parents, who were crossing the foyer toward them with Clarice and Charles. Clarice’s eyes were puffy and red from crying, and Londyn felt even worse for failing her. How awful to have your mother kidnapped. It would break Londyn’s heart and spirit if anything ever happened to either of her parents. After losing Thomas, she was well aware of the aching pain that never went away. At times, it was still as visceral as the knife wounds that had killed her brother.

Clarice linked her arm with Nate’s and looked up at him. “Did you find anything?”

He shook his head. “But it does look like they took her purse, so she’ll have her meds.”

“Oh good. Good.” Clarice sighed.

“I’m sorry about Mimi, but we’ll find her.” Londyn’s father shook hands with Charles.

Her mother gave Clarice a hug. “We’ll be praying for Mimi and you.”

---