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“They could find something in her things. Let’s go.” Ariana pulled her friend across the street, her heart clawing its way up her throat.
She and Lia had to maneuver around neighbors. It seemed like the whole gated community had gathered on their street.
Everyone except Boone.
The thought sent an icy chill down her spine.
“Should we go inside?” Lia asked.
“No, we don’t want to disturb anything.”
“Like what?” Her eyes widened. “You don’t think Boone did something to her in there?”
“I have no idea, but the police need all evidence undisturbed. Maybe Boone did something, but maybe she ran away, and they’ll find her closet emptied.”
“Ran away?” Lia asked. “Not a chance. She’d have told us. And if her closet is empty, Boone did that to throw everyone off the actual trail.”
“I’m trying to think of scenarios that don’t end with Rita in trouble … or worse.”
Lia swallowed. “I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to her.”
Before Ari could respond, Detective Rojas stepped out of the house.
Lia and Ariana raced to her.
She gave them a sympathetic glance. “I know how upset you two are, but you need to stay off the property. This is an active investigation.”
“We have something important to tell you,” Ariana said.
Detective Rojas tilted her head. “What is it?”
Lia and Ari exchanged a nervous glance.
“I don’t have all day. We have a missing person to find.”
Ariana glanced over at the crowd. They were far enough away that nobody would hear. She turned back to the detective. “Boone wasn’t the only one seeing someone else.”
“Rita has a boyfriend?” asked the detective.
“Yes,” Lia and Ari said in unison.
“Come inside. It’s too loud out here. Don’t touch anything.”
They followed Detective Rojas to the kitchen and told her everything they knew, little as it was.
“Would you recognize him? Or help an artist draw a sketch?”
Disappointment washed through Ariana. “I wish. Rita was really secretive about his identity. Jared might’ve only been a name she made up so she could tell us about him. We don’t know more than we’ve told you.”
Detective Rojas turned to Lia. “Did you ever see a picture?”
“No. I always thought he was married,” Lia said. “Someone high profile. Why else would she be so secretive with us?”
The detective made notes before putting her tablet away. “If you two think of anything else — no matter how small — call or text me. I gave you my card, right?”
“Yes,” Ariana said.
The detective showed them out.
