Strangers by Mary Anna Evans Page B

accessible from a gravel driveway that entered from the street through the open gate, but a thick hedge of bamboo camouflaged it from the eyes of passersby. People who entered the parking lot generally found it only because they already knew it was there. This told Joe something about how Glynis could have been taken with no one knowing, if she’d even been abducted at all.
    The bamboo hedge even camouflaged the parking lot from people who did know it was there, blocking it from view within Dunkirk Manor’s extensive grounds. Without the hedge, Glynis’ abandoned car would even now be clearly visible from the site of the former swimming pool where the archaeological crew had been working. Joe stirred. With this realization, he knew that danger had crept too close to Faye for his comfort.
    “I don’t know what the gardener saw, exactly,” the hostess offered to anyone willing to listen, “but I did hear that there was blood on the front seat. Glennie has dove-gray leather seats, so you know the blood showed up. He couldn’t have been wrong about that.”
    Joe’s throat hurt. Glynis must have arrived at work early, before he started work at eight, or he’d have seen her drive in the gate and disappear behind the hedge. By then, Glynis’ car was already sitting there, empty and with bloodied upholstery. What had happened to that poor woman? And now that violence had come so close, what was to prevent someone from hurting Faye?
    Violence against women affected Joe viscerally. If someone had hurt fragile, gentle Glynis, then he needed to go hunting for the son-of-a-bitch. The very idea made it hard for him to sit still. A crowded room full of scared, gossiping people was the last place he wanted to be right now…except for the fact of Faye.
    If she’d been annoyed by the way he’d dogged her every step lately, then her life was about to get worse. Yes, there was a tall and stout brick wall around their worksite, and maybe Daniel would start keeping the damn garden gate closed, but that wasn’t enough. From now on, Faye would be protected by a tall, stout brick wall and a tall, brawny husband. She could argue all she liked but, even at her currently inflated size, he was still way bigger than she was.
    ***
    Faye felt a cold breeze on her face. She rose to her feet and Joe followed without any need for her to ask him. She needed to tell the police about what she’d heard last night, when dainty Glynis told her large boyfriend where to get off.
    If the gossip was true, if Glynis was missing, then the police would eventually want to talk with everyone who’d been at Dunkirk Manor that morning. Eventually. But Faye had information that couldn’t wait.
    When she stood, every eye in a room full of tense, nervous people swung her way. Feeling as conspicuous as a whale swimming with a school of sardines, she maneuvered her swollen body through the crowd. Joe was three inches behind her, where she suspected he would remain until Glynis was found or the baby came, whichever came last. This made her trek even more conspicuous, if such a thing were possible.
    “Excuse me,” she murmured, as her belly brushed against the cook’s arm. “Pardon me,” she said as she stepped over Kirk’s outstretched legs. “I just need some air.”
    Faye could hear her mother’s voice in her head saying, “Can’t you just, for once, do as you’re told? The police will get to you eventually, if you’ll just wait your turn.”
    But she could also hear her grandmother’s voice saying, “Do what you think is best, baby. God gave you a brain. He expects you to use it.”
    Faye knew that when a person was missing, every second counts. Every second could be taking Glynis further away. Every second, more of her blood could be flowing. Every second could be her last.
    Faye and Joe stepped out of the owners’ suite and onto the balcony that encircled the atrium. Two policemen, one in uniform and one in a golf shirt and slacks, stood talking