Ashley turned around. “Oh my God. Is Ernie going undercover now? He’s out of control. He can’t just stalk you. We’re not in middle school anymore.”
“Um, I’m pretty sure he can follow me because he’s a cop, but I don’t think it’s Ernie.”
She twisted around to take another look and her eyes widened. “Then who? How do you know they’re following us?”
“It’s the same car again.”
“What do you mean ‘again’?”
I alternated my gaze between the road ahead and my rearview mirror. “I’ve been noticing a white car following me for the last week or so. I’ve been so busy with work and the wedding that I’d forget about it . . . until I spotted it behind me again. I’d mentioned it to Milo. He didn’t think it was a concern.”
“Whoa. Hold up, girl! I don’t give a fig what Milo thought, but you’re telling me you’ve been followed for a week by the car that’s following us right now and you thought nothing of it?”
“I didn’t want to overreact. I didn’t think I was in danger. It reminded me of Ernie following me in high school and look how that turned out. Now he’s a cop. I’m not positive it’s the same car, but it sure looks like it.”
“That’s all you’ve got? You never got the license plate?”
“How could I? I was driving. You try. Easier said than done.”
Now that I focused on it, it was kind of scary to think someone was watching me.
Ashley twisted around in her seat to check on the car. “It’s too dark to get a good look. What’s the probability of another car making a U-turn right here in the middle of nowhere?”
“I don’t know. Why would anyone want to follow me? What should we do?”
She reached for her phone. “Maybe we should call Adrian again.”
I rolled my eyes. “We already have two calls into him that he hasn’t returned. I have to tell you, so far, I’m not impressed. Maybe we should just call SSPD proper and bypass Adrian.”
“Right. And risk getting someone like Ernie who’s eager to jump to the it’s-always-the-wife conclusion so they can easily solve the case? Adrian might not be perfect, but as long as I’ve known him, he’s always been a decent guy who’s fair and open-minded, in other words, pretty much the opposite of Ernie. And before you get all judgey, when was the last time you saw Adrian? I hadn’t seen him in ages until I ran into him at a restaurant the other day. He looks even better than I remembered. He was short in high school. Now he’s tall, in addition to dark and handsome.” She paused briefly to giggle. “Anyway, he probably hasn’t called you back because he’s busy catching bad guys. You don’t move through the ranks of the SSPD as quickly as he has without being a good cop.”
My aching body and fuzzy mind had drained me of the energy to argue and point out that I hadn’t mentioned Adrian’s looks, and that since Adrian and Ernie were both sergeants, either Ernie must have been doing something right or his bad behavior had been rewarded. Whatever. Milo vanishing had begun to take its toll. “Say no more. I’m convinced.” I pulled over to make the call.
Ashley screeched at me. “What the heck are you doing? Don’t stop! Are you crazy?”
“Why?”
“Because he can get us.”
I looked up to see the white car speeding off in the distance. “You mean the car that just took off?”
“Oh.” She chuckled. “Never mind.”
“So, it definitely was a guy? You got a look at him?”
“I think it was. Hard to tell because they were wearing a hoodie.”
“I’ll wait until we’re back at the hotel to call Adrian again. Just to make you happy.”
“Thank you.”
I turned onto the Promenade, the coast road that led back to the hotel and, eventually, to downtown Santa Sofia. The Hotel Santa Sofia was a five-star luxury resort destination for the rich and famous, but the city of Santa Sofia itself was somewhat more modest, having a small-town yet sophisticated charm. An artsy community located on the California coast, it was almost equidistant between Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo. Of its two main drags, the Avenue was where most of the commercial enterprises were situated. Originating in the surrounding foothills, the Avenue cut through the center of the upscale boutique-lined downtown, past the gourmet eateries and fancy galleries, and dead-ended at the beach. There, it intersected with the Promenade, the coast road where the Hotel Santa Sofia and its adjacent Beach Resort were located along the stretch that housed a few smaller boutique hotels. A bicycle lane ran parallel to the Promenade. As we barreled along, we passed cyclists and the last of the food trucks packing up for the day. Other than an outlying regional mall and a smattering of strip malls, there wasn’t a lot else going on in Santa Sofia. If you were looking for excitement, you’d have better luck a short distance south in nearby Santa Barbara.
Back in the hotel parking lot, Ashley groaned as she got out of the car. I wasn’t the only one mentally and physically spent after our fruitless search. We both trudged up the spiral staircase to my suite in silence with slumped shoulders.
When I opened the door, Philip was curled up in an armchair checking his phone. “Hello, my dears! Any news?”
Ashley filled him in on our maze findings.
He sprung up and gave us each a big hug. “You poor dears. I’ve called all the area hospitals. No reports of Milo anywhere.”
A wave of emotion suddenly hit me again, and I fought back tears.
Philip guided me to a chair. “Oh my goodness, my darling. You’ve been on a roller coaster of emotions today. You must be exhausted. Come. Sit. Have some tea and something to eat.”
A white ceramic teapot emblazoned with the hotel’s iconic gold HSS and hummingbird logo, a smaller pot for water, a large creamer, and four cups were arrayed on a large tray set on a glass-topped table. On the desk, a fruit platter and a plate with cheese and crackers lay untouched. Philip had totally tidied up the suite. The last time I’d seen my wedding gown, it had been on the bed where I’d tossed it when I changed. Thankfully, Philip had garment-bagged both my wedding gown and Ashley’s bridesmaid gown so I didn’t have to see them. Philip followed my gaze. He gave me another bear hug.
I punched in the SSPD number on my phone. “I’m going to try Adrian one more time.”
This time I reached him and put the call on speakerphone. I brought him up to speed about everything I could think of relating to Milo’s disappearance. Just hearing Adrian’s confident voice calmed me down.
“We’ll put out a BOLO on Milo’s car.”
“BOLO?”
“Be on the lookout. We’ll keep a lookout for anything related.”
“Got it.”
“I’ll let you know what time tomorrow I can get over to the hotel to take a look at the maze and the parking lot. It would be preferable if you could meet me and show me exactly where you found the phone and tire tracks.”
“Okay.”
“If you’re followed again, next time try to get the license plate number or take a photo of the car that was following you.”
Ashley threw me a smug told-you-so smile and nodded knowingly.
“I’ll try. It all happened so fast. It was gone before either of us had a chance to.”
Ashley gave me the side-eye.
“Meanwhile, come down to the station tomorrow morning, and I’ll help you file an official missing person’s report. And bring Milo’s phone.”
Adrian advised me to keep calling around to all the hospitals in the area. “We’ve done everything we can at this point. Now all we need to do is just sit tight and hope Milo contacts you. And try not to worry.”
“Unfortunately, I think that’s impossible right now. Thanks so much.”
I glanced at my phone’s screen with all the messages. “Ugh! I can’t deal with everyone’s questions right now when I don’t know the answers myself.”
Philip grabbed my phone and perused the list of callers. “I’ll handle the phone calls and relatives, Tory. You and Ashley focus on the search.”
I hugged him. “Thanks, Philip. You’re a doll.” I wrapped my arm around Ashley’s and pulled her toward the door. “Let’s go to the security office and try to get the video surveillance tapes.”
Ashley tugged at her reception dress. “I need to go back to my room to ditch this dress first. Be right back.”
My eyes must have revealed my irrational panic at the thought of her leaving.
Ashley patted my hand. “Promise.”
“Be careful, please.”
“I will. You should change into more comfy clothes too.”
“Okay. But hurry.”
She nodded and gave me a wink.
I rummaged through my suitcase. No long pants, only a pair of shorts. I grabbed them and a top and headed to the bathroom. After I changed, I sipped some tea Philip had poured for me. The warm liquid was comforting and perked me up. True to her word, Ashley was back in no time, dressed in skinny jeans and a sweatshirt. She made a beeline to the desk and started to graze on cheese and fruit.
I grabbed a long cardigan and pushed my arms through the sleeves. “Okay. Ready? Let’s go.”
Philip touched my arm gently. “When was the last time you ate, my dear? Eat something. Please!”
I popped a couple of grapes in my mouth to appease him and gave him a quick hug before going out the door.
The Spanish-styled main building and bungalows of the Hotel Santa Sofia luxury resort were set on a sprawling twenty-five-acre site with lush gardens and lawns. In addition to its white stucco façades and red-tiled roofs, the property was peppered with colorful accent tiles, carved wood trim, wrought iron, and numerous fountains and courtyards.
Ashley and I jogged along the main walkway to the lobby that led us past one of the pools, a courtyard, and a fountain with a cupid holding a fish. The tiled lobby of the main building had a high-vaulted ceiling and was flanked on one side by a casual restaurant, El Colibri, that shared a brick patio overlooking the Pacific Ocean with Burbujitas, a cocktail lounge. The Mar Vista, an expensive seafood restaurant noted for its stellar chef and a Sunday brunch buffet to die for, was located on the other side of the lobby and featured an ocean-facing veranda that stretched across the front of the hotel.
An attractive young black woman was on duty at the front desk. She wore a dark green blazer with the iconic Hotel Santa Sofia hummingbird insignia on the pocket. She politely directed us to the hotel security headquarters, down a short hallway from the lobby.
“Security” was painted in black block letters on a frosted glass-paneled door that opened onto an outer office, where a stocky female security guard sat behind a large wooden desk. She had tight blonde braids bobby-pinned in a tidy crisscross fashion across her head. According to the tag pinned to her pocket, her name was Officer B. Brockett.
“Good evening! How can I help you?”
“Hi. My husband is missing and I was hoping we could take a look at the video from the security camera located in the parking lot on the south wing near the Secret Maze.”
Ashley chimed in. “Actually, we’d love to see footage from any and all the cameras you have.”
The friendly smile disappeared from Officer Brockett’s face. “Not the missing groom from the wedding?”
I mustered a weak smile. “I’m afraid so.”
She shook her head and clicked her teeth. “Sorry. Yeah, I heard about that.” She clicked her teeth again. “We can only release our videos if the authorities request them.”
“I’ve already reported my husband’s disappearance to the SSPD. Well, actually to my friend who’s an SSPD cop. You might know him, Adrian Ramirez?”
The woman guffawed in delight. “You know A-Ram? He’s an old buddy of mine from the academy.”
I wondered momentarily why their career courses had diverged in different directions but told myself I could try to find out another time, in less urgent circumstances.
Officer Brockett stared into midair, clearly reveling in her memories. “Ha, ha. Yep. Good times.” She turned her attention back to me and lowered her head conspiratorially and signaled us to lean in. “I’ll tell you what. Rather than wait for SSPD’s formal request, I’d be happy to send A-Ram the video. How’s that sound?”
Her unexpectedly helpful response caught me off guard. “Oh, that would be wonderful! Thank you so much.” I gushed words of gratitude a while longer, overcome with emotion. I loved this woman for being so nice. “I’m sorry. It’s been a hard day.”
Her eyes creased softly and her lips melted into a sympathetic smile. I felt she looked at me the way one looked at a rescue puppy—any shortcomings were overlooked because of its sad plight. “My pleasure. I’ll try to get it over to A-Ram tonight. Good luck!”
I left the security office feeling more hopeful.
Ashley whispered as we walked away, “A-Ram? Puh-leese!”
“Do I detect some jealousy?”
“Who? Me? Nah. I just think it’s hilarious. I haven’t heard that nickname since high school.”
We checked out of our rooms and wound our way to the parking lot through the Secret Maze. I swung my suitcase and garment bags into the back of my SUV and climbed into the driver’s seat deep in thought. I sighed with relief as I buckled up, happy to be heading to a reunion with Iris and the comfort of home. But I was sad to leave without my new husband. I called my next-door neighbor, Katie, who was pet-sitting Iris, to let her know I’d be home soon. Ashley followed me in her black BMW as we returned to my cozy bungalow on Mariposa Drive on the outskirts of town. My home’s architectural style mirrored that of the Hotel Santa Sofia’s private bungalows, as did its drought-tolerant landscaping, one of the reasons I bought it four years ago. I also loved its location—only a couple of blocks from the beach.
My headlights lit the stucco and tile roof of the garage as I pulled up in my driveway. Katie must have been on the lookout from inside her bungalow. Her front door flew open as I parked and she hurried across her lawn, holding Iris. Katie handed Iris, limbs flailing, to me through my open window.
“Hi, Iris! I’m happy to see you, too, sweetie. Thanks so much for watching her. Can you say thank you to Aunt Katie for keeping such a good eye on you?”
Iris was on her haunches, trying to lick my face.
Katie giggled. “My pleasure. Any time. She’s such a good girl, aren’t you, Iris?”
Iris wiggled around in agreement.
Katie started to leave. “Any word on Milo?”
I frowned. “Not yet, unfortunately.”
She gave me an exaggerated sad face. “Well, I hope he turns up safe soon.”
“Me too. Thanks.”
I slung my handbag over my shoulder, gripped Iris, and opened the car door. Ashley parked on the street and reached my car as I struggled out of my seat. She helped me unload my suitcase and two garment bags from the back of the car and carry them inside.
Iris bucked to be let down. “Wanna go outside?”
Ashley giggled, watching Iris howl approval and dance around my legs as I walked over to the back door.
“Off you go. Burn off some energy.”
I’d barely cracked open the door before she’d shimmied through it like a contortionist and zoomed away.
I turned around to inspect my home, finally resting my gaze on Ashley. “I wonder if Milo left anything here to indicate that something was going on.”
“Hmm. Like what?” Ashley parked her purse on the kitchen counter and hopped on a stool.
“Oh, I don’t know, maybe a business card, a receipt.”
I glanced around the house. All of Milo’s possessions that were kept at my place, his toothbrush, some clothes, some shoes, seemed to be have been undisturbed and in the exact same spot he’d left them before the wedding.
I shook my head. “It doesn’t look like he came back here. Let’s go over to his place and check things out. I should check on Otis anyway.”
Otis was Milo’s black cat. He’d shown up one day, out of the blue, nibbling on some goldfish crackers left outside on a deck table. I’d urged Milo to name him Otis after one of my favorite childhood films. I was well aware that movie Otis was a pug, and fiancé Milo most certainly wasn’t an orange tabby cat. But, come on. How often did a Milo and Otis name pairing opportunity come around?
Iris trotted back inside, panting, and made a beeline to her bowl. While she lapped water voraciously, I scooped an eighth of a cup of kibble into her other bowl. Two years prior, Iris had been a parasite-ridden rescue dog, orphaned when her owner died. She didn’t bark for the first two months I had her. Today, she sported a thick, shiny coat, along with a healthy bark. After she finished off her dinner with a Greenie, I broke the news I was leaving again. Iris paced around nervously and jumped on the back of the sofa to watch me through the big front window.
As I followed Ashley out the door, I turned to Iris. “I’ll be back soon.”
Ashley and I drove in my Lexus a few blocks west to Milo’s town house overlooking the ocean. Moonlit waves licked the shore and sea spray was diffused in the air. I used my key to open the door.
I ventured over the threshold, holding my breath, still in shock my wedding night had taken such an unexpected and surreal turn. The open floor plan provided an overall view of the whole first floor. I sighed, relieved to not find Milo’s body anywhere. His computer was on the kitchen island. I opened it and typed in the password, my birthday.
After a few minutes of skimming his emails, a soft meow broke my concentration. Otis had graced us with his presence and was rubbing against my leg.
“Hi, Otis. I bet you miss your daddy, huh? Don’t worry. We’re working hard to find him, aren’t we, Ashley?”
Ashley shrugged and played along. “Um, yeah, we are, Otis.” She leaned over my shoulder. “Find anything interesting?”
“No.”
Ashley snooped around. “I’ve only been here a couple of times before, but everything looks normal to me. It’s neat and orderly. Why don’t you take his computer and you can look at it later.”
“Good idea. I agree. It doesn’t look like he returned here, but we haven’t checked upstairs yet.”
I took a deep breath and tiptoed up the circular metal staircase to the upper level. A white down comforter was spread out over his king bed as I assumed he left it the previous evening before he came over to my house. A circular indentation still warm told me where Otis had been curled up prior to our arrival. Nothing was glaringly awry here.
Ashley ambled over to the bathroom and ventured in. She emerged seconds later, her arms stretched out in cop mode, a long-standing parody we performed, whether to signal safety in dark alleys or spider eradication in bathtubs, that never failed to amuse us both. “Clear.”
A laugh escaped my lips. “Thanks. I needed a good laugh. That one never gets old.”
We went back downstairs. I retrieved Otis’s carrier from a closet and a bath towel from a cabinet. I unzipped the carrier and nonchalantly walked toward Otis with the towel. In a quick two-step maneuver, I threw the towel over the cat then bundled him into the carrier, towel and all. I zipped it up as a muffled meow bellowed from inside.
“What was that?” Ashley chuckled.
“That was the element of surprise.” I picked up the carrier in one hand and the computer in the other. “Do me a favor and grab his food, please.”
As we headed out the door, both of us with our hands full, I glanced on the ground. “Oh, no.”
“What?”
“Milo’s boutonniere.”
“Yeah, what about it?”
I put down the carrier and bent down to pick up the boutonniere. “What’s it doing here?”
Ashley sucked in air and her eyes widened with surprise. “He came back here?”
“Sure looks like it.” I dug my phone out of my purse and added boutonniere to my list of clues. I felt less helpless having a list. It gave me the perception of control in the emotional chaos his disappearance had created.
We packed my car with Milo’s computer, Otis in his carrier, a bag of kitty kibble, his litter box, and two bags of litter without uttering a word.
I closed the hatchback. “I don’t know what to make of it. If he came here, that means he’s okay, right?”
“Unless someone else dropped it here.”
I shook my head in disbelief. “That doesn’t make any sense, though.”
“Make sure to mention it to Adrian tomorrow.”
I locked up Milo’s town house and we drove back to my house, with Otis wailing in the backseat the whole way. Just as I pulled up to drop Ashley off at her car, Adrian called on my car speakerphone.
“I wanted to let you know I got the hotel surveillance video. I see you met my old pal Barbie.”
“Barbie?”
“Yeah, Barb Brockett, a.k.a. Barbie.” He laughed. “Everyone at the academy had a nickname.”
“Like A-Ram, huh?”
He exploded with laughter. “Man, no one’s called me that in ages.”
Ashley piped in. “Except Barbie.”
Adrian chuckled. “Yeah. Payback for the rest of us calling her Barbie.”
“Before I let you go, we were just at Milo’s place picking up his cat and computer and found something odd—Milo’s boutonniere.”
“From the wedding?”
“Uh-huh. Do you think that means he’s okay?”
“I honestly can’t say at this point what its significance is. Let’s just call it another piece of the puzzle. Oh, and bring the computer tomorrow too. I’ll have my tech person take a look at it.”
“Okay. Anyway, thanks so much, Adrian. See you in the morning.”
Ashley gathered her handbag and opened the door. “That was quick. Props to Barbie for keeping her word.”
“Can you come with me in the morning to file the missing person’s report?”
Ashley smiled. “One of the perks of being your own boss is not having to ask permission to take time off. And tomorrow’s Sunday, anyway. How about I pick you up around eight and we can go for coffee first?”
“Sounds like a plan. See you in the morning.”