"Don't repeat yourself." She turned back to Nate. "And what do you need me for?"

He could dance around it, but perhaps the straightforward approach was best. "When Charles's money was taken, a few people believed you'd taken it. That wouldn't have been a felony, of course, because it was your money, too. But by not telling anybody, you didn't have to pay taxes on it, and who knew how much the feds would confiscate—"

"Charles protected our personal assets. Much of his money was untouchable, thanks to great lawyers and accountants."

The benefits of the rich. "If we can figure out who has Charles's money, we can negotiate to get Marisa's daughter back." He pulled out his phone, tapped on the photos, and quickly navigated away from the one of the Gray family, swiping until he found a photograph of Ana, the sun shining off her black hair, her gaze one of wonder as she studied a flower they'd discovered on their walk. He leaned toward Pamela to show her. "That's Ana. She's four years old, incredibly precocious, speaks English and Spanish. She loves every kind of flower, but her favorites are the blue ones."

Pamela studied the photograph. "Who's her father?"

Marisa's voice was clear when she answered. "She's adopted. Her parents abandoned her at the orphanage where I work in Mexico."

The older woman looked Marisa up and down. "I see."

Nate met Marisa's eyes and nodded before he turned to Pamela. "If you have any information that'll help us rescue Ana, we'd be eternally grateful." An uncomfortable silence filled the space.

Finally Pamela said, "I have no idea what happened to Charles's money." She glanced at Marisa. "Maybe your sister stole that money, too."

"She was one of the kidnappers looking for it."

The woman's eyebrows lifted. "You don't garner much loyalty, do you, Miss Vega?"

"My sister was disillusioned. And she's paid the price with her life."

"As you said." She shook her head. "I'm sorry about your sister and your daughter. I really am. I wish I could help you."

Nate was about to press her further when Marisa stood. "Thank you for your time."

Pamela seemed just as surprised as he was. She stood and shook Marisa's hand. "I wish you luck finding your daughter."

"If you think of anything, please call us." Marisa turned to Nate. "Would you give her your phone number?"

He pulled a business card out of his pocket and handed it to her. "I'm no longer with the Times, so that number won't work, but my cell's on there. Anything you remember, anything at all, please give us a call."

Chapter 22

MARISA ALL BUT RAN to the truck. It was all she could do to contain her excitement while they'd questioned Mrs. Gray.

Nate climbed in beside her. "What was that all about?"

"The man in the picture. Richard. He's the same guy from Jessica's house."

Nate's eyes narrowed. "From Jessica's—"