Chapter Twenty-six
Valencia, Venezuela
Mendoza Estate
Luis took a sip of his wine and eyed his lovely dinner companion. Though his libido had long since disappeared, he could still appreciate a beautiful woman. Especially one with her impressive résumé.
Two different associates had recommended the private investigator. He had put off calling a professional, believing his people would be able to find Gabriella on their own. After this last failed attempt, he’d had no choice but to call someone who specialized in finding missing people.
“You come highly recommended.”
Her smile was both confident and charming. “I assure you my reputation is well deserved.”
“How do you propose to find my granddaughter? Many of my employees have tried and not succeeded.”
“I have contacts others may not have. And”—she smiled like a feline who’d just consumed a sizable mouse—“I have skills they don’t possess.”
“Yes, so I’ve heard.”
He had interviewed a handful of investigators before settling on this one. There were many out there, but few who could lay claim to being both an investigator and an assassin. He had need of both.
“At this point, I’m only concerned with finding my granddaughter. I will, however, have need of your other service later on.”
“Understood. My investigative skills have no equal. Finding your granddaughter will be my number-one priority. Once she is secure, I’ll be anxious to entertain other areas where my expertise lies.”
“Excellent. You were provided the basic details regarding my granddaughter and her disappearance. What else do you need? As you might have already surmised, Gabriella is my greatest treasure and I’ll do whatever I have to do to have her returned home.”
All business now, she leaned forward. “I need every detail you can give me about the girl. Her favorite foods, what music she listens to. Her favorite places to shop, to visit. Is she adventurous and bold or shy and timid?”
“Why do you need to know these things?”
“To create a profile. People can change many things about themselves, but there’s always one or two habits or peccadilloes, if you will, that trip them up. Things they can’t or won’t give up. Sometimes they think they’re so insignificant, no one will notice. But I notice.”
“My granddaughter lives a quiet life. She has no friends and doesn’t do much of anything other than paint in her studio and putter around in her little garden. She serves as hostess for my events. She does a bit of traveling each year.”
“What are her favorite places to visit?”
Irritation hit him. Not only did he not know the answers, he found this all very trifling and silly. What grandparent knew such things of their grandchildren?
“She goes to the same places each year. The Louvre in Paris, the Prado in Spain, and the Uffizi Gallery in Florence.”
“That’s all?”
“Don’t forget about the McGruder Art Show in Dallas,” Stephan said.
“Dallas? As in Texas, in the US?”
“Yes, I’d forgotten about that one.”
“Are you sure these are the only places she goes? Perhaps she snuck away from her guards and met someone.”
“Not only is she guarded better than any member of a royal family, Gabriella is quite sedate. She doesn’t have an ounce of rebellion in her body.”
“She sounds boring. Why ever do you want her back?”
Since she was being blunt, he would follow her lead and do the same. He answered honestly, “Because she has something I want.”
“And that is?”
“None of your business.” He would go only so far in his trust of this woman. How did he know that if he told her the truth she wouldn’t take offense? Some women, especially sophisticated women of the world like this one, had strange beliefs about a woman’s role.
“I understand.” Her smile was sympathetic. “If you’ll just start talking about her, I’m sure I’ll be able to create an adequate profile to get me started.”
He tried to remember the last time he’d seen Gabriella. The autumn party, perhaps. Who knew? She’d just flitted around, doing her duties as hostess. Her smile had been gracious, her laughter pleasing. Her knowledge on a variety of topics enabled her to engage in interesting conversations with all his guests, no matter how varied and odd. She had done the job to his satisfaction. The next day she was gone. They’d rarely spoken during the party unless it was about one of the guests. What else was there to talk about?
“She’s about five-eight, slender but not thin, is in excellent health, has dark hair, almost black. Dark brown eyes and creamy skin. She’s an attractive young woman.”
“Yes. I have her physical description as well as several photographs. But what about her personality? Any eccentricities?”
“As I mentioned earlier, she paints and putters in her garden. Other than that…” He shrugged. “Who knows what young people do?”
Though her expression didn’t change from one of pleasant professionalism, Luis got the impression that she found his lack of knowledge of his granddaughter disappointing. Not that it mattered, but the minutia of Gabriella’s life wasn’t his responsibility. He fed and clothed her. He gave her everything she needed. That was more than enough.
“What about her friends? Perhaps I could talk with them.”
“As I mentioned before, she’s an introvert. Doesn’t have friends.”
“I see.”
Luis forced himself not to squirm in his chair. The conversation was making him feel more and more uncomfortable. Lovely though this woman was, she had no right to judge how he ruled his family.
“Will that be all? I have important matters to attend to.”
She nodded and stood. “This will be sufficient to get me started. If anything comes to mind that you think I should know, you have my number.”
Fearing she might not understand the extreme urgency in retrieving Gabriella as soon as possible, he urged, “I’d appreciate it if you would make this your utmost priority. Gabriella doesn’t do well on her own. She needs constant supervision.”
“This case is my number-one priority. I’ll do everything within my power to bring Gabriella home safely.”
“Excellent.”
“I’ll contact you as soon as I have a lead.”
“Yes, yes. That’s fine. Just bring her home as soon as possible.”
***
She waited until she was driving away before she released a tinkling laugh. Oh, the games silly men played. Did Luis Mendoza actually believe the words he’d spouted? She certainly didn’t. But that was no matter. A job was a job. And this one happened to pay more than any she’d had before. There were layers that didn’t usually exist, along with twists and delicious secret turns. Even if Mendoza hadn’t been paying her, the entertainment value alone made it worth her while. How long had it been since she’d enjoyed anything?
A year ago, she had emerged from the sea, damaged but not broken. Days had passed before she could even lift her head. Weeks had gone by before she had accepted that she would live. Recovery had taken a long time, but it had also given her a chance to plan, to dream. Revenge and retribution were powerful motivators.
Those who had caused her pain would pay. That was a given. She had been left for dead. Like some sort of refuse…like garbage. Yes, those who had treated her as such would suffer.
She was back in the game now, but it wasn’t like before. Would never be like it once was. And she had only one family to blame. The Slaters of Dallas, Texas, would be punished for what they’d done to her. She had been unsuccessful in her attempt to eliminate them, but this time she wouldn’t fail. This time, it was personal. The Slaters would die cursing the day they’d ever crossed paths with Ivy Roane.
In the meantime, she needed to work. For money, yes. One could never have too much of that. But also for the distraction. Her plan for the Slaters would take time to coalesce. Until that day came, she would keep herself busy. Hunting down one wayward young woman wouldn’t normally be that interesting, but the parties and intrigues involved were beyond fascinating.
Yes, she could have a bit of fun until her day of retribution came. Pitting evil men against one another was just the type of entertainment she needed.