Strand of Deception Page 2

  Maddie shoved open the courtroom door and ducked behind the marshal as he held up his hands to ward off the vultures waiting in the hall. Flashes snapped.

  She rushed down the hall, trying to ignore the reporters tailing her. Turning, she let the music soothe her as it had for years. “If you’re looking for trouble—”

  “Ms. Baxter, is it true Hubble’s DNA wasn’t a match to the saliva sample?” Yes. She kept walking at a fast clip. Daa-da-da-da-da.

  “Is it possible your lab contaminated the samples?” No. “You came to the right place.”

  Gritting her teeth to stop the retort on the tip of her tongue, Maddie stomped toward the exit. While most of the media stayed behind at the courtroom to hound Mark Hubble, a few industrious reporters dogged her heels.

  “Ms. Baxter, a statement, please?”

  No way. Daa-da-da-da-da.

  “How do you feel about your results freeing a man?”

  If only the man didn’t give her the creeps . . . if only she could believe he was innocent.

  “What would you say to Mark Hubble’s victim right now?”

  Maddie stumbled at the last question. How did she feel toward the victim? The woman had to have mistakenly identified Hubble, right? But how would she feel when she heard the news that Hubble was free?

  Dear God, please be with that poor woman. Wrap her in Your arms and comfort her in the way only You can.

  Maddie regained her footing and broke free out the doors. She paused, gulping in the cool February air. The midday sun shot through the sky but didn’t offer much heat against the breeze. She rushed down the stairs to the street corner, then turned back to the courthouse.

  Her sword at her side, the statue of Lady Justice with her blindfold permanently in place stared back at Maddie. The marble she was carved from as cold as Maddie’s heart.

  Science didn’t lie.

  Present Day, Friday

  “Sir, is it possible your daughter might have stayed the night at a friend’s and just overslept today?” Special Agent in Charge Nick Hagar peered into the man’s face, gauging even the slightest nuance for possible deception.

  “No, it’s not.” The man’s stance tightened, his Adam’s apple bobbing.

  Nick sighed. Missing children were the worst cases—parents distraught, scared, and rightly so, no matter the child’s age. The enormous emotional toll on parents when they didn’t know what happened to their child . . . he knew all too well what that looked like. Memphis kept her secrets—always had, always would.

  “Gina is well aware of the immediate consequences if she misses a check-in.” Les Ford’s public expression usually hid well his fifty-nine years. Today, every year weighted the lines of his ebony face. His tensed shoulders seemed out of place against the smooth lines in the formal living room. “Especially in light of that girl last week.”

  “I understand that, sir, and I mean no disrespect. I must ask these hard questions to find your daughter. If there’s even a remote chance she’s merely out of touch . . .”

  Despite her father’s prominent position, Gina Ford was a college student. One who could’ve stayed at a party and crashed with a friend. Or stayed somewhere she didn’t want her father to know about. Several other reasons she was just out of touch. So far, nothing indicated she’d been taken hostage to manipulate her father or she was a victim of foul play. Nick made brief eye contact with Darren, motioning him over to the couch.

  The distraught father ran a trembling hand over the top of his head. The ends of his closely cropped black hair were tipped with white. “I apologize, Agent Hagar.” He let out a long, slow breath. “Call it a gut feeling or father’s intuition, whatever, but my daughter’s in trouble.”

  “Okay, let’s back up. I know you’ve already told the police everything, but I’m going to ask you to tell me so I have all the details.” Nick sat forward on the high-back chair, taking in every movement, nuance, and gesture Les Ford made. “This is Agent Timmons, who’ll be taking notes for our investigation.”

  Nodding at Darren, Ford flexed, then relaxed his fingers dangling in front of him. “Last night, Gina had study group and didn’t plan to get home until after midnight.”

  “Do you know the names of those in her study group?” Darren asked, pen poised over his notebook.

  “Rebecca Dragon, Cynthia Mantle, Lisa Trainer, and Rachel Boxer. But Rachel wasn’t feeling well last night so she called to tell them she wouldn’t be able to join them.” Gina’s father shot Darren a look that indicated he knew everything about his daughter’s life. Or thought he did. He turned his piercing black eyes to Nick. “The group usually meets every Thursday evening in the McWherter Library from eight until eleven, then they go out for pizza at Garibaldi’s.”

  Darren scribbled while Ford continued. “Last night, Gina returned to her room early. She told me she didn’t feel like pizza and had some stuff to do before her workout in the morning. So she planned on going to bed as soon as we hung up. That was at eleven fifteen last night. I haven’t heard from her since.” His voice cracked.

  Nick waited, understanding the father needed a moment to recompose. Nick cleared his throat. “What time did you realize she was out of contact?”

  “Ten thirty this morning. She always calls when she arrives at the university’s fitness center, and we walk half an hour on the treadmill together every weekday.”

  Nick glanced at his watch—closer to one than noon. The silent ticking of every second falling off the clock skidded down his spine. “And when she didn’t call?”

  “I called her cell. It went straight to voice mail. I called her room. No answer. I went to her apartment. She wasn’t there, but I saw evidence that she’d slept there last night.”

  “You have a key to your daughter’s place?” Darren asked.

  Ford shot him a look full of disdain. “I’m her father. Of course I have a key to her apartment.” He pushed to his feet and dug out a key ring from his front pocket. His hands trembled as he pulled a single key off the ring and passed it to Nick. “Here’s her key. Her car wasn’t there.”

  This was feeling less and less like a kidnapping and more and more like . . . what? Nick swallowed the sigh and stood, staring out the expansive window overlooking a private garden. “And your wife? Is it safe to assume she has no idea where your daughter could be?”

  “Mrs. Ford hasn’t heard from Gina. Of course, she is extremely upset at the moment. I ordered her to take a sedative to calm her nerves and to lie down for a bit.” He gave a slight shrug. “She had a minor medical procedure performed a few days ago and needs her rest.”

  Oh, yeah, Nick understood all right. He’d seen video clips of Jennifer Ford on the news recently, leaving the dermatologist’s office. Rumors floated around that she’d had some lightening done. Without intent, his gaze settled on the framed photos adorning the marble mantle. Jennifer’s skin looked like smooth mocha as she smiled at the camera.

  Nick stopped at the photograph of Gina. “May I?” He pointed at the frame and raised a single brow to Ford.

  “Certainly.” Ford nodded. “That was taken a few months ago.”

  The girl was beautiful, there was no doubt about that. Her skin was even lighter than her mother’s, her chocolate eyes wide, but not as wide as her smile showing off perfectly straight and white teeth. There was a freshness to her face . . . a reflection of genuine passion for life. Nick’s chest tightened at the mere word—passion. How long had it been since he’d felt passionate about much of anything?

  He shook off his thoughts and directed his attention to Gina’s father. “Did she mention what stuff she needed to do this morning before her workout?”

  Ford shook his head. “I assumed it had to do with schoolwork.”

  Nick sat back on the chair. “We’ll get her schedule later. Right now, tell me abou
t Gina. What are her interests? Hobbies? Special people in her life?”

  Ford’s eyes glistened as his voice warbled uncharacteristically. “Gina is kind and loving, a wonderful daughter and person.” He cleared his throat, staring off into space. “She loves the ballet and art. Takes after her mother that way.” A gentle smile was affixed on his face and he swallowed hard. For a moment, Nick forgot who the man was and saw only a scared father.

  The Tennessee afternoon sun settled over the garden just on the other side of the wall. Various flowers extended and poised toward the warmth of the rays against the February chill. A gust shoved against stems, swaying them.

  “Gina is an excellent student. Takes pride in her work. All of her professors tout how much they enjoy her being in their class.”

  Which could just be lip service to an important man, who happens to sit on the University of Memphis’s board.

  “She’s active in various community-volunteer positions, mainly through my office. My assistant can give you a list of them.”

  Nick nodded. “What about the people she spends the most time with?”

  “Gina’s best friend is Cynthia Mantle. They’ve been close since high school. They were on the dance squad together back then.”

  They’re also in the same study group. Nick would definitely speak with Ms. Mantle.

  Darren tapped against the notebook. “What about a boyfriend?”

  The senator frowned. “Gina understands it’s not prudent to become serious with anyone while she’s so young.”

  Surely Ford didn’t believe his daughter didn’t date.

  “She has, however, begun seeing a young man. A David Tiddle.”

  Nick leaned forward again. “I mean no disrespect, sir, but I’m sure you’ve had him checked out, so I’d like to see your report, if I might.”

  Ford stared down his nose. “She’s not serious about him. He’s only been to the house a couple of times for dinner.” He shrugged. “Seems like a nice enough young man.”

  And Nick would just bet Ford had a nice, fat dossier on Tiddle. “Sir, I’m not judging you or your family, but anything you can provide will help us to find your daughter.”

  Ford stood and moved to the desk in the corner of the room. He opened a drawer and withdrew a thin manila envelope he passed to Nick. “That’s all the initial query gathered. I haven’t authorized more digging. Hadn’t planned on it unless Gina felt like the relationship was turning exclusive.”

  Nick slipped the file under his arm and stood. “Thank you. One last thing . . . can you think of anyone who would want to harm your daughter?”

  “Considering my position? I have many enemies, Agent.”

  “Anybody in particular recently?”

  “Let me get you a list of those on our current threat-watch.”

  Interesting they had to keep a current list. Nick paused at the door while Ford returned to the desk. Nick turned to Darren. “I’m going to question Ms. Mantle. You check out the other members of the study group. And pull Gina’s phone records.”

  Darren nodded as Ford returned and passed a piece of paper to Darren.

  Nick moved to the hallway and addressed the senator. “Is there anything else you can think of? Even if it’s remote and seems unimportant at the moment?”

  Ford’s fear flickered across his face. “Please, find my daughter.”

  Chest tightening, Nick nodded. “I’ll do my best, Senator.”

  Chapter Two

  “Ambition is a dream with a V8 engine.”

  Elvis Presley

  “Cynthia Mantle?”

  The svelte young woman walking with two other girls turned and flipped her shoulder-length, blond waves over her shoulder. Her gaze roamed over Nick before locking stares and smiling. “How can I help you?”

  Ridiculous. She had to be all of what—twenty-three, twenty-four at most?—and she was hitting on him, who looked every bit of his thirty-nine years? He didn’t have time for women. Not after Joy. Nick shook his head as he pulled his badge and flashed it.

  Her smile slipped from her face. “This about Gina?”

  How did she—?

  “Her dad called, told me you’d probably be by to speak to me.” Cynthia waved the other girls on, then gestured to the Carpenter Student Housing Complex. “Would you like to come inside?”

  Nick nodded and followed her up the stairs. If Les Ford interfered in his investigation, influential or not, Nick would go ballistic.

  “I don’t know what I can tell you, but the senator asked me to assist you in any way I can.” She stopped at the door on the right at the top of the landing and slipped a key in the knob. “He’s really worried about Gina.” She motioned Nick inside. “Have a seat. Can I make you a cup of coffee? Or something to eat? We were just heading out to lunch.”

  “No, thanks. I’ll make this as quick as possible so you can get on with your plans.” Nick hunkered down on the couch, an obvious hand-me-down with its baring threads, but it was a lot more comfortable than the chair at Senator Ford’s. He waited until Cynthia sat on the opposite end before he started. “You said Gina’s father was worried about her. Are you?”

  She shrugged. “It’s not like her to ignore her dad and all, but . . .”

  Nick sat up straighter. “But what?”

  “I don’t know. I think he puts too many demands on her. Where she can and can’t go. Who she can and can’t hang out with. The pressure she’s under . . .” Cynthia shook her head. “The way he’s always checking up on her. It’s enough to drive anyone nuts. Maybe she decided just to disappear for a little while.”

  “He’s always checking up on her?”

  She nodded. “Calling all the time. Making sure she’s where she says she is.” Cynthia gave a half snort, half laugh. “He even asks her what she eats. It’s crazy.”

  Sounded like. “So you think she’s . . . what, hiding out?”

  “Maybe she just wanted to get away. Have some time for herself. Spend some alone-time with her boyfriend without Daddy breathing down her neck.”

  “Her boyfriend, David?”

  “Yeah.” Cynthia’s eyes widened as she nodded. “He’s a keeper. I saw him first, you know, but he wasn’t interested.” Her gaze dropped to the floor.

  Nick pulled out his notebook and jotted down notes. “Is he a student here?” Although the dossier Ford had compiled on Tiddle reflected he wasn’t, Nick wouldn’t take anything at face value.

  “Not hardly. I think Gina said he was thirty or something.”

  “Do you know how they met?” That wasn’t something in the dossier.

  “Our reading club was out to dinner. I saw him sitting in the back booth when we entered, but he wouldn’t even make eye contact with me for more than a second. He bumped into Gina when she went to the ladies’ room. Lucky dog. He asked her out and they’ve been dating ever since.”

  “How long?” Ford indicated the relationship wasn’t serious, so they couldn’t have been dating too long.

  “About seven months or so.”

  Whoa. Seven months? In this day and age, that was a long time to be dating. Apparently Gina didn’t tell her father everything. “Are they exclusive?”

  Cynthia tilted her head. “Dude, they’re practically engaged.”

  Gina definitely didn’t tell Daddy everything. “That serious? And her father approves?”

  “Are you kidding? Gina just told her dad about meeting David a month ago. She knew her dad would get all weird and ask a lot of questions, and Gina didn’t want to go through all that until she knew if she and David were going to have a relationship instead of just casually dating.”

  Not that Nick blamed her, but seven months and practically engaged?

  “And she was right. After she told her dad about David, the senato
r started asking all sorts of questions about him . . . inviting them to dinner or brunch. Just sticking his nose in their relationship, if you ask me.”

  “Do you know where I can get in touch with David?” Although the dossier listed a home address and phone number, he wanted to know what Gina had told her best friend.

  “He lives in an apartment in Germantown, I think. He’s like a photographer’s apprentice or something cool like that.”

  Nick would use the information Ford had compiled to fill in the blanks. “I understand you were with Gina last night?”

  Cynthia nodded. “Study group. But she didn’t go out for pizza with us afterward like usual.”

  Breaking routine. “Did she say why?”

  “Said she had something important she had to do in the morning. But she’d been acting weird all night.”

  Nick sat up straighter. “Weird how?”

  Cynthia shrugged. “Like she was upset about something. I asked her what was wrong, and she blew me off. Didn’t want to talk about it, I guess.”

  “Do you have any idea what could have been bothering her?”

  “Maybe she got a poor grade on a test. Her dad stayed on her about making great grades. Like if she got even a B, it would cost him votes.”

  Sounded oppressive. He shifted his position on the couch to better face Cynthia. “Can you think of anyone who doesn’t like Gina? Someone who might want to hurt her?”

  Cynthia’s face paled. “You think something’s happened to her? Like Hailey Carter? Campus security is giving us all kinds of safety information and warnings.”

  “I’m just getting all the information I can to find Gina, but you should heed the cautions.” Nick paused, waiting and watching the girl’s face. “Were you and Gina friends with Hailey?”