Colorado Bodyguard Read Free Page B

with all that.”
    â€œShe never came to us, or to local law enforcement with that information,” Graham said.
    â€œMaybe she never had time,” Sophie said.
    â€œIn the course of your research, did you see the newspaper articles about your sister’s disappearance?” Graham asked. “Written by a local reporter who’s taken an interest in the story.”
    â€œEmma Wade. Yes, I read the stories. I plan to talk to her, but I came to you first.”
    Rand watched the captain closely. Only those who knew him well would register the slight flush that reddened the tips of his ears at the mention of reporter Emma Wade—soon to be Emma Ellison. Her reporting on Lauren Starling’s disappearance had put her at odds with the gruff commander at first, but now they were engaged.
    â€œMs. Wade came to us with her concerns about your sister and we have followed every lead,” Graham said. “But there’s nothing there.” He slid back his chair and stood. “I’m sorry, Ms. Montgomery, I wish I had better news for you. If you find out something more, don’t hesitate to contact us.”
    The others started moving chairs and rising also. Carmen gave Sophie a sympathetic look and patted her shoulder. Sophie’s expression clouded and Rand braced himself for a storm—of tears or anger, he wasn’t sure which.
    But she was stronger—and more determined—than he’d given her credit for. “Wait,” she said. “There’s one other thing that might tie her to this area—to your jurisdiction.”
    Graham paused on his way to the door. “What’s that?”
    She dug in her purse and held up a small rectangle of white cardboard. “I found this in her apartment. It was tucked into a book beside the bed—the police said they searched her apartment, but they obviously didn’t feel this was significant.”
    Randall took the piece of thin cardboard and stared at the crisp black letters on its glossy finish.
    â€œWhat is it?” Simon demanded.
    â€œIt’s a business card.” He turned it over and over, then looked up at his coworkers. “A business card for Richard Prentice.”

Chapter Two
    Sophie tried to read the look that passed between the officers. The business card definitely interested them. “Do you know Richard Prentice?” she asked. “Have you asked him if he knows anything about my sister’s disappearance?”
    â€œYou don’t know Prentice?” Rand Knightbridge asked. “Your sister didn’t mention him?”
    â€œShe never said anything about him. And I’m not from here, so I don’t keep up with local people and events. I looked him up on the internet, but all I learned is that he’s a very rich businessman and he has an estate near the park. That seems significant, don’t you think? Maybe she came here to see him.”
    â€œWhere are you from?” Captain Ellison asked.
    â€œMadison, Wisconsin. Tell me about Richard Prentice.”
    â€œLike you said, he’s a rich guy who owns a mansion near here,” Officer Woolridge said, his sour expression making clear his opinion of Prentice.
    â€œWe should talk to him,” Sophie said. “Maybe he knows why Lauren was here. Maybe she interviewed him for a story.”
    Again, Rand and the captain exchanged looks. “What is it?” she demanded. “What aren’t you telling me?”
    â€œPrentice is an agitator,” Woolridge said. “He likes to make a lot of noise in the press and try to provoke a reaction from people he’s trying to manipulate.”
    â€œWhat kind of reaction?”
    â€œHe wants money,” Rand said. “His specialty is buying historically or environmentally sensitive property at rock-bottom prices, then threatening to destroy the property or to use it in some offensive way if the government, or sometimes a private conservation