“You have got to be kidding me.”
She suddenly felt very inappropriately dressed in her stripe tee, skinny jeans and Converse—and not because of the lavish surroundings. Renee’s diamond rock, the regular financial handouts for Laurie, the exclusive Mulholland address, Jessica had been prepared for the wealth that would be on show. It didn’t bother her. She hadn’t been prepared for what else she saw.
Huge gold and silver “two” and “four” balloons, banners, and streamers adorned the front of the house. The muted sound of conversation and music drifted through an open window.
A party. And not just any party. A birthday party.
For missing Laurie Simmonds.
Jessica had texted Renee earlier in the day, said she wanted to speak to both her and Trey. She’d assumed Connor would join her at the Simmonds’ place but he’d been out all day digging into Amanda Meyers’ background and said he’d arranged a meet with one of the woman’s former coworkers. It sounded to Jessica like the interview was taking place in a bar. She was sure she could hear a Bob Dylan song in the background as well as lots of barroom chatter.
Jessica felt irrationally pissed at Connor. While he was out mixing business with pleasure, she was stuck gatecrashing a weird party with no guest of honor.
Before she had the chance to change her mind, back out, and return to her truck, the door opened and Renee stood there, swaying slightly, a glass of white wine in her hand, her eyes a little too wide and wild.
Chardonnay drunk.
Great, Jessica thought. This evening was just getting better and better.
“Jessica!” Renee cried as though greeting an old friend, rather than someone she’d met for the first time earlier that day. She stumbled onto the gravel and leaned forward to give Jessica a quick demi-hug and air kiss, the way rich people do when they don’t want to make actual physical contact.
“Hey, Renee. Apologies if I’m interrupting. I didn’t realize you were having a party.”
“Nonsense! Come on in and meet everyone.”
Renee led the way rather unsteadily on her high heels into a living room tastefully decorated in hues of cream, white and beige. Music played softly from unseen speakers. Jessica decided she’d speak to Renee about the missing luggage and the mysterious Randal when the woman was sober. Figured Trey Simmonds might be a better bet tonight.
There were eight other guests at the party. Three couples from the neighborhood—introduced as the Hunts, Goldmans, and McCaws—were scattered along a giant L-shaped leather sofa. The men nursed whiskeys, the women clutched wine glasses, and they all looked like they’d been dressed from the spring-summer Ralph Lauren collection. Laurie’s best friend, Elizabeth Mann, pretty in a navy jumpsuit and her hair down around her face, stood with a guy around her own age. Preppy-handsome in a polo shirt, chinos and boaters, Miles McCaw was apparently Laurie’s old high school boyfriend.
Everyone looked as awkward as Jessica felt.
The other person in the room was Trey Simmonds. Jessica didn’t need Renee’s introductions to figure that one out. His fair hair was turning gray but he shared the same pale blue eyes and freckled complexion as Laurie, who had clearly inherited her all-American looks from her father. Jessica shook his hand—a cool, firm grip—and quietly asked if she could speak with him away from the others.
“Of course,” he said. “Can I fix you a drink first?”
“A Scotch would be great, thanks.”
“I keep the good stuff in my study. Let’s talk in there.”
Jessica followed him out of the living room. As they passed Renee, she said brightly, “Don’t forget about the fireworks!”
Fireworks?
Simmonds led Jessica into what could only be described as a proper study. It was just like the ones you’d see on old TV shows, the kind she imagined all wealthy businessmen to have in their plush homes. Dark wood, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves housing tomes no one ever read, a matching pair of oxblood Chesterfield sofas, a substantial mahogany desk. Framed photos on the walls showed graduation ceremonies, diplomas, a college group shot, Trey and Renee on their wedding day, Laurie at various stages from baby to young woman.
Simmonds went over to a drinks trolley in the shape of a vintage globe and lifted the lid to reveal a selection of high-end liquor and crystal tumblers. He poured two Scotches, handed one to Jessica, and gestured for them to sit on the sofas.
“I’m sorry for dragging you away from your friends,” she said. “But I had a look around Laurie’s apartment today and have a few questions. I’ll try not to take up too much of your time.”
“Please, don’t apologize,” he said. “I was glad to escape. No one thinks this damn party is a good idea other than Renee.”
“It is a little . . . odd.”
“Yes, that’s one way of putting it.” Simmonds swallowed some whisky. “What did you want to ask me about?”
Jessica told him about the luggage, clothing, and toiletries that were all missing from the apartment on Speedway. How she’d reached the conclusion Laurie had been planning some sort of trip. Her confusion as to why Renee neglected to pass on this information when they’d met at the detective agency earlier.
“Of course, we already knew about Laurie’s missing personal effects,” Simmonds said. “Spotted the items were gone as soon as we searched the apartment. The police are also aware. But I’m not surprised Renee didn’t mention it. Sometimes, I think she’d rather think the worst, than face up to the most likely scenario.”
“Which is?”
“Laurie took off for a while. And the reason she took off is Renee.”
“Why would Laurie do that?”
Simmonds sighed. “I don’t wish to criticize my wife, Miss Shaw, but it’s important you understand the background here. Renee is a good person and she’s a great mother. She adores Laurie. But I know Laurie finds her love to be stifling at times. She’s twenty-four now. She wants to be independent. But Renee won’t allow it. She needs Laurie to need her mother.”
“Even so,” Jessica said. “Two months with no contact? It doesn’t worry you?”
“Sure it does,” he said. “Don’t think I haven’t thought about it plenty. Renee isn’t the only one who’s been affected by this whole thing. I’ve had sleepless nights too. Why would Laurie put us both through this hell? Why wouldn’t she let us know she’s okay? I’ve asked myself those questions every single day since she’s been gone.”
“And?”
Simmonds shrugged helplessly. “Maybe Laurie’s worried she’ll be guilt-tripped into coming home if she does call.”
“Okay,” Jessica said. “Let’s assume you’re right. Where do you think she went? Do you believe she’s on her own or with someone else?”
Simmonds finished his drink in one big gulp. “I have no idea.” He gestured toward Jessica’s own Scotch. “You want another?”
“Thanks, but no.” She’d barely touched her drink. “I have to drive back to Venice tonight.”
He walked over to the globe-bar and she studied him while he poured himself a refill.
Simmonds was tall and in good shape for his age. He had a strong jawline and thick head of hair. A nice summer tan. All the ingredients required to be handsome but not quite succeeding somehow. Maybe it was the dullness behind his eyes. No doubt the result of months of worrying about Laurie. Despite his insistence his daughter had simply taken a trip someplace, Jessica thought Trey Simmonds looked like a man who was feeling the strain.