Page 42 of Rescuing Riley
However, she didn’t get a chance to even take her next breath before Candace shouted, “Riley!”
Riley almost cowered as if she’d been caught passing a note to her best friend in junior high. It had been an embarrassing day when Ms. Fennel had taken that note and read it to the class.
I made out with Daniel. He kisses sloppy.
The entire class had laughed as Riley had turned a million shades of deep red.
Candace hurried down the hall then came to a full stop, planting her hands on her thin hips, in front of Riley. “You don’t belong down here. I should get security.”
And Riley should’ve screamed at the top of her lungs. Why didn’t anyone at this company care that Liza was missing? So Riley mimicked Candace’s body language right down to the scowl. “I think I’ll call security. What don’t you people understand? Liza Bandon is missing. I believe someone around here knows where she is.”
A door popped open down a few yards from where Riley stood, and a chunky man with gray hair and a gray mustache walked out, wearing a sharp business suit. “What’s going on?”
Taylor threw her door open, her blue eyes wide. “Nothing, Mr. Gansett.” Her voice cracked.
“Bull,” Riley said as she stalked up to Mr. Gansett.
He smoothed a hand down his blue tie as he hovered just outside his office.
Taylor rushed forward and grabbed Riley’s arm, her nails digging into Riley’s skin. “I’ll handle this, Mr. Gansett.”
Candace joined them. “I’m sorry, sir.”
Both Candace and Taylor were nervous, leading Riley to believe that this well-dressed man had some clout at the company.
Riley jerked out of Taylor’s hold. “Touch me again, and I will give you the shiner of your life.” Riley wasn’t one to punch or physically fight. She left that to Ross, who didn’t mind throwing a punch when he needed to. But she wasn’t one to let people grab her or walk all over her. The last girl who’d pushed Riley in the schoolyard in the eighth grade had ended up with a bloody nose.
Mr. Gansett held up fat fingers. “Ladies, calm down. Candace, return to reception. Taylor, in my office.”
Candace practically ran as if Mr. Gansett would cut off her head… or fire her. Taylor, on the other hand, sashayed into Mr. Gansett’s office as though she weren’t afraid of the man, which belied the fear in her voice.
“Now what’s this about?” Mr. Gansett asked Riley in a polite tone.
“I believe Taylor has information on the whereabouts of Liza Bandon.”
He angled his head. “It is my understanding that Liza is away on a business trip.”
Riley let out a manic laugh. It was clear to her that this man didn’t know what was going on, or maybe he did and didn’t care. But Riley’s intuition was telling her that he believed Liza was on a business trip.
“Look, Ms.…”
“Lewis. I’m Riley Lewis.”
He grinned as though something had dawned on him. “The wedding planner, Riley Lewis? As in the one planning the wedding for the Boston Mayor’s daughter? Liza’s best friend from Boston?” Awe washed over him as if Riley were some big celebrity.
Liza had screamed in excitement when Riley had said she’d gotten the contract of her career. It seemed Liza hadn’t been able to contain how proud she was. Not that the news of Riley’s contract was a secret. In fact, the newspapers in Boston were all abuzz with speculation on the dress and the guest list, almost as if Brenda Nuñez, the soon-to-be Mrs. David Williams, were royalty.
The anger that had taken hold of Riley’s stomach weakened for the moment. “In the flesh.”
“Why didn’t you say so? I’m Liza’s boss. She told me she would be spending time with you. Are you saying that didn’t happen last weekend?” His bushy eyebrows rose slightly.
“The last time I heard from her was the day she was supposed to pick me up at the airport, which was almost a week ago now. Her family is as worried as I am. The FBI is looking for her too.”
He flinched then waved a hand into his office. “Why don’t you come in, and we’ll get to the bottom of this.”
Agent Wallace had said Liza’s boss hadn’t been in the office when he and Dennison questioned the employees.
Riley sighed quietly. Finally, someone wanted to help, someone who seemed to care about Liza’s welfare.
