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This was where she’d seen the light of understanding in the police officer’s eyes earlier change to skepticism. But if she was going to get Darcy home, she had to tell him everything. “We may have…argued a little.”
Sure enough, a brow shot up and he sat a little farther back in his seat as he waited for her to expand.
“It wasn’t a big deal. I don’t particularly care for the woman she was babysitting for and had voiced some frustration. That’s all. It wasn’t a new argument and nothing that would send my daughter running away. She’s not hotheaded like that.”
“So let me make sure I understand everything. The girl’
s mother abandoned her when she was a kid, her dad died, and you’re basically all she has.” He said that in a way that was almost insulting but she stayed silent. “Her stepfather hasn’t seen her in weeks. You insist she doesn’t have a boyfriend even though she’s been lying to you about hanging out with her best friend the past couple of weeks, so you really don’t have any idea where or who she’s been with. And then the two of you got into an argument last night and now she’s missing. I don’t know. Sounds like a girl who would have a lot of reasons to want to leave for a couple of days. Blow off some steam.”
The worst thing about what he’d just recounted to her was…he was totally right. Except for the part where Darcy would ever take off without leaving some word.
She had to make him understand short of standing in front of him and yelling. He had to know who Darcy was.
Carefully she folded her hands together. “Since I first met Darcy, she’s had one singular goal, even at eleven—get accepted into a top liberal arts college, graduate with honors, and go on to become the next Margaret Atwood. And sure enough, she earned a four-point-oh GPA and acceptance into several top-notch colleges across the country. Her education has been her sole focus her entire young life, to the exclusion of any kind of active social life—despite my urging. Now that she’s accomplished her goal, I think she’s been a little bored. Restless. Maybe testing her own limits, gaining some independence. But no matter what she’s been doing the past few weeks, where she’s been, who she’s been with, she’s never failed to stay in touch with me. To let me know when she would be home, when she was going anywhere. Until now.”
She searched his stoic gaze for any sign of understanding. He had to believe her, otherwise she’d never find her daughter.
He studied her another long moment and finally gave a quick nod. “All right. Do you know what time she was last seen yesterday? When did she leave the babysitting job?”
“I—I don’t really know.” She scanned the room, unable to meet his gaze.
“Couldn’t they estimate the time for you?”
“I didn’t think to ask.” Nor would she consider asking in a million years.
“I’ll need to speak with them.” He pulled out a pen and small notebook from his back pocket and poised his hand, ready for the information.
He waited.
“Can’t we try and track Darcy’s cell phone?” She’d caught every episode of Veronica Mars and had seen this done dozens of times. “You’re some sort of investigator. Shouldn’t you have something that can do that?”
“Sure. But I wouldn’t hold your breath. You said her phone was going to voicemail, meaning it’s likely dead. Which means…no signal. So unless you want to argue and second-guess every move of my investigation, thereby delaying and potentially putting your daughter’s safety at risk, let’s start with where she was last seen.”
His condescension was almost over-the-top, but he had a point. She sighed. “Allie McBride. Single mom. Darcy was watching her daughter, Violet, last night.”
Another flicker of something close to surprise crossed his face, but then it was gone. “Do you have an address? I’d like to speak with her in person, see if she remembers anything important that might tell us where Darcy was heading.”
“Not off the top of my head, but I know where she lives. I can take you now if you really think it’s important.”
“I need a few more answers before I decide whether I’m taking the case, and Ms. McBride might be able to help. Wouldn’t want to waste your time or mine any more than is necessary.”
Wait. Was he kidding? Was he actually vetting her? Bright, angry sparks of red flashed across her corneas. True, this wasn’t an arrangement she was used to making, hiring a consultant–slash–security expert–slash–investigator. But shouldn’t she be interviewing him? Deciding if she wanted his help?
“I’m sorry. I’m not familiar with the etiquette here, but I will be employing you, correct? I’ll be the one to decide if we’re wasting our time and money.”
He leaned forward quickly and she blinked. It was the most movement she’d seen him make, in comparison to his almost statue-like position across from her for most of this interview.
“You may end up paying the final check, ma’am, but I call the shots during the investigation. It may surprise you, but I get a number of calls a day from prospective clients who want my assistance, and I have to decide where my services are most needed. The only reason I’m here now is your old man called in a favor with my boss. And like I told him, I’ll check it out and decide if it’s something that needs our—my—services. There are too many people in need of help for me to waste my time looking for a spoiled rich girl who might just be out to test her stepmommy’s will.”
“Is that what you think this is?” She leaned forward, refusing to let his intensity intimidate her. Not flinching, she met his gaze, noticing his eyes weren’t just the dark, intense green she’d previously thought but more olive, with flecks of brown. “My daughter testing her will against mine? Have you not been listening?”
He sat back again and resumed his usual robotic stance. “Yes. And I’m not yet convinced there’s any evidence of foul play. But, like I said, once I speak with a few more possible witnesses, I can better assess the situation and make my final decision.”
Meredith loathed the arrogant man who had just chalked her up as an overbearing, hysterical mama. But she had to remember why she was here—for her daughter. And if this guy was as good as he thought he was—and as her father thought he was—then he was her best chance of making sure Darcy came home safely.
So rather than deliver a biting comment, she nodded her agreement to the terms. For now.
For the next few minutes, they went through several more questions, such as the make and model of Darcy’s car and whether Meredith had noticed anything missing from Darcy’s room that would indicate she had planned to stay out a day or two—which she hadn’t. When Travis seemed satisfied, he returned his pen and notebook to his pocket.
