Page 8 of Tough as Steele

She stepped free and looked at Londyn. “If your departments okayed it, would you work with Nate?”

She nodded. “If our departments okayed it.”

Nate had to admire her answer. She knew the odds were high that they wouldn’t approve a joint task force. Not only the jurisdiction thing, but because she had a personal connection. He would have a hard enough time not getting bumped from the investigation himself. The both of them wouldn’t succeed.

He faced Clarice. “I was hoping you might have an idea of who would’ve taken Mimi.”

She shook her head. “No idea. None.”

“Do either of you have the combination or key for her safe?” Londyn asked.

“I don’t,” Clarice said.

“Me either,” Charles said, “but I have thoughts about who would abduct her. We have a few issues at work right now, and she made some contractors angry.”

Nate got out his notepad and pen and handed them to Charles. “Jot their names and companies down for me.”

Nate would normally have had Charles tell him, but he didn’t want the information shared with Londyn and the man standing next to her. Nate put the guy in his early sixties with a thick head of brown hair and eyes that resembled Londyn’s. Had to be her dad, who Nate knew was a former law enforcement officer. Even if he didn’t know it, he would suspect it by the way the man carried himself. He held out his hand and introduced himself.

“Gene Steele,” he said, his tone sure and confident.

“Glad to meet you.”

Gene let go and smiled lovingly at the woman next to him. “And this is my wife, Iris.”

She held out her hand too and gave Nate a very firm shake. Maybe firmer than Gene’s. Seemed like Londyn might resemble her father but got her resolve from her mother.

Charles returned the pen and pad. “I’ll keep thinking about others who might have a grievance against Mimi. I told Detective Steele I would start liquidating accounts at the business to pay the ransom, but she said if we fork over the money, the kidnapper doesn’t have reason to keep Mimi alive.”

“Detective Steele’s right.” Nate hoped she hadn’t offered any incorrect information. Calling her out in front of her family and potential business clients to correct her comments wouldn’t go over well.

“Then I’ll free up the money but sit tight and wait for your instructions,” Charles said.

“Thanks.” Nate smiled at the man, who had never been as warm and welcoming as Clarice. Especially not at their first meeting, when Nate had landed on their doorstep in the middle of the night.

Could be because Nate had possessed quite the attitude at that time. He’d blamed himself for his mom’s death for a long time, and he’d taken it out on others. Big time. Clarice didn’t care. No matter what Nate dished out, she just loved him. She was the reason he’d made a success of himself and had come to faith. She was the reason he’d learned to forgive himself.

“I can’t figure out how the intruder got into the house and took Mimi,” Clarice said.

“Anyone have thoughts on that?” Nate asked the group.

Charles shook his head. “Wendy knows this place better than any of us do.”

“Then she’ll be next on my list to interview after Londyn.” He turned to her. “We can talk, and then you can go.”

Londyn’s full lips turned down. “My parents rode with me so they’ll have to be cleared to leave as well.”

“Just give me their contact details, and they’re free to go whenever you are.”

She gave a firm nod. “Then let’s get to it.”

“We can use the same room you commandeered to interview Wendy.” He tried to keep his frustration to himself, but it came out in his tone.

She took a step back, the high heels she now wore accenting already long and shapely legs.

He dragged his gaze free to look at her parents. “You’ve raised a very determined daughter.”

“And proud of it.” Her dad grinned.

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