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“That’s right.”
A soft whistle. “I’ll see what I can find out.”
“Thanks, Rafe. I owe you.”
“Yeah? How about convincing the PSI trainers to give us a break? I’m tired of running a million miles each week. I’m running more now than I did in BUD/S.”
“Suck it up, bro. Those teams are the best we have for a reason. Their training regimen will keep you alive. Later.”
He and Bridget went through the same routine with Stella Armstrong, who promised to contact her friends still in law enforcement to see what they’d heard.
When they called Veronica Walker, she was sympathetic to their problem. “Who are we looking for, Trace?”
“A woman named Ruth Monihan, better known as Roxanne.”
“The supermodel.” Veronica sounded resigned.
“You know something?”
“Bridget, you might be better off not knowing.”
“If it concerns Ruth, I want to know.”
“Remember I warned you.”
“What do you know?” Trace asked.
“Hugo likes to collect things.”
He frowned. “What do you mean? Things like art or jewelry?”
“He collects unique and beautiful things. Doesn’t matter what it is. If it’s one of a kind and the envy of everyone of worth, Hugo will do anything necessary to obtain it. Unfortunately, Ruth fits that unique and beautiful category.”
“She’s a person, not an inanimate object.”
“Every unattached male on the planet with a pulse wants Roxanne. She disappeared and was last seen associating with Hugo. I’d guess he saw what he wanted and took her.”
“Oh, no,” Bridget murmured.
“If Hugo did take your sister, he’s hiding her and won’t let others see her.”
“How will we find her?”
“Like most collectors, he’ll feel the need to brag about his newest acquisition. He won’t be able to help himself. Word will spread. That’s how we’ll nail him.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
After the call to Veronica ended, Bridget laid her hand on Trace’s. “If Hugo is a collector, he would treasure his possessions, right?” She wanted to believe Hugo wouldn’t hurt Ruth. After all, what was the point of having a unique possession only to destroy it? No bragging rights.
“Probably.” He turned his hand over and squeezed. “Captivity is captivity despite a beautiful cage.”
While Hugo might not physically hurt her sister, did the same hold true mentally? Ruth was used to being on the move. She flew from country to country in fulfillment of her contracts. Even when at their home in Freeport, a rare thing these days, she was out most of the day. How would she handle being cooped up with no end in sight?
Guilt weighed her down. She should have paid attention to the significance of Ruth draining her bank account. Her sister must think she didn’t care enough to track her down and free her from Hugo.
“Bridget.” Trace’s voice dragged her from the downward spiral of her thoughts. “Don’t go there.”
“Go where?”
