Page 64 of Hell Hath No Fury

He met her gaze. “I never said it was going to be easy. There’s something else we need to decide first. I only made our reservation here for one night. Should we book the room for more?”

It was a loaded question. Emma needed to be back in Erie for her doctor’s appointment in two days or risk losing her job. Matthias was aware of her concern and her timeline.

He might also be wondering if she still wanted to share a bed with him after what happened this morning. She couldn’t deny that his anger issues worried her. Regardless, she felt safe with him. He’d never come close to directing his rage at her. Quite the opposite. He’d saved her life more than once in the last few months.

“If you book the room and we manage to clear Eric today, they’ll charge you for the night, whether we stay or not.”

“I’m not worried about the money.” He watched her, his gaze intent. Then he said one word. “Nell.”

Emma swallowed hard. Eric wasn’t her only concern, and Matthias knew it.

He placed a hand over Emma’s, drawing her out of her downward spiraling thoughts. “We can’t leave yet,” he said. “Not until we get some kind of information about your sister.”

Clearing Eric might be a lot easier—and take less time—than finding Nell. “If this drags beyond tomorrow, I’ll have to call Laurie about more time off. She wasn’t happy about the days she already gave me.”

“Nell’s more important than your job.”

“True, but I can’t afford to be unemployed.”

“One thing at a time. I’ll book the room for another night. We’ll see how today goes and then decide.” He stood and gathered their empty paper plates and plastic forks and knives. “I’ll toss this. You refill our coffee cups. Then we’ll pay a visit to North Star Developing.”

ChapterNineteen

The sign on Sonny Jones’s office door stated they were closed due to a death in the family. Yeah, Matthias thought, if the owner could be consideredfamily. Did that make the employees his children? Siblings?

Matthias tried the door. Unlike Saturday, the handle didn’t budge. He knocked.

“No one’s here,” Emma said, the disappointment obvious in her voice.

“Don’t be so sure about that.” He knocked again. After another minute of silence, he pounded hard enough to make the wood vibrate.

The deadbolt clicked and the door jerked open to the same red-faced woman who’d been there three days ago. “You people again. Can’t you read?”

“We’re not here to do business,” Matthias said. “Ms. Neidermeyer, I presume?”

“If you’re not here to do business, what do you want?” She raised a palm. “No. Forget I asked. Whatever it is will have to wait. We’reclosed.” She reached for the door.

Matthias put a hand on it, blocking it open. “You are Tina Neidermeyer, correct?”

She glared at him. “Move your hand, sir.”

Emma stepped forward. “You lied to us on Saturday.”

“I did no such thing.”

“Yes, you did. I asked if you’d spoken to Eric Baker recently. You claimed you’d have to check your calendar, but unless you have an incredibly short memory, you knew full well you’d met with him on Wednesday.”

The skin at the corner of the woman’s eye twitched.

“You witnessed the signing of a sales agreement between North Star and Nell Anderson.” Before Neidermeyer had a chance to say anything, Emma thrust a hand at her. “I’m Emma Anderson, the other owner of record on that property.”

Matthias battled to contain a smile, especially when he saw the combating emotions crossing Neidermeyer’s face. She had to be wondering if Emma was here to complete the deal—assuming she didn’t know about Emma ripping up the documents. Neidermeyer’s focus shifted back to him.

Emma tipped her head in his direction. “This is Detective Matthias Honeywell.”

He should have spoken up and added Erie Bureau of Police to his title but didn’t. For now. Emma was having more of an effect on Neidermeyer than he was.Let it play out.

Unable to disguise her confusion about the current situation, the woman stepped clear and gestured them in. “Yes, I’m Tina Neidermeyer. I’m—Iwas—Mr. Jones’s assistant.” She flipped the deadbolt. “Please follow me.” She led the way past her desk with the World’s Greatest Aunt trophy and down a hallway to their left, then flipped on a light in the first room they came to.