A Second Chance at Murder Read Online Free Page B

asked.
    â€œWhat’s an ogre?” he asked, his Spanish accent making it almost sound cute. “I do not know that word.”
    â€œA monster,” I said.
    He nodded his understanding, then very seriously said, ”You do not look like a monster.”
    I sighed, tension releasing from my body. “I don’t want you to start thinking I have anything to do with his disappearance,” I said. “That only wastes our time and energy. Look, I used to be a cop in the United States. I understand that our best chances of recovering someone who’s missing are in the first hours—”
    Instead of reassuring me, he asked, “Does he take any medication?”
    â€œWhat?” I asked.
    â€œDoes he have diabetes, or—?”
    â€œNo, no, he’s healthy.”
    â€œPrescription medicine?” He touched his temple.
    I fought the desperation surging in my chest. “Are you asking if he’s crazy?”
    Sergio shrugged. “Depressed or epileptic—”
    â€œNo,” I answered, my impatience mounting. “Look, we won’t get a second chance at this tiny window of opportunity to—”
    â€œWho else is here?” He made another note and glanced around the camp. “Were you the last person to see him?”
    I recounted the hike with Parker, and mentioned the scream we’d heard.
    He nodded gravely, then asked. “What’s going on here with the cameras?”
    I told him about the TV show we’d been getting ready to film.
    â€œReality program?” Sergio asked. “It’s worse than I thought. A missing American, that is one thing, but a TV celebrity?”
    â€œWe’re not celebrities,” I said. “Not like that. I mean, he wasn’t kidnapped by the paparazzi or anything,” I said.
    Sergio made me walk through the events of the previous night one more time. I knew the drill. He was listening for inconsistencies in my story.
    The walkie-talkie on his shoulder holster beeped, a burst of Spanish firing across the wire. I sprang off the bench.
    Sergio listened, a grim look on his face.
    â€œWhat is it? Did they find him?” I asked.
    Sergio frowned as he listened, giving me an almost imperceptible shake of the head.
    Anxiety clawed at my chest. “What then?” I asked.
    Sergio stood and walked away from the table, speaking rapidly into the walkie-talkie. My heart raced and I felt like I was about to come out of my skin. Even though I couldn’t understand Sergio’s words, I could tell by the tone of his voice something was desperately wrong.
    I rushed to the tent and called Becca’s name. She popped her head out.
    â€œWhat’s going on?” she asked.
    â€œHow good is your Spanish?”
    She glanced toward Sergio and frowned. She shook her head after a moment. “He’s talking too fast.”
    I buried my head in my hands, the uncertainty taking a toll.
    â€œDamn, he’s hot though, huh?” Becca asked.
    â€œI hadn’t noticed,” I lied.
    She snorted. “Please. I know this is a tough time for you, Georgia, but anyone with a pulse can see the guy’s gorgeous.”
    â€œGo for it,” I said.
    Becca said, “You know I’m sworn off men, at least for the time being. Plus, what kind of a jerk would it make me?”
    â€œWhat do you mean?” I asked.
    â€œHe’s trying to locate Scott. I don’t want to be the one to distract him.” She batted her eyelashes at me.
    We giggled. My shoulders relaxed ever so slightly, then I immediately felt guilty. Scott was missing, what the hell was I doing, laughing and yukking it up with Becca? Sergio turned around toward us.
    â€œWe have a situation, I need to leave you two ladies. Please call me if you have any more information.”
    â€œWait, what? What situation?” I asked.
    â€œI need to go check in with my team,” he said.
    â€œWhat’s going on?” Becca