Page 8 of Forbidden Whispers
Noah’s heart sank. “I’m going to jail, aren’t I.” It wasn’t a question.
A small smile tugged at one corner of Hugo’s mouth. “Probably not today, hermano.”
“Is that because of the rule about waiting twenty-four hours before someone is officially considered missing?” Maggie asked.
Hugo’s smile broadened. “That’s a bit of a myth, Ms. Milena.”
“Please, just call me Maggie. And really?”
“Yes, Maggie. While it’s true that a police department may wait to take your report about a suspected missing person, that doesn’t apply to people suspected of being a victim of foul play, which is potentially what we’re dealing with here.”
Noah groaned.
Hugo gripped Noah’s shoulder and gave him a reassuring look. “Don’t worry. At least not yet. Like I said, there’s a lot of things I’m seeing here that just don’t add up. For all we know, Valentina left of her own accord. But first, we need some officers to really comb this place for evidence. The police will also contact Valentina’s family and friends to see if anyone has heard from her.”
Hugo’s gaze swung between them, “As a matter of fact, have either of you tried calling her?”
“I don’t have her number,” Noah mumbled.
Hugo looked confused. “I thought you had a date with her last night?”
“I did, but...” Noah’s face reddened. “It was a setup by a matchmaking service.”
“My matchmaking service,” Maggie said. “Matches by Maggie. But it’s our policy not to share personal information such as phone numbers or addresses with our clients. We simply arrange their first date, and after that, it’s up to them what they feel comfortable sharing.”
“Ahhh.” Hugo’s face cleared.
“I have her number,” Maggie added, pulling her cell phone out of her purse. She made a few taps on her screen and then held the phone to her ear.
Her hopeful expression turned to dismay a few seconds later. “Her voicemail is full.”
With a grim expression, Hugo pulled out his own cell phone and placed a call to the Whispering Pines Police Department.
It wasn’t long before two officers arrived. Noah, Maggie, and Hugo answered all their questions. It was particularly frustrating for Noah to realize how little he could recall about the previous evening, including how he’d ended up in Valentina’s condo.
After they were questioned, the officers had the three of them wait near the entrance while they examined each room, took photographs, lifted fingerprints, and packaged up the wine and glasses.
Finally, the officers finished and everyone stepped outside while one officer placed a bright yellow police banner over the condo’s front door.
A feeling of unreality washed over Noah as one officer told him not to leave town. He let Noah know they might need to bring him into the station for more questioning. Then the officers left them all to go speak with the management team of the complex.
“Look, I’ve got to go pick up Ani,” Hugo said, glancing at his watch. “But I’ll keep you updated on the investigation.”
Noah’s expression was bleak.
Hugo gave him a pat on the back. “Don’t sweat it, Noah. Our police force may be small, but they’re a smart bunch. I’m sure they’ll find Valentina alive and well.”
“And if they don’t?”
“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. In the meantime, you should probably go get checked by a doctor to figure out why you can’t remember anything. Maybe it has something to do with that bruise on your face. Maybe you hit your head last night.”
“Yeah, I guess,” Noah mumbled. Then Hugo bid them both farewell and headed toward the parking lot.
Maggie turned to face Noah. “Hugo’s right,” she said, a look of concern on her face.
“I know. But, Maggie, all I want to do right now is find Valentina.”
“I get it. I feel the same way.”