Page 15 of Tough as Steele

“Nothing out of the ordinary for one of Ms. Vandervoort’s parties.”

“Can you think of anything else that might help me find Mimi?”

“No. But be sure you check into Wendy. There’s just something odd about that woman.”

“I’ll do that.” Nate stood and handed Francis his card. “If you think of anything that might help, please let me know. Also, once our forensic techs arrive, I’ll be sending one of them to take your fingerprints and DNA.”

She clutched her white blouse, wrinkling the fabric in her hand. “My prints? DNA? Whatever for?”

“Just another formality so we can eliminate you as a suspect.”

“Oh, okay. That’ll be fine.”

“If you see Wendy, tell her I’m looking for her.”

“You can count on me, but she probably won’t listen to me.” Francis stood and smoothed her slacks.

“Would you send Georgia down here?”

“Sure. Sure. You’ll like her.” Francis spun and rushed out as if she feared he would chase her.

He interviewed Georgia, getting basically the same answers but with a little less force, and she didn’t even ask why he wanted her prints and DNA. Just a comment that she watched a lot of true crime stories on television and figured that would happen.

He needed to speak to Wendy, but she’d gone AWOL. He headed to the foyer, hoping the guard at the front door might know where she’d gone. He passed a line of guests, their voices raised as they speculated over the reason for all the questioning as they waited to leave.

Nate approached the guard, who looked to be in his mid-twenties with buzzed red hair and a face covered in freckles. His name tag read Patrick.

“Detective Nate Ryder.” Nate displayed his credentials. “Do you know Mimi’s assistant, Wendy?”

“The blond who likes to strut her stuff?” Patrick’s lips pressed into a tight slash.

Nate nodded. “Did she leave the house?”

Patrick widened his stance, his eyes narrowed. “I have instructions to detain any household or catering staff members who try to leave. So no. Not this way.”

Nate liked the guy’s firm control. “If she shows her face, tell her I’m looking for her.”

“Will do.”

Nate started for the stairway, giving the guests an apologetic look for being the reason they had to wait. He took the steps two at a time to the second floor, where Mimi’s flowery scent lingered. He’d only been in this house a few times and took in everything as he walked. He’d lived with Clarice from the time his mom died until he went to college, but hadn’t often come over to visit Mimi here. His fault. Totally. He’d let work get in the way of seeing Mimi or even Clarice as often as he should.

The three of them frequently talked on the phone and had lunch when he could get away, but not often enough for what he owed this family. He had to do better in the future. Stop letting work consume him. The abduction reminded him of how much they meant to him.

He put on booties from the box he’d dropped off by her bedroom door and ducked under the crime scene tape he’d strung across the threshold. The paper booties whispered over the gleaming wood floors. He slipped on latex gloves and turned the corner from the sitting area. He stood there, eyeing the room to get the feel for how Mimi’s abduction might have gone down. He usually took the time to envision the crime when he first arrived on a scene. Not tonight. Detective Steele had put him off his game.

He focused on the bed. Imagined Mimi all dressed up and resting after dinner like Wendy had told Londyn. An intruder coming through the window. Surprising her. He had to come in that way. It was the only thing that made sense. But why didn’t she scream? Was she asleep and the kidnapper had covered her mouth with their hand before she woke up?

Or maybe she chose not to scream. She was one tough woman. Moving on after losing her husband and running a small import company that she turned into a huge shipping corporation.

Or maybe she knew the intruder and had gone willingly. But how? Did they go out the window?

He crossed the room. Looked out the patio door onto her second floor deck. Potted plants sat in place, as did comfy chairs. Nothing disturbed. He checked the lock. Not jimmied, it was secure, as were the windows. If she had been taken from the room via windows, someone inside the house had locked them after her and her kidnapper. And just how would someone of Mimi’s age get down? Not a likely exit at all.

He stepped over to an armoire featuring ornate carved doors holding marks from years of use. An antique for sure. Knowing Mimi, an expensive piece.

He opened the right door, revealing a bank of drawers and releasing an even stronger floral scent. He’d never taken the time to ask her the flowers featured in her perfume, but now he wished he’d spent time asking about that and so many other things.

He tugged on the left door. It didn’t budge.Odd.He pulled harder, but the wood didn’t give even a fraction of an inch.

---