Page 13 of Tough as Steele

“It’ll upset them even more if Mimi isn’t found or her abductors kill her.”

“True,” her mom said. “I know I was a little pushy earlier saying it would be great to have the contract. But as you said, that doesn’t matter right now. Just be sure your motive is pure while you work. That you’re thinking of Mimi. If that means stepping back, no matter how hard it is for you to do, that’s what you have to do.”

4

Nate gritted his teeth as he watched Clarice and Charles head across the foyer toward the tall double doors leading to the garden. They strode with purpose, though Clarice’s shoulders drooped under her shimmering white dress. She insisted on saying goodbye to each of their guests, displaying the same manners she’d taught him.

Nate needed to put away the lingering irritation after his altercation with Londyn and move on. He was mad at himself for getting so frustrated, but something about her got under his skin. Much like when he’d had poison ivy as a kid and his mom didn’t let him scratch the itch away. Londyn was an itch. An unrelenting one. He might’ve sent her off, but for some reason he wanted to scratch and find out what was below that gorgeous surface.

He’d only meant to warn her to stay in her lane and let him work in his. She seemed like a great person, and her tenacity probably made her a great detective. Her parents seemed nice too. But Nate had no room for such thoughts when he needed to pin his focus on the investigation.

“Grrr,” he said under his breath, thinking through a long list of things needing his attention.

All of the guests had to be questioned and released. Clarice would remain at the house for a potential ransom call. Charles would go to the office to begin the process of liquidating accounts so when banks opened, he would be ready.

Nate’s biggest fear was that Clarice would insist on paying the ransom right away, and that would put Mimi in danger. He couldn’t lose another person in his life. She was like a grandmother in a way. They weren’t terribly close, but close enough that losing her would hurt. And seeing Clarice losing her mother would hurt even more.

He worried a hangnail on his thumb until blood bubbled up. Bad habit he’d gained from stress during his homeless days after his mother died.

Mad at himself, he shoved his bleeding hand into his pocket and joined Zeke, whose gaze remained ever watchful. “Kidnapper said no police, so I can’t set up a perimeter with crime scene tape. Can you assign someone to keep any onlookers out until I can get wireless cameras in place outside?”

“Can do.”

“With such a private location and large lots in the pricey neighborhood, I doubt we’ll see anyone, but just in case.”

“I understand,” Zeke said. “You gotta protect evidence.”

Nate nodded. “What time did your men take their posts tonight?”

“Damon and I arrived at five to check the caterers in,” Zeke said, nodding at the guy next to him.

“I’m assuming they were all background checked,” Nate said.

“Yeah, long before the event. We also cordoned off the doorway to the house and back yard. Then we made sure the staff remained in the kitchen area until we opened the exterior door for wait staff.”

“None of the workers entered the main living areas?”

Zeke shook his head. “Ms. Vandervoort did a great job in planning this house to keep contracted staff confined to certain areas.”

Nate remembered Mimi telling Clarice that she’d had the house designed to host large parties, but since party crashers had ruined previous events, she had planned for that too. “And the other guards? When did they arrive?”

“Seven.”

Nate noted the information on a pad he’d gotten from Wendy. His years of SEAL training would fairly insure that he remembered the information, but whenever adrenaline was involved, like tonight, nothing was certain. “Will you please have your men direct guests to this door and the main garden gate to exit? I’ll need them to take names, phone numbers, and addresses. I’ll also give you a list of questions I want them to ask each person before they let them go. If there’s anything off, I’ll want to talk to the person.”

“Roger that.”

“Let me know if there are any problems. You can find me in Mimi’s office interviewing her staff.”

Nate crossed the foyer for about the millionth time, immune to the ostentatious display of wealth. All the time he’d spent there, and he didn’t have a lead as to Mimi’s location. He would likely cross it a million more times before he brought her home safely.

And hewouldbring her home safely.

With God’s help.

He offered a prayer as he followed the hallway that led to the servants’ wing. Mimi’s cook, housekeeper, chauffeur, and assistant all lived in the house. He’d asked Wendy to tell them to wait in their rooms for him.

He knocked on the assistant’s door, the sound echoing down the long hallway. No answer.

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