Dangerous Attraction Romantic Suspense Boxed Set (190 page)

“Yes, except she’s not talking,” Raj replied.

“Can I talk to her?” she requested.

“That’s not usually done,” Raj told her. “Let me see what Porter thinks.”

“I thought you were
partners
,” she said.

“We are, but he’s the senior partner. There could be implications, so I’d like to get his take on it. Why don’t you guys come back to my desk?”

Ryan and Kate followed him to the squad room where they found Will Porter seated at his desk, on the telephone.

“Thanks for your help,” he said to the person on the other end of the line. He stood as he hung up the receiver.

“Hey, Kate and Ryan, I’m glad you’re here. We’ve gotten some good television coverage on Suki being brought in for questioning in Whitney’s disappearance, and the tips are starting to come in.”

“That’s great news,” Ryan said, glancing at Kate.

“Anything sound helpful?” she asked, her eyes lighting up with optimism.

“Not yet, but maybe soon. It depends how that last tip pans out. Now, I don’t want to get your hopes up, and this is off the record, but the person on the other end of that phone call claimed she was Suki’s foster mother when she was a teenager.”

Porter looked down at his notes. “Said her name was Mrs. DiMarco and that she saw the story on TV showing Suki being brought in for questioning regarding Whitney’s disappearance. She wants to talk.”

“That’s good, right?” Kate struggled to keep her feelings in check. The detective was right, she shouldn’t get her hopes up yet.

“Maybe yes, maybe no. Can’t say until we talk to the woman.” Detective Porter seemed as if he might be regretting having said anything about the woman to Kate. “I think Ryan can vouch for the odds of a tip panning out.”

“That’s true, unfortunately,” Ryan nodded.

“Detective, I was wondering if I might be able to talk to Suki myself. Maybe she would open up to me,” Kate said.

Raj looked at Will, raising his eyebrows inquisitively at the suggestion.

“I’m sorry, Kate, I can’t let you do that.” Porter sounded adamant. “Suki has asked for an attorney, and I don’t want to do anything that could be construed as trying to get information out of her without her lawyer present.”

Kate was willing to try anything she could to find her sister, but Detective Porter reminded her there were rules and protocol—his hands were tied.

“Well, I thought I’d ask.” Kate crossed her arms and rested her hips against his desk.

“Why don’t you guys go and get some dinner, and we’ll call you if we catch a break on any of these tips. Okay?” Patel suggested.

“That’s a good idea.” Ryan took her hand. “These detectives don’t need us underfoot.”

“All right,” Kate said, “but you’ll call us the minute you know something, won’t you?”

“Yes, yes, absolutely. Now go, have dinner and try to relax. I promise we’ll call you when we know something,” Raj said.

* * *

“Hey, everyone gets a phone call. Where’s mine?” Suki asked the female officer as she walked by the holding area.

“I thought you called a lawyer,” the officer replied.

“No, I didn’t. I mean, I asked for one, but I didn’t call. I was told they’d be appointing one for me,” Suki said. “So? Can I use the phone or what?”

“Fine. Come with me. Payphone’s down the hall.” The officer unlocked the cell and opened the door. “But you only get fifteen minutes, so make it count.”

Suki was elated. They may have her cell phone, but at least now she could try to reach Ethan. The female officer gave her change for the phone and reminded her of the time limit before stepping a few feet away to wait.

She nervously dialed his cell number, hoping he would pick up.

“Hullo.”

“Oh, my gosh, Ethan. I’m so glad you answered.” She spoke rapidly, not wanting to waste any time.

“Hey, Sis,” Ethan replied, “about time you called. I haven’t heard from you in awhile and you weren’t answering your cell. Listen, I came by the loft to see if you were here. I snuck in behind one of your neighbors.”

“You found the key?”

“Yeah, I let myself into the apartment, wandered around looking for you. I thought you said you weren’t working today.”

“I’m not, but listen, Ethan—”

“You said you didn’t want to be here, so I figured you’d be scared and hiding somewhere.”

“That’s not it, Ethan,” Suki was starting to think he was on something, again. She could hear him slamming things around, it sounded like the kitchen cupboards.

“Hey, you got anything to eat? I’m hungry. What’s in the fridge?”

“Ethan.”

“Hey, Kate’s phone number. I’m taking this.”

“Yeah, fine, take it. I don’t need it. But, Ethan—”

“Cool, apples. I’m taking one of these too, Sis. I got my switchblade. Gonna practice carving up this apple here before I use it on Kate.”

She could hear a rustling sound and little grunts coming from Ethan.
What is he doing?
She pictured him in her kitchen, brandishing the knife in a swashbuckling fashion.

Suki glanced over at the officer waiting nearby. Ethan was clearly in his own little world and she was getting frustrated. She didn’t have much time to warn him.

“Should I slit her throat? No, stab her in the chest! Yeah. That’s what I want to do, Sis. Hey, I’m gonna go lie on your bed and wait for Kate in there—surprise her.”

Then, Suki could hear him crunching an apple in his mouth, followed by the sound of the television. Probably TV Land, it sounded like an old sitcom playing in the background. She recognized the theme song…it was one they used to watch as a family, when they were kids. Ethan laughed and then there was a muffled sound.

Did he drop the phone? I’ve lost him.
She assumed he was off somewhere in his drug-induced world, again, watching old reruns.

“Ethan!”
she shouted with her hand cupped over the receiver to muffle the volume of her voice, but there was no response.

“Time’s up,” the officer said, coming over and clicking off the phone. “If you ask me that was a wasted phone call. You barely got a word in. Let’s go. Back to holding.”

Suki went reluctantly. Now she really was screwed. She’d wasted her one phone call and her brother still had no idea where she was.

Chapter Fifteen

The keys jangled as Ryan unlocked the door and let Kate into his condo.

“Make yourself at home. I’m just going to change.” He ducked into his bedroom.

She stood in the middle of the large space, admiring the architecture and design. Kate appreciated the open loft concept. It had a very contemporary feel with clean, straight lines and tall windows overlooking the heart of the city. It was well decorated in a manly bachelor sort of way. Sleek brown leather furniture sat against creamy white walls, softened with reds and rust, which toned down the stainless steel accents.

The place reminded her of a photo shoot she did in Malibu for an architectural magazine—the same clean lines and voluminous space, earthy colors and natural elements. The style filled her with a sense of peace and calm.

A few dishes sat in his sink, a pair of brown loafers rested by the sofa, and one of Ryan’s jackets lay on the back of a dining chair, which gave his place a lived-in feeling.
Not messy, just comfortable
.

“Is there any place in particular you’d like to go to tonight?” Ryan called out from the bedroom.

From where Kate stood, she could peer into part of the bedroom and see Ryan, bare from the waist up, looking into his closet, searching for something else to put on. The sight of this partially-naked man, his chiseled upper body exposed, made her heart skip a beat. Heat rose in her cheeks and flowed down through her body.

“Um, yes, well…that place we went to the other night, Yellowfin’s, would be good. I thought the food was excellent.” Kate stepped toward the wall of windows so Ryan wouldn’t catch her watching him dress.

“Yes, I think that would be good, too,” he said as he stepped up behind her, now fully clothed, and wrapped his arms around her waist. She let out a nervous giggle at his surprising nearness. The comfort of his arms filled her with warmth and she did not resist.

“What a stunning view,” she said, looking out at the city lights, leaning her head back on his chest.

“Yes, stunning,” he agreed. They stood together enjoying the view for a moment, feeling the same physical and emotional attraction they had experienced the evening before at his folks’ place. Brushing her golden hair back with his hand, he gently kissed the side of her neck.

A tingle rushed through her from her neck to her toes. She turned around and looked up into his eyes. He caught her gaze for just a moment then lowered his face. His lips covered hers and she felt the passion from that kiss send her blood pulsing throughout her body.

“Oh, Ryan,” she heard herself sigh. The intensity of the kiss overwhelmed her, leaving her intoxicated. Her head was spinning, and she wondered where this was going to lead.

“Kate—” he started to say, interrupted by the ring of his phone. Thoughts instantly flew to her sister, hoping the detectives were calling with some news.

Her body stiffened and she stepped back from Ryan as he whipped his phone out of his pocket, not taking the time to check the Caller ID first.

“Hello, this is Ryan.” He paused, listening. “Oh. Vanessa.” He frowned, pausing again.

“Actually, yes. I’m in the middle of something important. Can I call you back tomorrow?” Ryan said, looking at Kate, shaking his head as if to say
no, I won’t
.

After a longer pause, Ryan rolled his eyes. “Oh, brother,” he mumbled as he hung up the phone and shoved it back in his pocket.

His response to Vanessa made Kate grin.

“Sorry about that,” he said, running a hand down her arm, taking her hand in his, kissing her fingers. “Where were we?”

“I thought that call was going to be the police with some news about Whitney.” She looked down and shook her head, taking her hand back. “What kind of sister am I, thinking about myself at a time like this?” She walked over to the window, crossed her arms, and looked out at the sprawling view of the city. “Where are you, Whitney?”

Ryan stepped up behind her and put his arms around her once more, enveloping her in his strength and comfort. The moment was broken, but he seemed to understand. “They’ll find her, Kate.”

“It’s so hard to just wait. I need to be doing something.”

“Let’s head over to the apartment so you can change, and then we’ll get some dinner. Maybe by the time we’re finished eating, the cops will have gotten something out of Suki.”

“We can only hope.”

* * *

Kate turned the key in the lock and the door to the apartment made a creaking sound as it opened. They had been conversing back and forth, but they stopped when they heard a noise coming from Suki’s bedroom.

Kate looked at Ryan, frightened at the possibility she was there. “Do you hear that?”

He nodded.

“Suki?” Kate called out. There was no reply.

“We know the police are holding her, so why is the television on in her bedroom?” she said, keeping her voice down.

Ryan shrugged in response. He led Kate down the hallway to check.

“Suki?” he said, as they entered the bedroom. The bed was mussed, like someone had been laying on it, but there was no one there.

Kate reached down and flipped the TV off. “I guess she must have forgotten to turn it off before she left this morning. I didn’t think the police had released her yet.”

“I’m sure they would’ve called us if they decided to let her go,” Ryan said.

Kate noticed a photo sitting on Suki’s dresser. She picked it up and examined it. It was a photo of Suki and Ethan with their mom and dad, a long time ago.

“What’s that?” Ryan asked.

“Looks like a photo of Suki and her family quite awhile ago, before the accident. They looked happy.”

“So, her mom died in the car accident. That must’ve been hard.” Ryan said.

“Yes, I’m sure it was,” she said sadly, remembering the death of her own mother.

“What about the dad?”

“I don’t know,” she replied, “but if Suki ended up in foster care, it can’t be good.” She set the photo gently back down on the dresser and walked out of the room.

“While you change, I’m going to call Yellowfin’s and get a reservation.”

“Okay. I’ll just be a minute,” Kate replied as she walked into Whitney’s room and shut the door.

* * *

Kate and Ryan left the apartment building and strolled down to Yellowfin’s Seafood Grille. The light rain had stopped and the air was almost dry again. Ryan held the door open for Kate and followed her inside.

“We have reservations,” he told the young Asian hostess. “Wilson, for two.”

“Yes, right this way, Mr. Wilson.” She plucked a couple of menus from the cabinet and led them to their table.

Kate slid into the booth.

Ryan took off his jacket and slipped in across from her. “Well, what shall we have tonight?” He picked up the menu and scanned over it. “The Mahi Mahi looks good.”

Her phone began to ring and she was quick to answer it. “Hello, this is Kate.”

“Kate,” said an unfamiliar male voice, “be quiet and listen carefully. If you want to see Whitney alive, you’ll do what I say.”

“What?” she asked.

Ryan raised his eyes from the menu and looked over at her.

“This is Ethan Henderson and I have your sister. Act like I’m an old friend. If you don’t play along with me, I will kill her.”

“Oh, hello, Cynthia,” Kate said. “Sorry, I couldn’t hear you at first.”

Ryan returned to reading the menu.

“I want you to tell your date you need to go and use the ladies room. Do you understand?”

“Yes, I’d be happy to help you when I get back in town.”

“Come out the rear door of the restaurant, through the kitchen. I left a package in the alley with instructions on how to get your sister back.”

“Yes, Cynthia. That would be fun.”

“Come out to the alley alone, or I promise you I
will
kill your sister.”

“Okay, no problem. I’ll see you then.” The line went dead, so Kate pretended to hang up.