All I've Never Wanted(124)
“Her parents were no help, right?” Adriana asked quietly, directing her question at Roman.
His jaw tensed. “No. They were out.” He pressed a hand to his throbbing temple. “Turns out practically everyone in her damned neighborhood was out at some exhibition. No one saw or heard a thing.”
Adriana’s brow creased. “Do you think they’re connected?”
Roman didn’t have to ask her what she meant. He flicked his eyes over to Carlo, who hadn’t moved, but it was clear he was listening to every word.
“I don’t know. Maybe.” Suddenly a cold feeling swept over him. “You don’t think that Rico…” His voice trailed off, and everyone in the room stiffened as they looked at one another.
No one wanted to voice what the others were thinking.
Finally, Carlo spoke up. “I don’t know.” His tone was flat. “He said he’s changed, but with him, who knows? He did seem pretty interested in Maya when she was staying at my house.”
Roman practically saw red. “I swear, if it’s him, I’m going to rip his guts out,” he spat, his hands curling into fists again. “Damn it, Carlo, if you hadn’t brought her to your house, this probably wouldn’t have happened!”
Carlo glared at him. “Well, if you weren’t acting like such an ass, then I wouldn’t have had to get her out of here!”
“Are you saying it’s my fault?!”
“I—“
A shrill whistle interrupted their argument. Parker and Zack flinched while Roman and Carlo fell silent, staring guiltily at an incensed Adriana.
“Seriously, guys? Are you really going to do this right now?” she demanded, sparks flying from her aqua eyes. “Arguing is not going to get us any closer to finding Maya. Honestly, you two should be ashamed of yourselves!”
Roman and Carlo both flushed, neither used to being upbraided.
“I’m sorry, Adri, you’re right.” Carlo sighed. “And sorry, Rome. I shouldn’t have taken out my stress on you.”
“It’s ok. I guess I was at fault too,” Roman admitted grudgingly.
They were all silent again.
“What if we come up with a suspects list?” Parker suggested out of the blue. “I mean, let’s say she really did get kidnapped—“
At this, Venice started crying again, and Zack shot Parker a death glare, which he ignored. “Valesca isn’t exactly a crime hotspot,” Parker continued. “I’m willing to bet this isn’t a run-of-the-mill kidnap. They know her. Which means she must know them too. Who would have a motive for kidnapping her?”
Roman’s brow knit in thought. Parker had a point.
“But what if it’s a ransom thing?” Zack ventured. “It’s public knowledge now that she’s dating Roman. Maybe the kidnappers want money or something.”
“That would make sense, except I haven’t gotten a ransom, or any communication from the kidnappers, for that matter.” Frustration mounted inside him. He almost wished he’d gotten a ransom. At least then, he’d know what the hell was going on. The uncertainty was killing him.
“Maybe—maybe we should call the police.” Venice’s voice trembled. “Isn’t that what they’re here for?”
“Please.” Roman snorted. “Trust me, if my PI can’t get the job done, then the rinky-dink local police certainly won’t come close, especially not with all the extra paperwork and red tape and their damned procedures.”
“Ok, ok. Let’s not go off on tangents.” Carlo held up his hands. “Let’s do what Parker said for now. Can we think of anyone who has anything against Maya?”
They all looked at each other.
“Well, considering the fact she’s dating Roman, basically every girl in Valesca,” Adriana said flatly. “Which isn’t helpful.”
Roman groaned, kicking the leg of a nearby side table in an effort to vent his anger. The delicate wood wobbled dangerously before steadying itself.
Adriana ignored his mini-fit. “Let’s open it up a bit. What about people she knows?”
“She doesn’t hang out with that many people,”Venice pointed out. “Mostly just us.”
Everyone exchanged uneasy glances.
“Rico, I guess,” Carlo said gruffly. “They’ve met a few times, and I can’t say my brother’s the most trustworthy person on the planet.”
“Ok. Who else?” Adriana stared at them. “Think, people! I’m sure Maya interacts with more than half a dozen people in this town. Any past crushes, friends, boyfriends?”
Suddenly, Roman’s shoulders tensed. He opened his mouth to speak, but Zack and Venice beat him to it.
“James.”
Silence fell.
“James.” A sour taste filled Roman’s mouth at his name. “Maya does hang out with him sometimes. But he’s not from Valesca.”
Adriana narrowed her eyes. “Wait, what did you say his last name was?”
There was a short pause. “Wasn’t it—Henderson? Or something?” Venice tried. “Something beginning with an H, I’m sure.”
“I think she said Holtzman at Thanksgiving,” Carlo said quietly.
“Holtzman. Holtzman, Holtzman.” Adriana’s face screwed up in concentration. “Why is that so familiar?” She looked at them. “Am I the only one who thinks so?”