Chapter Six
Josh knockedon Liza’s apartment door while Riley paced. She’d chewed her nails on the ride over. Josh was calm on the outside, but his antenna was up, and his gut was screaming that something was definitely wrong. He didn’t want to show Riley he was just as freaked out as she was. He’d always been taught to stay calm in tense situations and not to draw conclusions before he had all the facts.
Charlie pawed Josh then raced over to the top of the stairs and ran back. Riley stopped in her tracks midway across the landing. Then she hurried to see what Charlie was trying to alert Josh to.
Josh didn’t have to look to know that someone was probably climbing the stairs. Liza’s apartment building was only three floors with four apartments on each floor. So it was either Liza or someone who lived on her floor.
Josh knocked again as he kept his gaze trained on Riley and the stairs. Riley’s shoulders were hunched up to her ears until the person came into view, then she chomped on a nail again.
A balding man, who looked to be in good shape, emerged. He was carrying a paper bag with a loaf of bread sticking out of the top. When he saw them, his gaze swung from Riley to Josh then settled on Charlie, who was now next to Josh.
Josh grabbed Charlie’s leash just in case the man was afraid of dogs. Charlie wouldn’t hurt a fly unless someone was attacking Josh, and the old man didn’t come across as someone who would hurt anyone.
Josh had only been to Liza’s apartment a handful of times, and he’d never paid attention or talked to any of her neighbors.
“If you’re looking for Liza,” the man said, “she left late last night.”
All Josh could think was that she’d headed to the inn and her car broke down. Otherwise, his cousin wouldn’t have left to go anywhere in the middle of the night.
Riley clutched her chest as if she were having a heart attack.
The old man stuck his key into the lock on the door next to Liza’s. “Let me put my groceries down.”
Riley rushed to Josh’s right side. “Late last night. What is going on? She wouldn’t take off like that.”
He wrapped his arm around her and drew her to him. “Breathe.” Josh should have taken his own advice, but it was hard when Riley was pressed up against him. Now he was the one who needed oxygen.
“What if she decided to surprise me?” Riley pushed her body into his as if she wanted to bury herself inside him.
Josh’s mind started down a path that wasn’t appropriate at the moment.
“She could’ve gotten into an accident,” Riley continued. “We should call the police.”
We should,Josh thought, but they didn’t know much yet, and there was a twenty-four-hour window before the cops would do anything.
His gut twisted.
The old man returned, holding out his hand. “I’m Grayson. I just moved in not too long ago. How do you know Liza?”
Josh extended his hand. “I’m Josh Bandon, Liza’s cousin. This is her friend Riley.”
After the intros, Grayson said, “She had a visitor last night about midnight. I couldn’t sleep, so I sat out on my deck off my bedroom. I couldn’t hear much. But I did hear her arguing with someone—a female if I’m not mistaken.”
Riley and Josh exchanged a confused look.
The old man petted Charlie. “The argument didn’t last long. I got the impression they knew each other.”
“Did you happen to see the woman or anyone?” Riley asked.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t.”
Josh had no idea what their next move would be. He didn’t know any of Liza’s friends except Riley. The only person he could think of was Taylor. She was close to Liza, since she was her assistant.
“Thank you, Grayson.” Josh held up his key to Liza’s apartment. “Riley and I are going to look around inside. If Liza does show up or you hear any activity inside later on, could you give me a call?” He pulled out one of his business cards to the Redwood Cove Inn that he carried in his wallet.
Grayson read it. “I will. I do hope she’s okay. She’s a lovely person.”
Once Grayson returned to his place, Riley and Josh went into Liza’s. Josh blinked several times to make sure he wasn’t seeing things.
