Page 56 of For Better or for Ransom

“I was almost done for the day.” It was true. She was happy with the progress and feeling a much-needed break was necessary. The urgency to be with him assailed her. “And about to make myself a cup of tea with something sweet to eat.”

“Like a piece of fruit?” He knew her so well.

She ignored his comment. “How can I help you, Luca?”

“Divya and I need to talk about the case.”

He probably wanted to tell her he’d be late that evening. Of course, she understood. Perhaps she’d hoped to see him, to also be part of the debrief, but she could hardly expect a couple of experienced detectives to include her in everything.

“We were wondering if we could pick your brain about it.”

“Of course!” Sol squealed. She stopped, breathed deeply, then proceeded at a more dignified pace and tone. “Why don’t you two come over? We can have tea together, maybe get dinner later if the chat runs long?”

“Sounds terrific. We’ll make sure to get some pastries on our way there.”

“You and your sweet tooth,” she teased him.

···

A couple of hours had passed. They’d chatted extensively about the case, but a few cups of tea and several sweets from Pastisseria Hofmann later, and they still were no closer to deciphering what had happened to Leonardo Pascual.

“What I don’t understand”—said Sol, sitting on one of the dining chairs around the round table in their apartment in Barcelona—“is this business about the notes. Who left them? And why?”

“You helped us establish the why, remember?” Luke lifted his eyes from his notebook to give her the full attention of his dark brown eyes. Sol almost felt herself shiver. “The notes were covering the stuff that was taken from the dressing room and the hotel room.”

“Okay, who took the stuff then and why?” Sol asked.

“I reckon we shouldn’t rule out a thief, right?” Divya contributed. “Someone could have learned about Leonardo being missing and took advantage of the situation.”

“Like a fan wanting to keep some mementos from their favorite actor?” Sol didn’t see that happening. “Isn’t it a bit too dangerous for just a few cosmetic products and clothing items? I mean, it was very expensive stuff but some of the clothes were super distinct and recognizable. I’ve been scouring the internet, but I couldn't find a single one of Leonardo’s garments for sale in some of the secondhand luxury online stores.”

“So what do you think happened?” Luke asked Sol.

“Either he was kidnapped or he made himself disappear—for very unclear reasons. But since no kidnappers have tried claiming any ransom…” Sol stopped before finishing. It could also have been that whoever had taken Leonardo didn’t want any money in exchange, despite what they’d written in the notes, just to keep him in secret for as long as possible. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I preferred the time you guys were investigating a murder.”

“No, you didn’t,” Luke contradicted her. “You really felt for the murderer back then, remember?”

She flicked her hand in front of her face. “Whatever. At least then things made some sense. This case really doesn’t.”

“Yeah, it doesn’t,” Divya admitted. “I’m tempted to believe Leonardo just felt too much pressure and decided to take a few days off. It’s the only thing that makes sense with what we have so far.”

Sol sighed. “I agree. I mean, I get what Bobby told you about Leonardo working very hard to reach this point in his career…”

“Don’t let that deter you from whatever you think happened. Bobby admitted to losing his marbles. Can we truly trust anything he said?” Luke encouraged Sol.

Divya made a reassuring gesture, as if sharing her detective partner’s view.

Sol inhaled, found the strength. “Okay, here’s the thing. I interviewed Leonardo that day. He was nervous about the play, anxious about the new show, worried about doing everything—even if he didn’t want to show any of that. He was tired. I don’t think I’ve told you because I hadn’t really grasped it until now, but he was so exhausted he didn’t even look his usual irrefutably sexy.”

Luke arched an eyebrow, looked at her with inquisitive eyes. “You certainly never said a word about him not being sexy, cara.”

Sol rolled her eyes. “I didn’t say he wasn’t sexy. By human standards, he was still smoking hot. I’m just saying, he wasn’t as extremely sexy as usual.”

Luke's nostrils were flaring, he was about to object to Sol's words about Leonardo. Divya didn’t allow it. “Not now, mate,” she commanded. “I think we’re finally making progress. The chap is forty-five and on the brink of making it big in Hollywood, if I’ve understood anything about this whole case. What if, the day he disappeared, he got to the theater after the long interview. He looks at himself in the mirror and sees exactly the same Sol did: he isn’t looking his usual irresistible self. He knows part of his success is due to his talent but he wouldn’t have made it that far if it wasn’t because he looks like he does. Am I right?” Divya asked Sol.

Sol nodded. “He sure is no character actor. He owes a lot to his looks. His talent has only helped him cement things and get better roles, but he wouldn’t have made it this far if he wasn’t tall, muscular, and handsome.”

“Okay, we get it. The chap is pretty!” Luke protested.