Page 116 of The VIP Doubles Down

After dressing, he stood in the bedroom with his cell phone in his hand, staring down at Ron Escobar’s contact information, mustering every ounce of courage he possessed to call the detective. He told himself that whatever the news was, he couldn’t feel any worse, but he knew that was a lie.

In fact, hecouldfeel worse. The human psyche had an infinite capacity for suffering.

He hit the number. Even though it was Sunday, he was sure Escobar would return the call.

“Mr.Miller, what can I do for you?” Ron said.

“Sorry to bother you on Sunday, but I’ve moved my timetable up, and I’d thought I’d check in to see what information you have on Susannah Miller.”

He had to remind himself to breathe. Thank God Ron didn’t hesitate to answer. “She’s still living at the address you gave us. If you give me a second to pull it up on the computer, I can tell you—”

Gavin was no longer listening. He sank onto the bed because the muscles in his legs had turned weak with relief.She was still alive.

“—Fisher and Martinez, a local law firm.”

The names caught his attention. It was on the letterhead of his mother’s last communication. “What about Fisher and Martinez?”

“Your mother works there. Her position is listed as mediator.”

“Is she married?”

“Not currently. Divorced once, from Kenneth Herbert Miller.” Ron paused for a split second before continuing to read. “One child: Gavin Herbert Miller.” Another pause. “No evidence of cohabitation. She owns her home outright, no mortgage. Drives a Jeep SUV, paid cash. No criminal record.”

“Well, that’s a relief.” He let a note of irony creep into his voice, just to fend off the crash of emotions.

“I can send you the rest of the information, but it’s basic stuff right now. Our investigation is ongoing.”

“You can close it. That’s all the information I need. Except for whether she’s in residence.”

“She was, as of last night. I can put a man on her for as long as you want to keep track of her whereabouts and send you updates hourly.”

“I would appreciate that. Thank you for a job well done.”

“I wish all my jobs were this easy.”

Gavin disconnected and sat with his head bowed.

All these years his mother had been there, but his anger and pride had stopped him from seeking her out. All these years when he could have had answers instead of wallowing in ancient misery.

He would drag his past into the light of the present and stare it down. And he would do it alone because he had to prove to Allie—and to himself—that he could.

Chapter 30

The jet lifted off and banked left, turning away from the early-morning sun as it headed west. Gavin gazed out the window as Long Island shrank and dropped away behind him. His itinerary for this gray February Monday was a crowded one, covering most of the country. He had several dragons to slay, so he’d dressed in his dark knight’s armor: charcoal gray wool trousers, black silk shirt, and black leather jacket. It suited the weather and his mood.

Allie’s absence was like an open wound that flared with pain every time he touched it. Even worse, he was worried about her. He’d quizzed Jaros on what she’d said when he drove her home, but either Allie had barely spoken or his driver wasn’t talking.

He knew she was balancing on the edge of financial disaster, and he could so easily solve that issue. But she wouldn’t accept anything from him now, even if he swore she would be doing him a favor by salving his guilty conscience.

But it was so much more than guilt. He couldn’t bear the thought of her struggling and worrying. He wanted to smooth every obstacle out of her way and strew her path with rose petals.

Gavin snorted at himself, but it was true. He would pave the streets with gold if it made her happy. And he would ask for nothing in return other than to know she was smiling rather than weeping.

But he was getting ahead of himself. First he had to earn the right to have her feet touch his gold bricks.

His pilot signaled that cell phone use was permitted, but Gavin waited a few minutes longer before he slid it out of his pocket. He’d probably be waking Irene up, which could be to his advantage. He hit the “Call” button.

“Gavin?” She sounded wide awake. Too bad.