It didn’t take long for them to arrive; although the Airbnb was off the main road, tucked back into some trees. There was a feeling of being out in the middle of nowhere while, at the same time, someone had the ability to get to town quickly.
Or the outskirts of town to do surveillance on an accident scene, Maya thought. She knew Spencer had texted Natalia and told her to head back to where the they were staying. Maya had the impression that Natalia wanted to know more and Spencer said he would talk to her later. Maya parked where she could make a quick exit. If the interview wasn’t going as planned, then she’d told Lucas she would slip out and go track with Juniper.
Unless she had to lose a tail.
Lucas had kept Tony and Ian busy, but after the tow truck had recovered the jail transport and the entire scene had been processed, he’d had to let them go. He’d mentioned they hadn’t been happy to be put to work.
Maya saw two SUVs sitting near each other in a parking area away from the house. She glanced at her notes. One was the SUV that had followed her. The other was the rental that the Bradfords had been using.
As they had studied the notes from Elena and Josh, Maya was reminded of something Josh had told her. Miles, Sydney’s brother, was a little bit younger and had looked up to his big sister. Between Josh and Spencer, Maya had pieced together that like Sydney, Miles had gotten into trouble and been in and out of rehabs, but the last time seemed to stick and he had supposedly been sober for a couple years. But he’d never moved out of his parents’ house and was a loner. Maya wanted to talk to him if she had a chance. Maybe he would have more insight on his sister and what had happened.
Juniper had an indignant look on her face at being left in the vehicle. Maya was ready to say something to her about getting ready to rest for some work in a little bit when the front door opened and Tony came out, lighting up a cigarette. Juniper started barking and growling. The man startled and just about dropped the cigarette. A low, guttural growl continued from Juniper. Tony glared at them and then went over to the garage and smoked on the concrete.
“You really don’t like him, do you?” Maya asked. “If you don’t like him, then neither do I. At least he’s smoking on the pavement. I guess we can give him that. But did you notice his boots? I think he wears the same size as Josh. I would love nothing more than to prove he was at the scene when Amber was murdered.”
Juniper growled again in response. Maya double-checked that she had the remote that would open Juniper’s door if she was needed. Maya had used it when she was in a tight spot and needed the backup of her dog apprehending someone. She didn’t expect any trouble because she thought the senator would be smart and, like most politicians, try to talk his way out of things. With Pops, Lucas, and Spencer all there, plus Maya and Juniper, it wouldn’t be in their best interest to try anything.
When Maya left to go to her property, though, she’d had to make sure she didn’t have company. Based on Josh’s suspicions in the note, Tony already knew where her property was and probably was the one who’d stolen things out of the camper. Miranda had said she’d try to get out there at some point during the day and see what she could find. But if Tony was a retired detective, he would be smart and evidence would be hard to locate.
“If he does anything wrong, I’ll let you bite him,” Maya promised Juniper before stepping out. She could still hear growls coming from her vehicle.
Lucas, Pops, and Spencer were all waiting for her near the front entrance. The Airbnb was indeed a mansion—at least for this part of Colorado. The house had a large entrance, but still had a Colorado feel to it with dark logs in several A-frame shapes. There was a covered back patio area with an outdoor grill and luxury patio furniture. Stone siding decorated the side of the house below the logs.
“Nice place,” Maya said to everyone waiting for her.
“You can say that again,” Pops said as he rang the doorbell.
They waited a moment and finally Miles opened the door. He had on a designer sweater, khaki pants, and loafers that probably cost more than Maya made in a week. His face held very little expression, but he did step back and invited them all in.
“Good to see you, Miles,” Spencer said, taking the lead. “Are your parents home? We wanted to speak to all of you. We have some questions.”
“I think my mom is back and Dad is working in the office,” Miles said. “I’ll go see.”
They all waited in the living room area that opened into a large kitchen. There were leather couches, a painting of the Colorado peaks over a stone fireplace, and beautiful chandelier lights made from antlers.
“I think this kitchen is bigger than my apartment in Denver,” Lucas muttered.
Maya nodded and whispered, “It’s way too big. I wouldn’t want to clean this house.”
“I think if you can afford to live here, you wouldn’t clean your own house,” Lucas whispered back as Dale and Laura strolled into the room.
“Please, sit down,” Dale said, gesturing toward a couple of the leather couches. He and Laura sat opposite them, Miles standing behind the couch, and Maya noticed Laura had her hands clutched together in her lap. She was taking in all of them one by one. Once again, she had on designer jeans and a flannel shirt and had diamond bling finishing out her ensemble. Maybe it was simply someone trying to appear to have the perfect life when in reality, it was far from that. Especially if Dale was heavy-handed. That made Maya sympathize with her. When she’d been drinking she’d also tried to pretend her life wasn’t out of control.
“Thank you for meeting with us,” Spencer said. “I know you know about the missing prosecutor from Illinois. I was hoping you might be able to help us.”
“Sure,” Dale said. “Whatever you need. I can call in favors to help find her. I’m friends with the Colorado governor. Do you need helicopters? National Guard?”
“No, nothing like that yet,” Spencer said.
Maya continued observing everyone. Laura was now staring at her lap like it would give her answers. Miles’ expression had changed from bored to curious when the prosecutor was mentioned.
“Well, spit it out, Spencer. What do you need? I have things I need to get done today. I don’t mean to be short, but I don’t have much time,” Dale said.
Maya was surprised at his comment. So far the senator had been jovial and outgoing. The usual politician. This was the first time she’d had a chance to see the other side to him. Maybe the side that slapped his daughter, son, and wife around at times. If he was really controlling, that could be why Miles still lived with his parents at an age when most were developing careers, getting married, and even starting a family.
“What I need to know could be hard for all of you,” Spencer said. “It’s about Sydney. Did you know that this prosecutor, our missing person, was looking into Sydney’s case? Even thinking about reopening it?”
“No,” Laura said before her husband could speak. “We thought the man who took her from us was already convicted and in prison.”
