Page 7 of Tough as Steele

Londyn expected a flood of embarrassment over Clarice’s comment, but Charles didn’t color or even take on a sheepish look. If anything, he looked angry that Clarice had called him to task.

“Would you join me in praying for Mimi?” Londyn’s father held out his hands.

They formed a circle, and he offered an eloquent prayer. Even after Thomas died, her parents had stayed strong in their faith. Sure, they were hurting. Deeply. But the tragedy had caused them to turn even closer to God. Not so for Londyn. She hadn’t completely walked away, but she had one foot firmly out the door.

Her dad said amen and squeezed her hand. She opened her eyes and was surprised to find tears threatening to break free. She blinked them away. Emotions had plagued her this past year, but she’d always managed to keep it together at work, and Clarice needed Londyn to remain strong right now.

“How do we proceed in getting her back?” Charles asked.

Londyn swallowed away the lump in her throat. “We begin with questioning everyone here. I’ve already interviewed Wendy. She doesn’t know who would’ve taken Mimi or how they got her out of the house without anyone seeing them.”

Clarice gnawed on her lip but held Londyn’s gaze. “I really don’t know a lot about this house or how they would do it. My mother built the place only a few years ago. Her retirement home that she wanted to splurge on before she no longer had a large salary. I’ve been here many times, but I haven’t gone upstairs very often.”

Londyn transferred her focus to Charles. “And you?”

He grimaced. “Been here for a few parties. Otherwise I steer clear of the place.”

“Is there a reason?”

He glanced at Clarice.

“Go ahead,” she said. “I don’t mind.”

“Things are kind of stressed with Mimi and me. She doesn’t approve of me. Never has. Thinks I married Clarice for her money.” He stated it all so matter-of-factly that Londyn wondered if he even cared.

“I should’ve worked harder to make her understand that it’s not about the money. But now…” A sob slipped from Clarice’s mouth. “I love her so much, but I haven’t visited as I should have. If something’s happened to her…” Tears rolled down Clarice’s cheeks, and she clapped a hand over her mouth.

Charles put an arm around his wife’s shoulders. “Don’t you worry, sweetheart. The company has plenty of money to pay that ransom, but it’s not all readily available. I’ll get the liquidating process started.”

Londyn didn’t want to have to say this, but she couldn’t leave them with false ideas. “We don’t like to pay out a ransom. Paid ransoms often lead to the abductee being murdered.”

“Oh no.” Clarice shot a terrified look at Londyn.

“I’m sorry. But I need to be upfront with you.”

“Sounds like you’re well versed in this.” Charles met Londyn’s gaze. “Will you be handling the investigation?”

“No!” Ryder’s voice came from behind her. “Mimi’s house is inmyjurisdiction. Detective Steele won’t be working the investigation.”

The iron in his tone sent a shiver up her back. He clearly wasn’t a guy to cross, and she’d already made him mad. Very mad. So much for a chance at working together to locate Mimi.

3

Clarice clutched Nate’s arm, and he inhaled the floral scent of her Chanel No. 5. She’d worn this fragrance for as long as he’d known her. She might have money and pricey perfume, but she looked up at him, longing for a hug. Could he do so while in public and on the job? The last thing he wanted to do was breach the personal/work barrier in front of strangers, especially in front of Detective Steele, who seemed to be memorizing everything around her as if her life depended on it. Well, too bad. He would return the comfort that Clarice had given him for so many years. No matter the consequences.

He tucked the box of gloves and booties he’d gotten from his truck under his arm and circled his arm around her shoulders. She started to cry.Aw, no.His heart shredded. Clarice had become his surrogate mother when he was left homeless after his own mother died a week before his sixteenth birthday.

He fished a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to her. She took it and dabbed at her eyes. Thankfully, he always carried one. Unfortunately, the news he often brought made people cry, and Clarice had taught him to always be prepared. His parents had taught him manners in his younger years, but Clarice and Mimi had further refined them to include carrying a handkerchief.

“Don’t cry,” he whispered. “I’ll find Mimi. I promise.”

She lowered her hand and leaned back. “Why can’t you partner with Londyn on this?”

“We work for different departments.”

“But it seems to me that having you both looking for Mother would be a good thing.”

“Sorry,” he said, and wondered if he really was. “It’s a jurisdiction thing.”

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