Pamela Gray stood in the entry beside a round table that held a vase of fresh flowers that filled the narrow room with their sweet scent. Beside the vase lay the laptop case Mrs. Gray had carried. Beyond her was a sitting area, probably reserved for guests. On the far side, a wall of windows looked out on the small garden beyond.

"May I help you?" She still wore her coat. Nate had never met her, but having seen Charles, he'd expected her to look older. Perhaps she'd had a facelift. Her eyes were dark brown and deep set. Her skin was darker than he'd expected, as if beneath the aristocratic facade, she had Italian or Hispanic roots. Her face wore a polite scowl.

A noise shifted his attention to the staircase that led to the second floor. A Hispanic woman descended the last few steps and froze. He'd assumed Rosa was older, but by the look of fear on her face, this young woman was the housekeeper Marisa had just spoken to. She wore a tan uniform that looked more like hospital scrubs than a maid's outfit. Nate flicked his gaze away from Rosa. He wouldn't give her away.

"I'm Nate Boyle. This is Marisa Vega."

Her eyes narrowed as she studied Marisa. "You're the one who stole the money."

"I didn't," Marisa said. "And I need your help."

"Why should I help you?" She looked about to order them out when Marisa interrupted.

"My daughter's been kidnapped."

Mrs. Gray turned to her. "And this concerns me how?"

"The kidnappers are demanding the money they think I stole. But I didn't steal it. I'd give anything to get my daughter back. Anything."

"Mrs. Gray," Nate said, "we were hoping maybe you could help. And maybe we can give you some information, too."

"What do I care? My ex-husband's in prison, and I've moved on. If you'll excuse me." She pointed to the door. "I've just arrived, and I don't have time for this."

"We just need five minutes."

"Sorry. I can't help you."

Marisa stepped closer to the woman. "My sister was murdered last night."

Pamela Gray's eyebrows shot up, and she stepped back. "Murder? Kidnapping? All the more reason for me not to get involved."

"It has to do with Charles and the money that was stolen."

She regarded Marisa with narrowed eyes. "You really didn't take it?"

Marisa was about to answer, but Mrs. Gray continued.

"I knew it. Charles knew the feds were coming. I bet you anything he transferred it overseas to some secret bank account. It was either him or that whore he was sleeping with. Or maybe one of the other whores. There were so many."

"That's not what happened." Nate let the words hang in the air.

She looked at him and licked her lips.

"I can tell you who stole the money from the G&K business account," Nate said, "if you agree to help us."