Page 22 of For Better or for Ransom

“We understand,” Divya said. “Still. It would help us.”

“Pinging them as we speak.”

“Penny, what do you think may have happened to Leonardo?” Divya asked.

“I have literally no idea,” Penny said, sincerity tingeing her tone again. And, as a waiter started bringing dishes for the detectives and Sol, she added: “And that’s making me anxious.”

13

Luke

Right, what do we have?” Luke asked his romantic partner and his work partner as the three of them were in the back of a cab headed to Sol’s place after their lunch and the talk with Penny Carr.

“I don’t think Penny is hiding anything,” Sol said.

He was well aware that his lover had talked to enough publicists to know when they were being cagey or hiding something. Then again, Penny could be an excellent actor who’d learned a lot from her clients.

“Really? I was hoping for a different answer.” Divya’s disappointment was obvious.

She and Luke were on the same page. But his detective nose—and years of experience interviewing people of interest—also told him the publicist was telling them the truth.

“Was it Moon who told you about Leonardo pulling a stunt?” Sol asked. Both Luke and Divya nodded in affirmation. “Let’s talk to them then. I’m curious to know exactly what they meant.”

“I’m afraid they’re going to be all secretive again. I don’t like it when they don’t tell me everything and the work gets in the middle,” Divya said. She was seated between Luke and Sol. She turned to him, then her, and pointed in both their directions. “I don’t know how you two manage to work together. It’s so bloody stressful!”

“We don’t work together!” Sol protested.

Luke simply arched his eyebrows in her direction. “Really, cara? Then what is it that you’re doing here right now?”

“I’m just here helping you navigate the city, and being civil. I was going to offer to make some tea when we get home. I just want to know if I can be of any help.”

“Of any help,” he repeated with a chuckle.

“You see!” Divya said. “You two can’t even agree whether you’re working together or not. All because you are working together.”

“Even if she’s playing coy,” Luke said, and smiled in his lover’s direction, “I agree with Sol. We need to talk to Moon.”

“Right, let me text them,” Divya finally conceded. She took her mobile from her back pocket and started typing.

“You do realize this taxi ride is actually quite similar to the one Leonardo should have taken the other day coming from the beach and going to the theater, right?” Sol signaled the busy street out of the window next to her.

Luke allowed himself a glimpse outside his window. He would not be caught saying that out loud, but Barcelona was a far bigger city than he sometimes realized. There were so many places where Leonardo Pascual could have simply jumped out of the cab and disappeared—or be taken by someone. Sometimes he feared that whole case was like trying to find a needle in a haystack.

He opened the notebook he was carrying in his jacket pocket. A notebook he’d only packed because after the incidents of his previous trip, he’d learned never to travel unprepared again. Needless to say he wasn’t expecting to use that piece of equipment during this particular trip. But before Luke could check what other loose threads they should be focusing on, Divya beat him to it.

“We’re still waiting on Palau to return our calls,” the Mancunian said, her eyes on her mobile.

“Oh, Sandro is famous now,” Sol quipped. “It may be a while until he calls you guys. Someone definitely seems to be taking advantage of Leonardo’s disappearance.”

“Precisely why we need to talk to the chap. Sol, Luke told me you had contacts and could get us his address in the city.” Divya lifted her gaze as she asked the one thing Luke was most definitely avoiding.

He sent a killing glare in Divya’s direction. If she noticed it, she pretended not to.

“He did?” Sol blinked, smiling demurely toward him.

He cleared his throat. Oh, how much he’d like to be in London right this moment. “Any chance any of your family members or friends has a contact at the police so that we get that information? It’s time we pay Sandro Palau a visit.”

“Of course, why didn’t you tell me!” After a few whirls inside her ginormous bag, Sol found her mobile phone and started browsing. “I’m sure Miquel can help you guys.”