‘He didn’t speak to me, but he was given my name by the person who forwarded the email to my inbox. Give me just a second to bring it up… Okay, here it is. Are you ready?’

‘Fire away.’

‘It would appear that particular rug was ordered in 2015 by someone named Tatiana Salazar. The cost was $463,000 and was paid in full as is our policy before we begin any piece. When the order was complete, it was shipped to the Royal Gorge Hotel in Taos, New Mexico.’

Cord whistled low at the price.

‘Is there anything else I can help you with?’

‘Not at this moment. Thanks for taking my call, Andie.’

As soon as the call ended, both Cord and Alyssa were up and moving. ‘Who do you know in New Mexico who has been living in Connecticut and that could afford that price tag on a rug?’

‘Bartholomew Rosenfelt,’ he said.

Their lunch was left abandoned on the table as they sped over to Hotel Parq Central.

Sixteen minutes later, Alyssa pounded on the door of Bartholomew Rosenfelt’s room. She held her badge to the peephole, assuming he’d check it before opening. When he did, she didn’t give him a chance to speak first. ‘Royal Empire Textiles ring a bell for you?’

‘Manners dictate I invite you inside, but common sense prevents me from doing so.’

‘You know one of the best things about forensic science, Mr. Rosenfelt? You can glean almost anything from the tiniest fiber. Now, Royal Empire Textiles?’

‘Yes, I’ve heard of them. One of my personal decorators has purchased a number of items from them for various houses I own, and not just in New Mexico. And before I answer any more questions, I need to know if I need to contact my lawyer. My assistance only goes so far before self-preservation kicks in.’

‘Right now, we just need you to answer some questions.’

‘Then please come in, as we seem to be drawing an audience.’ He stepped back and swept his arm to usher them into a suite that was easily three times larger than the average hotel room.

‘This decorator… Is she still in your employ?’

‘Tatiana Salazar, and yes, she is, though she’s taken a brief leave of absence for the past four months as she deals with family issues.’

‘Family issues?’

‘I don’t know much, but what I do know is that Ms. Salazar was going through quite a nasty divorce after she discovered her husband was having an affair with one of her acquaintances. This came on the heels of her father dying and discovering the fortune she’d always thought she’d receive had been spent by her husband and his mistress. Mrs. Salazar’s husband was her father’s financial advisor, which is how they met.’

‘Fibers discovered on Meghan Jessup’s body were traced back to a rug priced at $463 grand and shipped to one Tatiana Salazar at the Royal Gorge Hotel in Taos.’

As soon as the words left her mouth, Rosenfelt stumbled backwards, the back of his knees hitting the leather sofa which he sank onto. ‘Steve Yarmini and Tatiana often work together, as she spends most of her time in New Mexico since she’s originally from here. That rug was ordered for one of my properties, but not in Taos. It was a place I purchased in 2015 – and sold to her when she expressed an interest in it. I allowed her to keep the rug as a housewarming gift.’