And what about Candy Whitmore? Callaway said. Her phone records indicate shes a frequent guest of yours.

Roth blinked. Candace? Yes, shes an assistant of mine. Knows the area very wellmuch better than I do. She gets me things sometimes.

What, Callaway joked lightly, like you find theres a hole in your sock and she runs to Walmart to get another pair?

The man gave Callaway a thin, bloodless smile. Is she in some kind of trouble, officer?

Agent, Harley corrected. Were with the FBI, not the local police.

My mistake. I suppose I havent had enough dealings with your agency to know the lingo. The only things I know about what you do come from movies. Is it like the moviescar chases, manhunts, and all the rest?

Sometimes, Harley answered, looking straight into his eyes. There was something unwavering in his gaze that suggested to Harley he was not a man used to backing down or being refused. He was used to having the world at his fingertips.

I wonder if his appetite runs toward young women, she mused.

She decided to get the conversation back on track. But we were talking about Candy. Do you know where we can find her?

Did you try her house? he answered.

Believe it or not, we looked there already. She wasnt home.

The man leaned back and shook his head slowly. Well, she certainly isnt here. So Im afraid I cant help you with that.

The two agents looked at one another. Harley sensed Roth was tiring of this conversation. He liked playing the magnanimous host, not the suspected killer. If this conversation went on much longer, he might decide they werent so welcome, after all.

She decided to take a different approach.

Mind if we look around? she said. It was a long drive out, and wed appreciate the chance to stretch our legs.

Be my guest, Roth said. But be careful walking around. Its easy to get lost here.

He smiled. The smile seemed to freeze there for a few seconds, lingering just a little longer than was natural.

Back in the villa, they descended to the first floor before pausing at the pair of glass doors leading out into the pool area.

Stretch our legs, eh? Callaway repeated.

Harley shrugged. And maybe talk to a few people, see if anyone remembers Candy. He cant get upset with us for being friendly, can he?

As they split up to begin interviewing the guests, Harley couldnt help thinking there had been an underlying threat in the billionaires words.

I wonder if those three young women got lost here, too, she thought.

CHAPTER NINETEEN