Page 46 of Relentless
“She bought two sets of very high-end sheets and a duvet cover,” Kara said.
“How high-end?”
“Fifteen hundred dollars.”
Ethan let out a low whistle. “With my mom being an interior decorator, I’m well aware of how expensive everyday products can get. But that surprises even me. What do you think makes them worth that much?”
“I think the more relevant question is why she would spend that much money on them,” Kara said. “She’s not really the sort to go for that kind of thing. Our provisions in the field are sparse, and she’s never complained. Even if she wanted something on the nicer end of the spectrum, she could do that with a couple hundred bucks.”
“Gift maybe?” he suggested.
“That’s quite a gift. But maybe we’ll find out soon,” she said as Cass pulled up in front of a classic 1940s California bungalow. The house sat a good fifteen blocks from the ocean and although small, was well-tended and charming. Despite its size, Ethan thought it must be worth a pretty penny.
“Any chance she has family money?” he asked as they slid from the car.
He came around and met Kara on the sidewalk where she stood studying the house. “I don’t know,” she replied. “It’s possible the house has been in her family for a while, too. However she came to be here, it doesn’t look like she’s here now.” She nodded to a stack of newspapers on the small front porch.
The unease he felt earlier morphed from a slither into something stronger, and he swept his gaze over the area. He saw nothing out of the ordinary but was glad to have the two operatives along with them.
“Shall we knock?” he suggested, taking the bull by the horns.
Kara hesitated, then proceeded up the walk. Cass followed them while Bill remained by the SUV.
Kara knocked on the door, then rang the bell. Several seconds passed, and they heard no movement inside.
“Try again,” he said. Without a word, she did. With the same result.
“What do you think about trying the back?” Kara asked, turning to face him. He’d noticed a gate when they’d approached. If it was locked, though, someone would have to jump the fence. Not exactly covert behavior in the middle of the morning.
He was about to agree when a curtain in the neighbor’s window twitched. “I have a better idea,” he said. “Or at least one I think we should try first.”
Kara and Cass followed him off the porch. A few seconds later, he knocked on the neighbor’s door.
“Yes?” a woman answered. She’d cracked the front door open by less than four inches and was staring at them through a heavy-duty metal screen door. He couldn’t fault her caution, though. She looked a few years older than his grandfather’s ninety-one years of age and barely five feet tall.
“My name is Ethan Warwick and I’m from HICC, a security company based up north. And this is Dr. Kara Kenyon, a colleague of Evelyn’s from the aid agency.” As he spoke, he pulled out his ID and Kara followed suit.
She examined them through the metal door, then leaned back. “You, I don’t know about,” she said, looking at Ethan. “But you, I’ve heard of,” she said, smiling at Kara. “Evelyn is a lovely neighbor. When she’s home, she always comes by for coffee and chats. I don’t get out like I used to, and she tells me all about the places you work.”
Kara stepped forward, taking the lead. “Ethan and I are in town with family, and I was hoping to see Evelyn. I’ve had trouble reaching her, though. Do you know if she’s home?”
The woman shook her head, then paused. “She had a wedding. Her niece, I think. Somewhere up north. Not north-north, but north of the city. Thousand Oaks, maybe? But I thought she’d be home by now. That was a few days ago.” The woman’s voice grew laced with concern as she realized she hadn’t seen her friend in a few days. “Do you think she’s all right?”
Kara offered a soothing smile that Ethan was sure many patients had seen. “Evelyn is always gallivanting about,” she said. “It’s possible she went north for the wedding then just kept going for the fun of it.”
The woman smiled. “Well, that is true.”
“But I’ll keep trying to reach her. When I do, I’ll be sure to have her call you,” Kara added.
The woman let out a small sigh. “Thank you, dear. That would be kind. I’m not one to keep track of my neighbors, but us single ladies need to stick together sometimes.”
“And I’m sure Evelyn feels the same,” Kara replied. The two chatted for another minute before saying goodbye. By the time they reached the SUV, Kara had her phone out.
“Texting Sabina?” he asked, holding the door open for her. She nodded as she typed but didn’t otherwise answer.
“Shall we head toward Malibu while we wait to hear from HICC?” Cass asked, starting the car.
“That’s as good a plan as any,” Ethan replied.
