Free The Senator’s Daughter by Christine Carroll

Senator.”
    â€œAs you’re wondering what the hell I’m doing in your office, I’ll be blunt. I assume you’ve heard Sylvia is missing.”
    Lyle nodded, noting District Attorney David Dickerson hovering in the hallway.
    â€œAs you were seen kissing my daughter on TV, I wonder if you might have some clue as to her whereabouts.”
    â€œSir … no, sir.” Whoa, he sounded like a boot camp inductee. He closed his mouth to prevent more denial.
    â€œHave you been seeing Sylvia?”
    Lyle couldn’t help glancing at his boss, who listened with interest. “Once. When the cameras appeared …”
    Chatsworth gave a tight smile. “She planted one on you?”
    Thinking of his heated response, Lyle refused to deny it. “I’d say it was mutual.”
    â€œGood.”
    Good?
    â€œLet’s talk turkey.” The Senator gestured for Lyle to take a seat in his own office.
    Lyle pointed in turn to one of his guest chairs.
    Both men sat, at the same time. If the stakes weren’t so high, Lyle might have laughed.
    Dickerson took up a post inside the doorway.
    â€œThey didn’t say on the news …” Lyle faltered. “Any sign of foul play?”
    Waiting for the answer, he controlled his expression. The police must have found his prints all over her place, nice fresh ones. His were on record from having gotten a security clearance.
    â€œHer apartment is clean. Her car is gone.”
    Lyle shifted in his chair. “Begging your pardon, sir, but Sylvia’s not a minor. Isn’t she entitled to get away on her own without saying, ‘Father, may I?’”
    â€œQuite right. She’s taken off a number of times in the past, to New York City, Ibiza, the beaches in Mexico. The difference is, we never had any trouble finding out where she was. She either left a message or called in a breezy, ‘screw you, Daddy’ sort of way and let me know she was on the go and making her own choices. Right or wrong.”
    â€œSo what’s different this time? You haven’t heard from her?”
    â€œNot a peep. From Monday through Wednesday, her mother tried calling her town house and cell nonstop. On Thursday, I had someone check into her credit cards, and there was no action after a boutique purchase on Sunday.”
    Lyle frowned. “When was the last you saw her?”
    â€œI haven’t in weeks.” Chatsworth made a tent of his fingers. “I want my daughter found. And you’re the man to help me.”
    His heart started to drum. “Why me?”
    â€œI think you’ll apply yourself to the job with more, shall we say, enthusiasm than the average detective or paid bloodhound.”
    â€œBecause of the kiss?”
    â€œBecause of the kiss.”
    â€œIf I told you seeing Sylvia with those bikers made me lose interest?”
    â€œIf I told you what I saw on your computer screen makes me doubt that?”
    â€œI’ve got a full-time job here.”
    â€œTake some time off.” Shocked, Lyle turned toward David Dickerson and found the DA’s chin jutted out.
    â€œTime off? I’m not exactly rolling in dough …”
    â€œLyle,” the Senator interrupted. “You’ll be well compensated.”
    â€œI’ll take a personal interest in your cases,” Dickerson offered. Lyle couldn’t believe how blatantly the DA was sucking up.
    Chatsworth inclined his head. “Fine, Dave. Now if you’ll excuse us, I’d like to speak with Lyle privately.”
    Dickerson exited with obvious reluctance.
    As soon as the door closed, Chatsworth turned a sincere gaze on Lyle. “You’ll be paid double what you normally make, and I’ll make sure Dave grants you a leave of absence so your benefits and seniority don’t lapse. And if you find Sylvia, no matter how you find her …”
    Lyle swallowed.
    â€œI’ll settle a half-million dollars on you,”