“Did you call the police?”
Blanca nodded. “They said she’s an adult and has a right to disappear if she wants to. Told me to call back if she didn’t turn up after a day or two.”
“Where was she going to investigate?”
“To Pebble Beach. She wanted to talk to the ex-husband, Benjamin Philips. She knows a guy who caddies at the Pebble Beach golf club, and she thought maybe she could get Philips to talk to her.”
“About what?”
“I’m not sure…” Blanca lowered her voice. “Maybe about the murder? Or his development plans? But I don’t really know.”
Harper registered the tapping of high heels on tile and saw Naomi Ruger clacking her way toward them.
“She’s his girlfriend,” Blanca whispered.
Harper looked at the Nemesis.Worth a shot.
“Hello, Dr. Ruger,” said Harper. “Do you have a moment to chat? All four of us.”
Naomi’s gaze flickered over Blanca and Aurelio, and her smooth brow was marred with a small frown. “Yes?”
“Why don’t we go into my office?”
“It’s about Jenny Enos,” Harper said after they had all sat down. “She went to meet with Benjamin Philips, and Blanca and Aurelio haven’t seen her since.”
“What did she want to talk to Ben about?” Naomi demanded.
Blanca wilted. “She just, like, wanted to talk to him? About his development project, and the rumors of toxic contamination on the old Fort Ord? Like, for the podcast? But now I can’t get hold of her, so I thought…”
“You see?” Naomi said, glaring at Harper. “This is what happens when you come waltzing in with all your ridiculous ghost stories. Ruined a perfectly good science major. Now Jenny wants to be a podcaster, of all things.”
“I’m not sure that had much to do withme,” protested Harper. “Jenny and Blanca were doing the podcast long before I arrived.”
“Totally. Please, Dr. Ruger,” Blanca intervened. “If you could call him, maybe? Just to see if he’s seen her? I wouldn’t ask, but Jenny’s, like, real serious about the podcast. She isn’t one to just disappear.”
Naomi looked at Harper. “Well? What do you think?”
“I think Jenny is a responsible young woman—ambitious and intelligent.” Harper decided not to mention Jennytrespassing and taking part in a séance. “And unlikely to take off without telling someone, especially her best friends.”
“Very well,” Naomi said, tapping her phone with a French-tipped finger. “The truth is, Ben’s been acting wonky for days now. If he’s involved with something untoward, I’ll kill him myself.”
Benjamin Philips did not pick up. Naomi left a voicemail that Harper, at least, would be afraid not to return. Dr. Naomi Ruger was not a woman to be gainsaid. Blanca and Harper shared a smile at her tone.
“He’ll call back,” said Naomi, slipping her phone back into her leather bag. “I’ll let you know what he says. In the meantime, you two should check with some of your classmates. No offense, but some of them are pretty sketchy.”
Blanca got to her feet. “Okay. Thanks, Professors.”
Aurelio stood and managed a quiet “Thank you” before scooting out the door after Blanca.
After they left, Harper said, “Naomi, would you be willing to look at some lab notes for me, and give me your opinion?”
“What kind of lab notes?”
“Old ones. Really old.”
Sometimes friend, sometimes foe.
There are times she gets so angry that she smashes the very mirrors
