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“His car’s GPS system was turned off. He hasn’t made a phone call. He hasn’t sent an email.”
“Why haven’t you called the police?”
“I told you, because his partners at the law firm know where he is. He’s not missing. Just not talking to his family.”
“But, why would he do that?”
“I don’t know.” She practically growls in frustration. “No one does.”
“How is that possible? When’s the last time you saw him?”
“The last time anyone saw him was the day he went to the hospital to see Gigi Rivers.”
An alarm bell rings in my head. I lean forward, and even though I know we’re alone, I still look around the room, just to make sure.
“Why would he go and see Gigi Rivers?”
“He and Hayes are best friends. They have been since Hayes moved back.”
“I thought your families were feuding?” I ask and take a sip of my water to quench my parched throat.
“Well, it’s never been our generation. That’s something our parents know about, but never told us more than that the Wilde’s weren’t one of us. But, they… they’re just really close.” Her voice cracks.
She closes her eyes and battles back tears. “Hayes just got married. I was sure he’d come back for that. But, he didn’t. And—it’s my daughter’s birthday today. That’s why I’m so distraught. He would never ever miss this. I think something’s happened to him. Those men at the office don’t care as long as they’re making money. Remi’s out there somewhere, alone.”
“Oh my God…” My mind is whirling, and my heart thuds as I try to parse and separate what she’s saying about Remi from my questions about Gigi Rivers.
“Kal, Remi is intensely private. He’s always been, but in the last few years, as his career took off, he’s become like a different person. He’s a complete workaholic, a taskmaster, perfectionist, and really kind of closed off to any real affection. He moved back here when my grandfather died. He’s been really focused on building Wilde Law. He goes off sometimes, but he’s never just disappeared. I’m afraid he’s not coming back.”
My stomach forms a knot. The thought of Remi somewhere hurt or stranded and alone sends chills through my body.
Regan doesn’t seem to notice my stillness or feel my panic.
“I’m still trying to protect his privacy. He wouldn’t want this to be news. Whatever is going on with him is obviously serious. His assistant quit right when he left, and I know he wouldn’t trust anyone else, I’ve been managing his calendar. But, I fucked-up. I forget to cancel one of his appearances. He was the keynote speaker. Now, there’s gossip that he’s missing.” Her face is pinched.
“Oh, wow…” I shake my head in bewilderment, trying to put together the meager facts she’s just given me.
“So he didn’t get in touch with you at all?”
Her question lurches me out of the daze that the rest of her words put me in. “I’ve heard nothing. But… I think I’m the last person he’d call.”
“Kal, you’re probably the only person he’d call. He talks about you all the time. Those Christmas cards Paul sends Marcel every year? He’s confiscated every single one. His refrigerator is covered with them. I just assumed… I thought he would come to you…” She covers her face in despair.
“No, he didn’t come to me,” I say slowly.
“Oh God. I don’t know what to do. Gigi Rivers won’t talk to any of us.” She wails.
“Why? Because of the feud?”
“I guess.” She clears her throat and composes herself. “My mother’s tried. She said she won’t see us. I don’t understand. I’m friends with Stone Rivers, but he’s off in Medellín or some shit and otherwise, I have no contact with the rest of them. I don’t know what to do.”
“Are you kidding? Your brother is missing. And you haven’t talked to the last people who saw him?” She leans away from the judgement in my voice.
“I told you, my mother tried, they won’t talk to us.” She insists.
“And you believe your mother?” I am incredulous. I know firsthand that the woman is a devious, shameless liar.
She frowns. “Why wouldn’t I?”
