Secrets of the Rose. Lois Richer

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      By the time Shelby had completed the last of the files, the clock on her computer read 10:45. She’d checked in twice with Natalie. No call had come in regarding Aimee’s whereabouts, no ransom call had been made. No note had been delivered, no new evidence reported. Natalie sounded curt, as if she were holding back her temper when she said Russ had dropped by the house. So had Tim.

      In an odd way, Shelby understood Natalie’s frustration, knew exactly how she felt. They had all gone over and over the same things. If there had been some tiny clue to latch onto and ferret out, she could sink her teeth into it, bury herself in figuring it out. But there was nothing. Whoever had done this knew exactly what he was doing and had left no trace evidence, no witnesses to their silent departure, not even any footprints in the freshly turned soil below Aimee’s window. Natalie must be as frustrated as she.

      For Shelby there was no reason to go home. The house was empty without her daughter. But she did need to rest, shower, change clothes. Besides, if she hung on to that crumb of faith, maybe tonight the nightmare would end.

      Reluctant to stop, but well aware that she’d made little progress, Shelby logged off, secured the file with her password and waited while the machine shut down. It seemed to take longer than usual and she made a mental note to have the company technician check for malfunctions. She locked the files in her desk, pocketed the key.

      She was almost at the door, about to leave, when a knock halted her actions. Her nerves inched up a notch, though she knew the company’s security system would be on, that no one who didn’t have the correct security clearance would be able to get into the building. But…

      “Come in,” she called, fingers clenched around her purse.

      “So you are still here.” Daniel stuck his head in. “I’m not sure it’s good for you to be working such long hours your first day back, but I am glad you’re here. Have you got a moment for me?”

      She wanted to go home, to see if her faith had worked, if someone somewhere had found out where Aimee was being held. But Daniel’s serious expression stopped her.

      “I was leaving, but I can spare a few minutes. Nothing to rush home to,” she tried to joke, then bit her lip.

      “We’ll find her, Shel. Just keep hanging on.” He moved toward her, patted her shoulder. “Actually, that’s why I wanted to talk to you. I heard about the ruckus with our resident bad boy this afternoon. I’d have been here, but I only found out a couple of hours ago, too late to be of assistance.”

      “It’s all right, Daniel. Russ just wants to help.”

      “And you’re letting him?”

      The tone of his voice bothered her.

      “Why not? You two used to be best friends. Has something happened to change that?” Shelby watched the guarded look cloud his eyes. “Have you argued with Russ about something?”

      “Not really. I just thought you and I agreed that I would head up things here. But now Russ has practically taken over, countermanding my orders—”

      “Daniel.” She stepped closer, laid her hand on his arm. “You know that I’ve depended on you, and will continue to depend on you to keep Finders going. You have my full support. But this is my child, and she’s missing. I can’t afford to turn down anyone’s help.”

      “Ah, but why should she refuse my help, eh, Daniel?” Russ stood in the doorway, hands on his hips. “I am the only one who seems to get results.”

      His arrogance had once made Shelby laugh. But now, the word results took her breath away. “You found something.”

      “Ja. I found—something.” He strode in, leaned one hip against her desk. “This Natalie, the oh-so-elegant police detective. You know her well?”

      “I don’t know her at all. Except that when I called the police, she came. Why?”

      “Curious.” He shrugged. “The lack of clues, that is surprising, yes?”

      “I СКАЧАТЬ