Page 53 of Tough as Steele

Nate raised an eyebrow.

“Since I live alone, I gotta be careful.” Dolly clutched the hem of her housecoat. “Not trust anyone.”

“What’s the plate number?” Londyn asked.

The neighbor shared it and sipped on her mug. “Hope that helps.”

“It does, thank you.” Nate smiled at her, though it only confirmed the information they already had on Jessica’s vehicle. “We always appreciate when people pay attention to their surroundings.”

The woman raised her shoulders and preened at Nate. Her description of Jessica’s boyfriend was nothing like Gaskin, but Nate held out the guy’s driver’s license picture too. “This guy been around?”

“Him? Yeah. He came by a few times. Mostly at night.”

“Ever with the other guy or when the other guy was visiting Wendy?” Nate asked.

“Not that I saw.”

“Do you think she was the type to have two boyfriends?” Londyn asked.

“I mean, yeah, she was a player all right. Line ’em up. The more, the better.” Dolly laughed again.

“Is there anything else you think we should know about Wendy?” Nate asked.

“I heard some loud noises after she left but didn’t see anyone when I looked out.”

“Would you write down your contact information for me, Dolly, in case I need to talk to you again?” Nate handed her his pen and notepad.

“Sure thing, sweetie. I’m available for dates too.” She cackled again and scribbled down her information.

He took back the pad and pen then gave her a card. “Call me if you think of anything you think might help.” He paused and smiled at her. “And I’m not available for dates.”

She spit coffee from her mouth and coughed. “Good one, Detective. Real good one. Nice to see a cop with a sense of humor.”

“Thank you, ma’am,” Londyn said.

Nate turned and gestured for Londyn to go ahead of him.

“I can die and go to heaven now,” Dolly called out. “There is a gentleman left on the earth.”

Trying hard not to cringe, Nate headed to Jessica’s front door.

Londyn yawned, and Nate had to stifle one too. He’d been up for over twenty-four hours now, and they’d spent more than half of those hours searching for Mimi. Didn’t matter. One of the sayings he embraced from his time in the SEALS wasget comfortable being uncomfortable. He survived surf torture in his BUDs days. Gave him confidence to survive anything he faced in the future, including sleep deprivation.

Nate stepped up to the front door and found it unlocked. Dolly might’ve said Jessica had taken off, but he wouldn’t take any chances. He drew his sidearm and turned to Londyn. “Nice and easy. Don’t run to your death.”

She raised an eyebrow and looked at him.

“A SEAL saying,” he explained. “Once you breach and gain entry to a target, being slow and methodical often wins the race.”

“Right,” she said as if she planned to go slowly, but he had to be sure she remained safe.

He signaled for her to follow him as he stepped in.

“Police,” he yelled. “Anyone home?”

He held his location in the front room, which consisted of living and dining areas and a small kitchen that smelled like fried onions. Someone had yanked out drawers, tipped over furniture, and even pulled out items from the cabinets.

“Stay here and protect this entry,” he said, when he just wanted to say stay here. Part of him knew it was the right thing to do as he needed someone to have his back. The other part of him wanted her to remain in a safer location.

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