money,” Rand said. “His specialty is buying historically or environmentally sensitive property at rock-bottom prices, then threatening to destroy the property or to use it in some offensive way if the government, or sometimes a private conservation group, doesn’t step in and pay the high price he demands.”
“That’s extortion,” she said.
“And perfectly legal,” the captain said. “If he owns the property, he’s free to do almost anything he wants with it.”
“That sounds like a story Lauren would want to cover,” she said. “Maybe she came here from Denver to interview him.”
“Or maybe he contacted her,” Carmen Redhorse said. “He likes to use the press to communicate his demands.”
“We need to talk to him,” Sophie said again, her agitation rising. They all looked so calm and unconcerned. Couldn’t they see how important this was?
“That’s not so easy to do,” Rand said. “Prentice has a team of lawyers running interference between him and anyone he doesn’t want to talk to—in particular, members of this task force. Unless we charge him with a crime, which we have no evidence he’s committed, or subpoena him as a witness, the chances of him answering any questions we have for him are slim to none.”
More looks passed between them, but these were easier to read. “You may not believe this is worth pursuing, but I do,” she said. “My sister did not commit suicide. She wasn’t crazy. And if you won’t help me find her, I’ll find someone who will.”
She shoved back from the table and started toward the door. Randall intercepted her. “Don’t go,” he said. “We’ll do what we can to help.” He looked at the captain. “Won’t we?”
Captain Ellison nodded. “Start by retracing Ms. Starling’s steps here in the county,” he said. “Do you know where she was staying?”
“I don’t,” Sophie admitted.
“Canvass the local motels,” the captain said. “Rand, you start there.”
Sophie had hoped he would assign the woman, Carmen Redhorse, to the case. A woman would be more sensitive, and easier to work with, she thought. Officer Knightbridge, with his frightening dog and gruff manner, was just as likely to scare people away as to persuade them to help. But he wouldn’t frighten her. “I want to go with you to talk to them,” she said.
“That isn’t possible,” Rand said. “I can’t take a civilian to question potential witnesses.”
“Fine. Then I’ll start contacting hotels and motels on my own. If I find anything, I’ll let you know.” It’s what she should have done in the first place, as soon as she saw what a low priority the Denver police gave the case.
Once again, Rand stopped her before she reached the door, his tall, muscular frame blocking her path. She tried to duck around him, but he took hold of her arm, his grasp gentle, but firm. “We can charge you with interfering with a police investigation,” he said.
“There wouldn’t be an investigation if I hadn’t come to you,” she said, shaking him off. “Can you blame me if I have my doubts about how much trouble you’ll go to to find Lauren? Whereas I know I won’t stop until I learn the truth.”
“Take her with you to the hotels and motels,” Captain Ellison said. “The locals may open up to her. But, Ms. Montgomery?”
“Yes?” She turned to face him.
“Officer Knightbridge is in charge. Do what he tells you or we’ll have you on a plane back to Wisconsin before you can blink twice.”
She glanced at Rand, whose face remained impassive. “All right,” she said. She’d play along, but she wouldn’t let him stop her from doing what she thought was best for her sister. “When do we start?”
“How about now?” He opened the door and motioned for her to go ahead of him. “The sooner we get this over with, the better.”
* * *
RAND’S ANNOYANCE WITH Sophie Montgomery was tempered by the undeniably distracting sway of her hips as she crossed the parking lot in front of him. No doubt her nose would be even further out of joint if she knew he was ogling her. Well, she didn’t have anything to worry about. She was pretty, but far too prickly. And she was wasting his time. Her sister’s connection to Richard Prentice was intriguing, but he doubted it would lead anywhere. Anyone could have a business card—maybe Prentice had sent it with one of his press releases touting his next attention-getting stunt. Lauren might even have had it for years. If it was important, why had she left it back in Denver?
“My vehicle is the FJ Cruiser with the grill between the back and the passenger compartment.” He pointed out the black-and-white SUV. “You can wait for me there while I get my gear.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “I should follow you in my car.”
“No, you shouldn’t. We’ll waste too much time trying to keep track of each other. I’ll bring you back here when we’re done.”
She pressed her lips together in a disapproving line, but didn’t argue. Even that didn’t lessen her attractiveness. She wasn’t actress-and-model gorgeous, like her famous sister, but she had a deeper beauty that went beyond the surface, enduring and natural, like the beauty of a wild animal.
And what was he doing wasting time musing on the attractiveness of this woman who clearly found little to like in him? He returned to the headquarters building and retrieved Lotte from the back room, where she’d been napping. As always, the Belgian Malinois greeted him enthusiastically, whipping her tail back and forth and grinning at him. At least here was a female who appreciated him. “Are you ready to go, girl?” he asked.
She responded with a sharp, happy bark. He rubbed her ears and clipped on the leash. Not that she needed it, but since Sophie was clearly skittish around dogs, he’d do what he could to keep her calm.
When Sophie saw them approaching, she turned the color of milk and plastered herself against the vehicle. “What are you doing with that dog?” she asked.
“Lotte is coming with us.” He walked the dog past her to the rear of the vehicle.
“Oh, no. I can’t ride in a car with a dog.”
“She’ll be in the back. And she is coming with us. That’s not negotiable. Lotte is as much a part of my gear as my weapon or my radio.”
“I told you, I’m afraid of dogs.”
She looked miserable, but he wasn’t going to back down on this; he and Lotte were a team. “I promise I won’t let her hurt you. And she’ll be in the back of the cruiser, with a grate between us. You can pretend she isn’t there.”
She looked from the dog to him and back, then took a deep breath. “All right.”
Good girl. But he only thought it—she might be insulted if he praised her the same way he did Lotte.
With Lotte safely secured in the back of the vehicle, he climbed into the driver’s seat and Sophie buckled into the passenger seat. “Is this your first visit to the Black Canyon?” he asked as they passed the first of the park’s eighteen overlooks into the canyon.
“Yes. I’ve been to Denver a couple of times to see Lauren, but we never left the city.” She gazed out at a trio of RVs in the overlook parking lot. “I’m not much of an outdoor person.”
“I’ll admit the area around the canyon can look a little desolate at first, but there’s really a lot of beauty here, once you get to know it,” he said. Just like some people. “Not just the canyon itself, but the wilderness area around it. The wildflowers are just beginning to bloom, and the sunsets are spectacular.”
“If you say so.” She angled her body toward him. “No offense, officer, but I’m not here to sightsee. I came here to find