Page 75 of Tough as Steele

“Do you remember the last time you did see her?”

“Sure. I don’t know the date, but it was the day before she was arrested and went to prison.”

“So you never visited her in prison?”

Helen shook her head vigorously, and her curls bobbed. “I could never get up the nerve to go there.”

Londyn slid forward on the couch. “How do you know Jessica?”

“Childhood friend, but we grew apart when she went to prison.” Helen tipped her head. “Has something happened to her?”

“We’re unsure,” Nate said.

“But you’re looking for her?”

“We need to talk to her regarding an investigation we’re conducting,” Londyn said.

“Last I knew, she’s working as an assistant to a rich lady, and I only know that because I saw it on Facebook.” Helen shook her head. “How she got that job after doing time, I don’t know.”

Nate shifted his feet, drawing Helen’s attention. “You’re sure you haven’t seen her or talked to her?”

“Neither one.”

He planted a hand on his sidearm. “Then you wouldn’t mind if we looked around your place and checked your phone.”

“Knock yourself out.” She pulled her phone from her jeans pocket.

“I’ll take it.” Londyn held out her hand and asked for the password.

Helen laid the device on Londyn’s hand and provided the information, then looked back at Nate. “Only one bedroom, and don’t judge me for not making my bed.” She winked at him.

He didn’t acknowledge her flirty behavior, but as Londyn started reviewing the phone, he headed to the bedroom.

As Helen had said, her bed was unmade, but the rest of the room was tidy. He looked under the bed, then pulled open the closet door. She’d grouped all of her clothing by color. His military mindset admired her neatness, but he didn’t find any sign of Jessica or of her having been there.

He entered the only bathroom, looking for multiples of grooming products that might suggest a second person had stayed in the apartment, but found no duplicates. He checked behind the shower curtain, catching a hint of coconut but nothing else, before returning to the living room.

Londyn gave the phone back to Helen. By the look on her face, she hadn’t found anything either.

Helen took her cell but was silently peering up at him.

“I’d like you to give Jessica a call to see if you can find out what she’s up to.” He glanced at Londyn to be sure she was okay with making the call to Jessica, and she gave a slight nod. He looked at Helen again.

Her eyes narrowed. “I don’t have her number.”

“We can give it to you,” Londyn said.

Helen took a long breath and let it out slowly. “Don’t you think she’ll be suspicious of me calling after all these years?”

“You can tell her you saw the status about her job on Facebook,” Londyn said. “And wanted to find out how to get a similar job for yourself.”

Helen scratched her neck. “Okay, that should work.”

“Please put the call on speaker,” Londyn said and read the phone number.

Helen tapped her screen and held the phone out. It rang three times, and Nate expected it to go to voicemail, but the call connected.

“No! No! Stop, no!” A female voice high with terror came through the phone.

---