Checkmate (Caitlin Calloway Mystery Book 2) by Mavis Applewater Page A

it.”
    “I hate that designers put their names all over things.” CCgrimaced but was silently impressed by Mulligan’s observations. “Imean what’s up with charging six hundred dollars for a bag thatisn’t practical and promotes the company that made it? I blameGloria Vanderbilt. She started that whole designer jeans crap.Personally, I’ll take a well-worn pair of Levis any day. I still can’tsee how you can tell it’s an Armani.”
    “Trust me.”
    “So, what have you got?” Max asked. “I can see those wheelsturning. You’re onto something.”
    “I got a missing kid, who dutifully called home and seemeddevoted to her job and studies. Who for some reason just up and lefther job not taking any cash, her laptop, cell phone, or her passport.The only person who seems to think she did this voluntarily is thewife who claims that the girl is nothing but a whore. This is thesame person who was the last person to see Annie alive. I’ve got aroom that is as neat as a pin except the bed, which has been trashed.I’ve got a wife who has a jealous streak when it comes to herhusband. What I got is an itch to look at the wife’s GPS records andno grounds for a warrant to do so.”
    “Annie didn’t drive much,” Leigh added. “Mr. Stern said shewas nervous that she would end up driving on the wrong side of theroad. She mostly walked or took the subway. Mrs. Stern was mostdispleased that she subjected the children to such an unhealthyenvironment.”
    “Another exact quote?” Max asked.
    “Oh yeah.”
    “She’s a snotty bitch,” Max said. “Why the GPS on the familycar?”
    “You know why,” CC replied.
    “Help Mulligan out.”
    “Because she had to get rid of the body,” CC said. “Two-cargarage with an entrance off the kitchen. Easy stuff to move a smallgirl like that without anyone, even the nosy neighbor, catching on.”
    “Other than the bed, I didn’t see any overt signs of foul play.”Mulligan sounded almost disappointed.
    “There isn’t always a blood trail when you kill someone.” CCsighed heavily. “We need to know Mrs. Stern’s movements on theday that Annie disappeared.”
    “Why are you so certain that the wife offed her?” Max asked.“Maybe she and the husband had a thing going, and he’s got herstashed somewhere. Or he made a play, she turns him down, hefreaks thinking Mrs. Snooty Pants is going to find out and he killsthe girl.”
    “Then why was the wife the last to see Annie?” CC said. “PlusI don’t think this guy takes a leak without clearing it with his wife.Just to be on the safe side, Wayne is looking at Annie’s laptop toconfirm that she really was the good kid everyone thinks she is.”
    “Almost everyone,” Mulligan added. “Mrs. Stern’s attitude hasmade me hinky from day one. She didn’t even pretend to beconcerned about Annie’s whereabouts. Which tells me she knowsexactly where she is.”
    “What kind of car does the wife drive?” Max began his ritualshifting in his chair, making it squeak. CC often wondered if he didthat just to annoy her.
    “One of those Mercedes SUVs.”
    “What is the point of that?” Max scoffed. “Get a minivan or geta luxury car.”
    “Mulligan, what would you like to do?” CC asked. “It is yourcase after all.”
    “Easy to forget with this one. She’s like a steamroller.” Maxaimed his thumb at CC.
    Leigh smiled. “She’s made a lot of headway.”
    “No, I’ve just come up with more guesses,” CC said. “Andthat’s all they are. Without any proof, not much you can do. Exceptlean on the wife. No way the husband isgoing to give youpermission for anything else. I’m thinking Mrs. Stern has alreadyripped him a new orifice by now. Whatever you’re going to do, I’ddo it quickly before the Feds get involved.”
    “Any ideas you have, I’d be grateful,” Mulligan said. “I don’tthink I can keep the Feds from taking over. I’ve got a missing kidfrom another country. Her parents are going crazy. Not that I