Page 225 of Secrets Hidden In The Glass

“All right.” Trace laced his fingers again. “I’ll do my best.”

“Callie’s biological mother was last seen on Carter Island on July 4, 1995.” He took the picture of Samantha and Callie sitting by the old stone church out of his pocket and handed it over. “I’ve been asking everyone I can track down if they might have seen her.”

Trace frowned as he took the photo and studied it. “I don’t understand how I can help you with that.”

“It’s my understanding that your boys were vacationing on the island at the time—”

Trace’s gaze whipped to Nate’s. “Who told you that?”

Nate watched Trace’s body language change in an instant. The man’s shoulders were rigid again and his eyes fierce—Papa Bear protecting his cubs. “When I was asking follow-up questions with some of Sanderson’s locals, a couple of them mentioned Trevor and Conner being among our vacationers during the Fourth of July time frame.”

Trace handed back the picture as he shook his head. “My family and I were out to Carter Island once when Evan invited us. The boys couldn’t have been more than six or seven at the time.”

“In 1995, your boys were college-aged. Is it possible they could have come to Sanderson without your knowledge?”

Trace shook his head. “It’s highly unlikely. We usually spent our Fourth of July holiday down in Rhode Island with some of my wife’s family.”

The word “usually” caught his attention, which implied most but not every Fourth of July holiday. “I’d like to be able to get in contact with Trevor and Conner—ask them about that week myself.”

Trace’s eyes grew fiercer. “They’re hard to reach. Last I spoke to them, Conner was heading to a village in Thailand, and Trevor and his wife Misty are out in the African savanna.”

“Yes. I tried contacting the organizations they work for myself, but no one could help me much since Conner and Trevor are in such remote locations.”

Trace cleared his throat. “If I’m going to be honest, Sheriff, this situation is making me uncomfortable. I’m no detective, but something tells me there’s more to that young lady’s disappearance than her simply dropping off her child at a restaurant. It seems to me you’re going to an awful lot of trouble to contact two kids who know nothing about her.”

Nate nodded as he adjusted his ankle on his leg. “I could see how you might think that, but right now, I’m dealing with a cold case. Anyone who was there that Fourth of July week could be the key to helping me find Callie’s mother.” Nate looked at the picture again. “She was a young, beautiful woman. Surely she caught someone’s eye. Perhaps your sons saw her walking on the beach or talking to someone. Maybe they noticed something that didn’t seem odd at the time but might now.”

Trace’s gaze wandered to the picture again as tension hung heavy in the room.

Nate put the photo away. “You’re a trusted friend of Evan’s. I have witnesses that can place Trevor and Conner on the island. They stayed at a cabin in Brewster’s Forest. From what I understand, there was a party that got a little out of hand—some items got damaged.” He shrugged, watching Trace’s guard come up again. “I’m not particularly interested in broken lamps and windows. In fact, I’d like to be able to do this as simply as possible—ask my questions, cover my bases, and move on. Every person who was there that week might have the clue I need to break this case wide open and not even be aware.” He stood, seeing that he was wearing out his welcome. “If you can get in touch with your sons and let them know I would like to speak to them, I’d appreciate it.” He put one of his business cards on the desk.

Trace took it. “When they get back to civilization, I’ll let them know.”

“Thank you.”

“You’ve talked to Evan about this?”

“No, not yet. I was hoping he’d be here.”

Trace shook his head. “He’s fighting some bug he picked up overseas.”

“Lily mentioned he’s been under the weather.”

“Hopefully some extended vacation time will help him get better. He’s been in and out of the country quite a bit over the last few weeks, handling some of our foreign accounts. Twelve hours on a plane breathing in everyone else’s air will catch up to you eventually, I guess.”

“Sounds like it has. Thank you for your time.” Nate held out his hand.

Trace stood and returned his handshake.

Nate left and made his way to the elevators, only slightly discouraged. His meeting hadn’t gotten him the exact outcome he’d been hoping for, but Trace hadn’t slammed the door in his face either. Keeping the Millers on his side was what he needed for now. Depending on Trace’s sons’ answers, Nate would see how things went from there. He glanced at his watch as the elevator opened on the ground floor. It was time to pay Evan a visit despite his current illness. He didn’t plan to stay long—grab an alibi and figure out what he knew about Trace Miller’s kids being on the island. Then he would head home.

~~~~

“Nathan!” Lily beamed as she stood in the doorway of her and Evan’s brownstone, looking cozy and relaxed in a thigh-length pink sweater and black leggings. “Honey, what are you doing here?”

“I was in the city so I thought I’d stop by.”

“Well, you just get inside and give me a hug.”