Page 227 of Secrets Hidden In The Glass

Jesus, he looked like shit. Nate stepped farther into the room. “Hey. How are you feeling?”

“A little tired today.”

“I’ll leave you two alone.” Lily closed the door behind her.

Nate debated whether to let the case go for now as he sat on the small couch across from Evan. The youngest Sanderson brother was by far the most attractive of the four. Once upon a time, the governor had dragged Evan around on the campaign trail, wooing female voters with Evan’s handsome baby face and tall, muscular build. But today he looked easily a decade older than his early fifties. “I’m sorry you’re in such a tough spot.”

“The doctors are running some tests—trying to figure out what’s going on.”

“How long have you been sick?”

“Off and on for a few weeks. I took a trip down to South Africa and haven’t been the same since.”

Nate winced. “I hope they figure things out and get you feeling good again.”

“With two doctors in the family, I’m confident we’ll get to the bottom of it one way or the other.” He sat up farther and sipped his glass of water. “So what brings you by?”

“Actually, I stopped by your office.” He figured he might as well mention it. It didn’t have to go any further than that.

Evan’s brow furrowed slightly. “No kidding.”

“I’ve been trying to track down Trevor and Conner Miller.”

Evan’s frown deepened. “They travel a lot for work. They’re good guys. You came into the city to talk to them?”

Nate nodded. “Following up on a lead. My colleague and I are still working on the Little Girl Lost case.”

Evan set down his water. “That’s right. I was out of town for most of that, but I caught a couple of mentions about it on the news—and Lily talks about it sometimes. How’s everything going?”

“Fits and starts. Mostly fits. I’m having a hell of a time tracking down Callie’s mother.” He took the picture out of his pocket and handed it over. “You were on the island that week. You don’t happen to remember seeing her, do you? Samantha Fletcher. She lived here in the Boston area before she disappeared.”

Evan pressed his lips firm as he studied the photograph. “No, I can’t say that I did. Or at least, I don’t remember if I did.”

“That’s about the same response I get from everyone.” He took the picture back. “It’s frustrating as hell.” He rubbed at the back of his neck. “She didn’t just vanish into thin air. Someone knows something. I just need to figure out who.”

“And you want to talk to Trevor and Conner about her?”

“If I had my way, I’d talk to everyone who was on the island that week.” He shrugged. “Lily and Leah mentioned that the Miller twins were staying out at the cottage in Brewster’s Forest right around the same time Samantha disappeared. Lily was telling me they trashed the place.”

Evan nodded. “From what I understand, things got a little rowdy.” His frown returned. “You think one has to do with the other?”

Nate jerked his shoulders again. “It’s hard to say. Currently, I’m grasping at any and all straws.”

Evan winced. “Did you say anything to Trace about the damages?”

“I kept everyone’s name out of it and downplayed the mess. I did say I was hoping they could give me a call—see if they remember seeing her. I thought I would ask them about the vandalism and leave their father out of it.”

“I appreciate it.”

“So they made a pretty good mess of things?”

“Yeah. A couple holes in the walls and some broken windows. Unfortunately, I’d already headed back to the city for work by the time the cleaning crew discovered the problem. Matthew and Thomas dealt with the worst of it. I know Lily, Leah, and Mini did a little scrubbing too.”

“Some of the furniture got trashed?”

“I’m pretty sure the couch got torn up. I think my brothers ended up hauling most everything out to the dump. Luckily, Jeremy’s good with a hammer and drywall.” He smiled. “Then that guy broke his leg or whatnot and we stopped renting the place out.”

“That sucks.”