Who had Zoey kept in contact with since leaving Wyoming and changing her name?
Liam was with Brad, and now wasn’t a good time to ask him to leave. Besides, she had a feeling this job could really work out for him. Brad was willing to allow them to conduct their investigation while working at the resort—seeming to get a thrill out of his role.
The last thing Rae wanted to do was be the reason Liam lost a job. He hadn’t even gotten a good hour into his job here. She’d give him that, at least.
Rae turned in the paperwork and didn’t wait for an assignment. Going to see Sam wouldn’t take long. She could be back before Liam even missed her.
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
3:45 p.m.
Samara Davidson’s Home
Rae had called a cab for a ride to the hotel, where she’d left her rental car. Now she stood at the front door of Sam’s expansive home. She’d already stopped by the heli-ski facilities and learned Sam wasn’t in.
She held her cell and would call if necessary, but she preferred catching people in the moment. Or rather, off guard. Sam wanted to find her daughter, that much Rae believed. Other than Rae and Alan, no one knew Zoey better than her mother, even though she claimed she hadn’t seen her daughter in years.
The door swung open, and Sam’s smile was forced. “Ms. Burke. I wasn’t expecting you.” Then she gave a smirk. “And that’s your journalistic tactic.”
“I missed a call from you. I figured I’d come see you in person, that’s all. And, oh, remember, you can call me Rae.” She thought they’d already gotten to first names. “I thought we were on the same team. Team Zoey. We have to find her. I shouldn’t need to use any tactics.”
Sam nodded and opened the door wider. “Fair enough. Come in.”
She led Rae to the kitchen. “After three decades of building a business that serves many people with unlimited resources, I just . . .”
“You have an image. A reputation. You’re always on.” Rae set her bag on the counter. “I get it. But your daughter’s life could be at stake.”
Sam’s hands trembled, and she cupped them around a big coffee mug. “I was just about to have some tea. Would you care for some?”
“No thank you.” Sam seemed like the kind of woman who would be out there in the helicopters or somehow more hands-on. Not drinking tea. But given the situation, she was probably off her game. Still, she’d been living like this for years—not truly knowing how her daughter was doing or what she was up to.
She poured the tea into the mug. “You know, I’m sure you’re well aware that with each passing hour, the chances that Zoey is still alive . . .” She tossed back the tea.
Rae watched her—there was more than tea in that mug. No wonder Sam wasn’t at work. She couldn’t afford for her clients to see her intoxicated or uninhibited.
“While I would agree that’s normally the case, this happened before. Zoey disappeared for a week during our college years. She came back. That gives me hope.”
Rae wished it were more than that.
Sam’s eyes widened, and once again, Rae saw Zoey in her mother. The resemblance was uncanny.
“Let’s go somewhere comfortable.” Sam led her into a sitting area and plopped onto a comfy sofa. Rae eased onto a plush chair opposite the sofa. Bookshelves lined the walls behind Sam.
“Tell me more about that time,” Sam said.
Rae shared about the incident and how she took Zoey home with her, then Alan met and fell in love with her. “And the rest is history, as they say.”
“Did Tawny love your brother?”
“At first I think Alan offered stability. Kindness. He was safe. I know Zoey loves him deeply now. And their precious—” Callie. Tears choked back her next words. She had to focus. “Callie. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to get choked up. I came here to ask more questions.”
“If it will help find Tawny, then ask away.”
“You’ve made it clear that you and Zoey were deliberately estranged. You kept your distance. But you know about your grandchild you’ve never met. When was the last time you communicated with Zoey?”
Sam’s face paled. “I . . . uh . . . Tawny contacted me a few weeks ago.” Sam set her spiked mug of tea on a coaster and moved to the window. She peered out as if fearing someone was watching, then partially shut the mini blinds.