Cesar slammed his phone down and cursed.
“Hey, man, what’s up?”
Cesar looked toward his office door to see his friend and partner in the business, Jessie, leaning against the doorjamb with concern written all over his face.
“I’ve been trying to get in touch with Amber for three days, and the housekeeper keeps giving me to Amber’s mom, who tells me that Amber isn’t there and is out with her boyfriend.”
Jessie’s eyebrows rose. “She has a boyfriend?”
“That’s just it. I’d bet money she doesn’t and that her mom is trying to make me think that so I’d lose interest in her.”
“I hate to say it, but if Amber were interested, she’d find a way to call you, wouldn’t she?”
“Yeah, I’ve thought of that too, but I’ve got a gut feeling something else is going on.”
“I’ve known you a long time, and I’d bet my life on your gut feelings. There’s got to be another way to get in touch with Amber.”
“I’m planning on dropping by today. Maybe if they saw me face to face, I’d get some answers out of them.”
“It’s worth a try. I can tell this Amber is special to you. I’ve never seen you like this over a woman before.”
“She is special and everything I’ve been looking for in a woman.”
“Then go and see what you can find out. Call me after to tell me how it’s going or if you need me for anything.”
Cesar stood. “I will.” He slapped Jessie on the shoulder as he passed him on the way out the door.
On the way to Amber’s house, he went through every scenario that could happen and tried to plan how he’d deal with it. He was hoping Amber would answer the door and then explain she hadn’t received the calls.
He’d always gone through everything in his mind. He’d never liked surprises because he’d had an uncertain childhood, and he never knew where he and his mother would end up or if his mother would come home at all. Cesar barely made it through high school and was still shocked he hadn’t flunked out. After school, he left his mother when he turned eighteen and went into the police academy. It was either that or the military, but not knowing where he’d end up every month was the deciding factor.
At least being a police officer, he knew he’d go home to the same apartment every day.
He pulled up into the circular driveway and parked. He glanced up as he got out of his car and was impressed. The house was huge and white, with giant pillars in the front. The lawn was immaculate and looked like it could be on a magazine cover.
The night he’d been there for the party, it had been dark, so he hadn’t seen the details of the house, plus he hadn’t paid attention because he’d been so anxious to see Amber again.
He knocked on the door and groaned when Bianca answered it and then smiled.
“What a nice surprise,” she said.
Cesar gritted his teeth. The last thing he wanted to do was deal with this viper.
“Hello. I’m here to see Amber.”
He caught the hard glint that came into the young woman’s eyes.
“I’m sorry, but she’s away with Edward.”
One of his eyebrows rose. “Her boyfriend?” he asked sarcastically.
“Soon to be fiancé.”
Cesar’s stomach tightened. Was it possible he read Amber all wrong?
“Who is it, dear?” her mother said as she walked toward the door.
“What a lovely surprise. Did you come to see Bianca?”
“No, I came to talk to Amber.”
“I’m sorry, that’s not possible, and I don’t think Edward would like other men to visit Amber. He’s very possessive.”
They were both very good actors because he couldn’t be one hundred percent certain they were lying.
“Is he the one that always takes her to Carmichaels?” he asked.
“Why, yes, he is,” Eldora said and smiled brightly.
There was a lie because Amber had never been to the restaurant before. Vincent would have mentioned seeing her there, and he could tell it was her first time there.
“I see.”
“Why don’t you come in for refreshments. I’m sure Bianca would enjoy spending time with you.”
He barely hid his grimace. “No, I’m sorry, but I need to get back to the office. Maybe some other time.”
“That would be lovely,” Bianca said. “Call me later, and we’ll set up a date.”
“We’ll see. Goodbye, ladies.”
Right before the door shut, he caught sight of an older woman in the background with a very worried look on her face before she turned and rushed off.
Cesar got into his car and drove away. He pulled over a few blocks away and called Amber’s house.
“Hello, this is the Warner residence. How may I help you?”
“My name is Cesar Hammond. I was just there trying to find Amber. I think you’re the one I saw in the background, and you looked worried. Can you tell me what’s got you upset?”
The woman paused long enough. He was worried he wouldn’t be able to get any answers from her.
“I haven’t seen Miss Amber for a few days. I know she’s home because her mother keeps having me make sandwiches for her, but Miss Eldora won’t let me go upstairs. I’m worried.”
“If I came back, would you let me in the backdoor and tell me which room is Amber’s?”
“I … I’m not sure…”
“How about this. You leave the back door unlocked and tell me now which room is hers, and I’ll check on her. That way, you can’t get into trouble.”
“I can do that, although, at this point, I don’t care if I’m fired. I know something is wrong.”
“I’ll find out for both of us.”