Page 17 of Tough as Steele

She was right about that. “For two million dollars, I’m sure you could get help.”

“That’s ridiculous.” She lifted her chin. “The other detective didn’t ask these questions.”

“I’m sure she would’ve gotten around to it if I hadn’t interrupted.”

“I’ve told you and Detective Steele everything I know, and I’m going to bed. If you need to ask more questions, we can meet after eight in the morning.” She spun and headed for the door.

He had to give her credit for her determination. Took a lot of nerve to stand up to a detective. But his frustration took top billing.

“Don’t leave town,” he called after her. “And we’ll need to get your fingerprints and DNA.”

She stopped and shot him a baleful look over her shoulder. “You really think I did this?”

“We need them for elimination purposes,” he said, watching for her reaction.

“When and where do I do it?”

“Our criminalists will come see you when they arrive. Should be any moment now.”

She sighed, but the irritation remained, clouding her eyes. “I’ll wait in the small sitting room by Mimi’s library.”

He locked gazes with her. “Be sure that you do.”

She whipped her head back around and bolted from the room, those spiky heels clicking like the sound of machine gun fire.

He blew out a breath. He shouldn’t let her decide where she was going to wait, but by now, if she planned to conceal or change anything, she would’ve done so already. He just didn’t have the manpower to restrict people to certain areas except for keeping them out of this room, and even then, she’d ignored his tape and marched right in.

He went to Mimi’s large walk-in closet. Nothing had been disturbed. Her suits, slacks, and blouses all hung in order of their colors, perfectly spaced apart. Her shoes filled racks on shelves as long as his bedroom wall. He’d recently bought a fixer-upper in a good neighborhood in Tigard, a suburb of Portland. A house he’d spent little time in so far. Each night when he hauled his tired body inside near ten or eleven o’clock, he wondered what he’d been thinking in buying the place. He’d only had enough time to change a few items to suit his needs.

Even if he had the time, there was the issue of money. On his salary, he couldn’t afford to hire out the work. He’d either have to live with the outdated design or sell the house. Problem was, he could only afford a fixer upper. If he sold his place, he would be going back to a multiunit housing situation. That was not something he ever wanted to do again. He was over having noisy neighbors. Maybe he wasn’t supposed to buy the place. Maybe God was teaching him one of those lessons that ultimately made you stronger.

He exited the closet. He was peering around the space again when he heard voices in the foyer. He left the bedroom to investigate and found the forensic team heading toward the steps. Two male criminalists started up the stairs. The tallest man Nate knew as Randy had an eager expression, but the other guy looked put out at being there. Or maybe he was irritated at having to wear a Steele Guardians’ uniform.

Nate waited at the top of the stairs for the men and led them into Mimi’s room.

Randy set his kit on the floor. “Any evidence of a break-in?”

Nate shook his head. “We haven’t figured out how she was removed from the building.”

Randy’s eyes narrowed. “Anything special you want us to focus on?”

“Pay extra attention to the top dresser drawer. Our suspect might have opened it to access Ms. Vandervoort’s handbag.”

“Will do.”

“But first, I have three women needing prints and DNA samples taken. I’ll take you to them.”

Randy raised his eyebrows. “Suspects?”

“Possibly, but it’s more of an elimination thing since they all work here.”

Randy looked at the second man and picked up his kit. “Start with scene photos, and I’ll be right back.”

Nate led the way, and they strode down the stairs side-by-side.

“How much of this house do you want processed?” Randy asked.

“Everything.”

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