When he stayed quiet another moment, she finally asked, “Well?”
“It’s empty.”
Her eyes widened. What sense did that make?
She wanted to see this for herself.
She stepped closer and peered inside.
Just as Caleb had said, an empty room stared back.
It wasn’t just empty of people and dogs.
It was empty of all Valentina’s belongings.
The bed was made. The dresser drawers hung slightly open, their contents gone. There were no shoes by the door. No jackets on the hook. No toiletries in the bathroom.
Millie moved to the closet and pulled it open.
Her breath caught in her throat. “All of her stuff is gone.”
“Where could she be?” Caleb muttered, his eyes narrowing.
“I . . . I don’t know. Now that I think about it, I haven’t seen her since last night.”
“Me neither.”
“Exactly what was she up to when she came here?” Caleb murmured.
“And why would she leave without taking that box with the ID and cash in it?”
Those were excellent questions.
chapter
forty-one
Caleb rushed back downstairs,his boots pounding against the steps as he headed for the garage. Hamilton stayed on his heels, and Millie and Biscuit followed not far behind.
As they cleared the steps, the commotion must have drawn Naomi’s attention.
She stepped out of the office and met them in the kitchen.
“What’s going on?” she murmured.
Caleb didn’t answer. Not yet.
He wanted to see the garage first.
He yanked open the side door and flipped on the light.
Valentina’s red sedan was still parked in its spot right next to Millie’s. All the other cars were still there also.
His heart pounded in his ears at the sight.
He’d fully expected it to be gone.
She hadn’t driven away.
