Page 20 of Tough as Steele

She sighed and planted a hand on her hip. “I’m just one of those people who needs their sleep, no matter what, or they’re worthless.”

“But you don’t mind me waking you up if I need anything else?”

She pinched her lips together in a sour pucker. “If you must.”

“See,” he said. “That’s exactly why I don’t think you care about Mimi being gone.”

She shook her head and brushed past him. He stepped into the hall and came up short. His lieutenant, Kirk Bishop, stood in the foyer. He locked his intense focus on Nate and marched toward him.

“A word,” he said. “In private.”

Nate turned back to the office and led the way inside. He faced Bishop with as much confidence as his boss possessed. After Nate’s years as a SEAL, a visit from a supervisor didn’t faze him.

Bishop closed the door just as Londyn’s dad walked by. Now that the forensic staff and all the equipment had been brought in, Nate needed to tell Gene to take off. He appreciated the man’s help, but Nate didn’t want him reporting everything to Londyn about what was going on at the house.

Bishop turned from the door. “Since time is of the essence here, I’ll come straight to the point. You’ll be partnering with PPB on this investigation.”

“No way!” Nate rarely exploded, but that statement had brought the words from his mouth like one of the shaped charges they used in the military to breach doors.

“Mimi’s daughter called the chief deputy and pledged a million dollars to our programs if you paired up with a Detective Steele on this investigation.”

Nate shook his head, maybe trying to force the idea out of his brain. He couldn’t be saddled with another detective, especially one who made him lose his focus, which was usually rock solid.

“I don’t like people going over my head any more than you do.” Bishop narrowed his gaze. “But it shouldn’t be a problem, right?”

Nate wasn’t going to blow up a big contribution like that. Any contribution, considering that donations to their special programs was down. And if he complained, Bishop would take Nate off the case and give the lead to a different detective.

Besides, he and Londyn had a shared sense of purpose. He just needed to be sure she knew what her role was in achieving their goal of bringing Mimi home.

“Not a problem,” Nate said. “You came all the way out here to tell me that?”

“Your investigation is on the chief’s radar now, and I wanted to personally convey how important it is to work quickly to bring this woman home.”

Nate nodded, though nothing Bishop would say would make Nate work quicker. He already had a sense of urgency.

“I’ll want frequent updates,” Bishop said. “We’ll start with one now. Then you report in a couple of times a day until this woman is home.”

“Yes, sir.” Nate worked hard to hide his irritation at wasting valuable time in reporting when he could be chasing down leads.

“Anything you need, let me know, and whatever you do, don’t irritate Detective Steele. The last thing I need is for the chief to hear about it from PPB’s captain and bring his wrath down on me.”

Great.Nate not only had to share his investigation, but he had to play nice too. He was a fair guy, but had been told he was uncompromising. He set his standards as high for this job as he had been held to as a SEAL.

“I know the pressure this will bring. I’ll do my best.” Nate could promise no more than that. Not when Londyn already proved she could get under his skin.

Bishop perched on the edge of the desk. “So that update.”

Nate brought Bishop up to speed, including maps he’d drawn of the most likely exits from the home. “Honestly I don’t have much to go on yet. After I get forensics headed in the right direction, I’ll do a deep dive on Mimi’s assistant. Something about her has me on alert.”

“You don’t find Mimi tonight, and I’ll expect my first update at eight sharp.” He snapped to his feet and marched away.

Nate didn’t want to disappoint his supervisor, but no one said he had to bring Londyn in right away. He would wait until she called him.

Mind made up, he hurried to the foyer and took the steps up to the second story. The criminalists had moved into the hallway.

“Got that map for you, Randy.” Nate held out the map.

Randy stared at the paper. “Plain as day, but we’ll be here all night.”

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