Page 7 of Closer Than You Know (Vera Boyett #2)

Remington she damned sure didn’t want to punish herself by listening to his voice. If it was really important, he’d send an SOS text.

Pushing the thought aside, she opened the door to the law firm.

The lobby was quiet, elegant. Lots of glossy magazines and potted plants placed strategically around the room. The reception desk had a sleek wood grain with brass trim. Not really a desk—a counter. Three employees were stationed in the generous space behind it. Two on the telephone and another, who glanced up at Vera, offered a gleaming smile, and said, “Good afternoon. How may I help you?”

“My name is Vera Boyett. I’m here to see Liam,” she said with the sort of familiarity that suggested they were friends.

The woman with the neat brown bob and matching chocolate-colored turtleneck sweater made a pouty face. “I’m so sorry, Ms. Boyett, but unless you have an appointment ...”

Vera smiled. “I do not have an appointment, but if you’ll let him know this is his friend from Fayetteville, I’m sure he’ll make time for me.”

One carefully manicured eyebrow lifted slightly higher than the other. “Give me one moment, please.”

The receptionist picked up the phone and tapped a button on the base. “I apologize for interrupting you, Mr. Remington, but there’s a Vera Boyett here to see you.” She listened a moment, then said, “She mentioned being a friend from Fayetteville.”

Surprise flashed on the receptionist’s face. “Of course. I’ll show her to your office.”

Vera kept the smugness that wanted to claim her own expression at bay. Not an easy task.

“This way.” The receptionist rounded the end of the counter and gestured toward a corridor that exited the lobby to the right.

There was also one to the left. The space was far larger than Vera had expected. A sort of maze likely designed for creating privacy. She glanced toward the other corridor as they left the lobby. There appeared to be a large conference room in that direction. Maybe more offices beyond.

The receptionist paused at a door on the right. “You may go on in.”

“Thank you.” Vera waited until the woman had started back to the lobby before opening the door.

Inside, the office was very much like the lobby, lavishly appointed. Lots of deep, rich colors and heavy wood tones. The man standing behind the desk looked to be in his early thirties and was extraordinarily handsome. Obviously very smart. So this was Liam Remington. No wonder Nolan liked him.

“Ms. Boyett,” he announced with a dazzling smile, “welcome.”

Vera walked straight up to the desk and extended her hand. He shook it. “I’m here about Nolan.”

He nodded slowly, as if uncertain of whom she spoke.

For the first time since she left Fayetteville, Vera hoped like hell her sister knew what she was talking about.

“Nolan ...?” he prompted.

“Nolan Baker. A reporter in Fayetteville. Tennessee,” she tacked on, though he hopefully was aware.

No response. Closed reaction.

“He disappeared last night. We have reason to believe he was taken by a serial kidnapper.”

Liam Remington’s face went deathly pale, and he sank into the elegant leather chair behind his desk. Okay, good. Eve was right.

“Oh my God. Are you certain? What are the police doing?” He put a hand to his chest. “I’m certain his parents are—”

“Beside themselves,” Vera finished for him. “The police are doing all possible. I’m a consultant working with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department. I have a few questions, if you’re amenable.”

“Of course. Anything.” He touched his forehead. “Sorry. Please have a seat.”

Vera sank into one of the two plush chairs in front of his desk. The worry on his face, the fear in his eyes further confirmed that Eve had judged the relationship accurately. This man cared deeply for Nolan.

She kicked off the conversation with “Are you aware of anything in particular that Nolan was working on recently?”

“This Time Thief series of abductions,” Liam said, as Vera had expected. “He was keen to learn what the police had not. But he didn’t discuss specifics with me.”

Typical reporter. They always thought they could do a better job of investigating any given case than the police.

“Did you hear from him at all yesterday?”

Liam hesitated. “Is there some reason why you were sent to speak with me, rather than someone from the sheriff’s department?”

“No one in the department knows about you, Liam. I have other sources; that’s how I was able to find you.”

Recognition flared in his expression. “I know who you are. You’re the cop from Memphis—the one who had bodies hidden on her family farm.”

Great. “That’s me. I’m sure Nolan had plenty to say about me.”

They stared at each other for a moment. Vera wondered if pushing harder would be necessary, or if the man was just recalling whatever Nolan had told him about the Boyett sisters.

“Our relationship,” he said quietly, “mine and Nolan’s—”

“I understand,” Vera assured him. “I’m not here about your relationship. I’m here to learn anything I can that might help us find Nolan. So, did you speak to him yesterday?”

“Yes.”

“Did he mention a late-night meeting with a contact related to his investigation of the Time Thief case?”

“No. He only said that he had plans with his family and that he would call me this morning, but he hasn’t.” The worry reappeared. “I’ve tried him twice. No answer.”

“You’re certain he’s said nothing to you about any case—old or new—that he’s looking into besides that one?”

“Nothing. We ... don’t typically talk about work.” Some realization had him hesitating. “But he mentioned recently that he still had thoughts on the case that involved that cave on your farm. Is that why you’re here, Vera?”

Smart man. “No. As I said, I’m working with the sheriff’s department to help solve this case and Nolan’s abduction. Anything you can tell us about Nolan’s frame of mind recently could be useful.” She paused a moment. “Frankly, I’m worried that he may have been digging into the case and stumbled upon something that got him into trouble. The sooner we find him, the less likely he is to ... well, you know.”

A new surge of fear tightened his features. “His frame of mind has been normal—no change at all that I’ve noticed.” Liam looked away a moment. “That said, he really wants to break out. I feel confident he would take any and all risks to make that happen. But I am unaware of any steps he has taken or contacts he’s made in this thing that’s going on right now.”

“Thank you.” Vera stood. Reached into her bag and removed a business card. “Please, call me if you hear from Nolan or think of anything that might help us find him.” She placed the card on his desk.

He pushed himself to his feet. “You may rest assured that I will.” He looked away for a moment, then said, “Was his cell phone found?”

Text messages and/or photos. She got it. They were the riskiest elements that should never be part of a secret.

“No. It was not.”

The hope in his brown eyes vanished. The man had nice eyes. Not to mention he was tall with dark hair. Nolan had good taste.

“As I said, I work with the sheriff’s department. Closely. The sheriff and I are old friends. If the cell phone shows up ...”

His gaze lit once more. “There ... might be photos. We’re careful, but ...”

“Don’t worry,” Vera said. “I’m sure there won’t be any photos of concern discovered.”

He nodded. “That would be very good. And I will be in your debt.”

He surely would. “Thank you. I’ll let you know when we find him.”

“Please do ... he ...”

Vera nodded.

She understood.

Now she had even more reason to find Nolan Baker.

She needed the leverage just in case his investigative skills were sharper than Vera thought.