Colorado Bodyguard. Cindi Myers

was part of their plan, too—to get her into another part of the house to look around while Rand kept an eye on Prentice.

      “Certainly. Back into the hallway, and it’s the first door on your left.”

      She crossed the room quickly, leaving them alone. Prentice turned to Rand, his expression hard. “I hope I’ve satisfied you that I have no designs on Ms. Montgomery’s person.”

      Did this guy rehearse his stilted dialogue in the mirror? Or did everything he knew about acting come from old black-and-white movies? “Sophie is worried about her sister,” Rand said, doing quite the acting job of his own, playing the role of mild-mannered innocent boyfriend. “And your wealth and power intimidate her.” Maybe flattery would make him lower his guard a little. “You can understand her wanting a little moral support.”

      “Since you’re such good friends with her, perhaps you can persuade her to give up this fruitless search and accept that her sister has most likely succumbed to depression and taken her own life,” Prentice said. “That’s what the authorities believe, isn’t it?”

      “That’s what they’ve told her.” What he had told her, though her staunch refusal to accept such a verdict—and Prentice’s insistence that she do so—was adding to his doubts. “But she says she won’t stop until she’s tracked down her sister. That’s why she’s here, tracing Lauren’s last known whereabouts.”

      Something flashed in Prentice’s eyes—alarm? But too quickly the expression was gone. “Lauren did not come to the Black Canyon to see me,” he said.

      “I’m sorry I kept you waiting.” Sophie rejoined them. Her voice was bright, but she was paler than before, and when Rand took her arm to escort her out of the house, he felt her trembling.

      Outside, she handed him the keys and walked around to the rental car’s passenger side. She waited until they were in the car, driving away, before she spoke. “He’s lying,” she said. “Lauren has been in that house, and recently. Today even.”

      “Why do you say that?”

      “I smelled her perfume. It’s a very distinct scent—Mitsouko. Not very many women wear it.”

      “Maybe he has a girlfriend who does.”

      “It would be a big coincidence.”

      “Coincidences happen.” Though less than some people liked to believe.

      “Lauren was there. I can feel it.” Her voice broke and she turned to him, her face a mask of anguish. “We’ve got to find her and we’ve got to help her, before it’s too late.”