Page 12 of Tough as Steele

“Thank you.”

Londyn was thankful that neither of her parents had the lack of courtesy to ask about the security contract when it had to be weighing heavily on them.

Londyn faced Charles. “Would you mind sharing those names you gave to Nate earlier?”

She heard a sharp intake of air from Nate, but he didn’t protest.

Charles smiled. “Of course not.”

From her clutch, she got out a small notepad and pen and handed them to him.

“Are you going to be working together then?” Clarice asked.

“No,” she and Nate said at the same time.

Nate shifted his focus to Clarice. “Nothing has changed.”

She shook her head but bit her lip as if she wanted to speak and thought better of it. Or maybe she was just so worried about Mimi that she was trying not to cry.

“Here you go.” Charles handed the pad back. “Let me know if I can help in any other way.”

“Thank you.” Londyn placed the notepad back in her evening bag. She’d just planned to shove things in her pockets like she often did at work, but her mother said it would ruin the line of her suit. Her mother was right again, but it was annoying to haul around a little bag without a handle.

Londyn looked at Clarice. “Thank you for your hospitality, and I’m so sorry about all of this.”

Clarice squeezed Londyn’s arm. “I know it’s not your company’s fault. We’ll find her.”

Londyn patted her hand and hoped the woman was right. Because if they didn’t locate Mimi soon, she might not come back to them alive. Londyn would never be able to forgive herself for failing someone who was counting on their company to protect her.

“I’ll walk you out,” Nate said, his tone insistent.

She gestured for her parents to go first then followed at a distance, as it seemed like Nate was dying to say something to her.

At the door he took her arm and held her back.

“I don’t mind that you asked Charles for those names, but I don’t want you interviewing them before I do.”

“I can’t promise that,” she said honestly.

“Don’t get in my way, Steele.” He locked gazes with her. “I might understand your need to work this investigation, but I can only be understanding for so long. And trust me when I say that I have reached the end of my patience tonight.”

Londyn had no comeback, so she stepped into the night. A brisk wind raced across the front yard, cooling the heat that her disagreement with Nate had brought to the surface. She tugged her jacket closed and hurried to her car. Her mom sat in the front, and her dad was bending in to kiss her. He was one of the most considerate men Londyn knew, and he set such a fine example that it made it hard to find a life partner with even half of his qualities.

He was brave and willing to rush into danger when others fled. He was compassionate and caring. An encourager and a man who lived his faith. And yet he could make sure even the most awful criminals were held to account for their crimes.

“Let me know if you learn anything when you help Nate out,” she said to her dad over the roof of the car as she opened the driver’s door.

“Sure thing, peanut.”

She was glad Nate wasn’t nearby to hear her nickname.

“So what are you going to do?” her mother asked. “Listen to the detective or investigate?”

“No question. I’ll drop you guys off and then head into the office to see what I can dig up on the list of suspects Charles gave us.”

“That’s my girl.” Her dad grinned over the vehicle.

Her mom swiveled. “You sure you should do that? Clarice seems quite close to Nate, and I would hate to upset them.”

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