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Making inquiries about Eliza Perry would give him a chance to check out the headquarters. He could also ask the tough questions that might not have occurred to Katrina. Like what her sister’s behavior had been in the days before she left town and whom she had been hanging out with. Spencer had seen many missing-persons cases that involved substance abuse and, privately, he suspected that Eliza could have drifted back into her old ways. As much as he hoped to be able to give Katrina other news, he doubted that would be the case.
When he arrived at the AAG ranch, he spent a few minutes behind the wheel of his car, checking out the exterior of the beautiful building. From this viewpoint, it was hard to understand the feeling of creepiness Katrina had described. On the contrary, it appeared the AAG leaders had gone out of their way to create an open, inviting atmosphere.
As he alighted from his vehicle, and released Boris from his compartment, it occurred to him that the place appeared almost deserted. The impression was reinforced when he entered the lobby and found it empty. Frowning, he approached some of the doors that led off the reception area. The delicious smell of cooking food and the sound of voices drew him along a corridor. As he reached the end, he could see into a large room with a long table, where about thirty people, including adults and children, were seated.
The sound of footsteps behind him caused him to turn. An attractive, well-dressed blonde woman, who he judged to be in her midsixties, was approaching him. As she closed the distance between them, Spencer could see her blue eyes sizing him and Boris up.
“Hi. I’m Micheline Anderson, leader of the Affirmation Alliance Group.” Her smile was warm. “I don’t think we’ve met?”
“Sergeant Spencer Colton, Mustang Valley Police.” Spencer was used to reading people’s reaction when he introduced himself. Micheline’s open expression didn’t change. “I’m trying to track down a missing person who was last seen on these premises.”
“Oh, goodness.” Her tone was sympathetic. “I got a message earlier today that a family member had been asking some questions. We’ll do everything we can to help, of course.” She waved a hand toward the dining room. “Please, ask anything you need to.”
Although she gave the impression of being helpful, Spencer felt a twinge of annoyance. He was a police
officer. He didn’t need permission to do his job.
“Perhaps I could start with you? The missing woman is called Eliza Perry and she is known to have stayed at this ranch prior to her disappearance in April.”
Micheline shook her head. “I’m afraid you are asking the wrong person. Although I’m the AAG founder and leader, I don’t live on the premises. My home is nearby and I’m here most days, but I don’t know the names of all our guests. Think of my role as that of CEO of a large business. You wouldn’t expect me to deal with every client on a day-to-day basis, would you?”
Her manner was easy and natural and he could see how her group attracted so many people. He figured that Micheline would be good at making anyone feel comfortable. She had also skillfully closed down his line of questioning before he’d begun.
“And we’ve been so busy since April, when the earthquake struck.” With the lightest of touches to his arm, Micheline guided Spencer into the dining room. A few glances were cast his way, but no one appeared troubled by his presence. “Let me introduce you to Leigh Dennings, our welcome manager.”
Micheline beckoned to an attractive young woman. As soon as Leigh got close, Spencer recognized the “empty smile” of Katrina’s description. Flipping back her hair, she gave him a measuring look from beneath the sweep of her long lashes.
“Why, Micheline, I hope you’re not planning to keep this handsome guest all to yourself.” The tone was flirty, but Spencer caught the questioning look that she threw her boss. It appeared that Leigh didn’t make a move without getting instructions first.
“The sergeant here wants to ask some questions about a missing person,” Micheline said. “I’ve assured him that we will cooperate any way we can.”
Spencer watched the way Leigh’s gaze flickered across the room to where two men were finishing up their meal. They were dressed casually, and there was nothing suspicious about their manner. Even so, he sensed they were watching him closely. He figured they must be the security types Katrina had described.
“I think you may already have spoken to the missing woman’s sister.” Spencer focused his attention on Leigh while also watching the two guys. “Katrina Perry told me she came here to inquire about her sister, Eliza?”
“That’s right.” Was he allowing his suspicions to get the better of him, or was there something a little rehearsed about her manner? “I felt sorry for Eliza’s sister, but she was very emotional and didn’t want to hear what we had to say. The truth is that Eliza only stayed here for two days. I asked around some more this afternoon and a few people remembered that, when she left us, she seemed a little strung out.”
“Just like her sister was.” Micheline’s voice was soft and persuasive. “I guess it’s a family trait.”
The corners of Leigh’s mouth turned down. “To be honest, the group members I spoke to told me that Eliza was something of a fantasist. She was inclined to be distrustful of everyone here at the ranch and... Well, she made up stories that people were out to get her. Apparently, she could be quite convincing.”
Micheline shook her head sadly. “Not all actors are on the stage.”
Although he was uncomfortable with the idea that Katrina might also be highly strung and may have been overdramatizing the situation, Spencer knew he had to keep an open mind. And she had been overwrought when she’d talked to him about Eliza. Not that he could blame her. He’d feel the same way if either of his siblings went missing. Even so, her emotional state, and this new information about Eliza, did cast doubt on the validity of Katrina’s claims about her visit to the ranch.
“Was there anyone Eliza was particularly friendly with while she was here?” he asked Leigh.
“Not that I can recall. Randall and Bart may have some more information.” She beckoned, and the two guys Spencer had noticed rose from the table and came to join them. Leigh quickly outlined the details of the conversation. “This is Sergeant Colton. He was wondering if Eliza Perry had any friends while she was here,”
The older of the two men scrubbed a hand along his chin, his expression almost a parody of thoughtfulness. “A lot of people have been in and out of here since April. To be honest, I only remember her at all because of the dog.”
“Randall is our handyman,” Leigh explained. “He gets to know most of the guests. But anyone who only stays a few days—” She held her hands out, palms upward, in helpless gesture.
“What about you, Bart?” Micheline turned to the other man. “Did you see her with anyone while you were out tending the grounds?”
“Hardly saw her at all.” The guy’s job title might be “groundskeeper,” but his attitude reminded Spencer of a bodyguard. There was something threatening about the way he was frowning as he stood protectively between Micheline and Leigh, lowering his eyebrows as he watched Spencer, his glance dropping occasionally to take in Boris.
Spencer decided to try a different approach. “Did Harley Watts live on the premises?”
