Free Tell Me a Lie (The Story Series Book 3) by Tamara Lush Page B

voice, projecting an aura of calm I didn’t feel inside. “What can I do to help?”
    Laura rushed over and wrapped an arm around my waist. “You don’t need to do anything, sweetie. Relax.”
    I shot her a hard stare. “You know I love you, but I can’t relax. I need to be doing something ,” I said through a clenched jaw.
    “Okay. Okay.” She squeezed her eyes tight, then opened them.
    I rubbed her arm. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to snap.” I sighed, then hugged her. “Thank you for being here. I don’t know what I’d do without you and Sarah and Colin.”
    She shook her head. “It’s okay. We’re all trying to hold it together. I had to take an extra Valium this morning. It’s the only way I’m getting through this. Let me bring you up to speed.”
    Laura detailed which private investigators they were thinking of hiring and how the King Group’s team in Brazil was attempting to meet with the top police brass in the city, in hopes of starting an investigation.
    “Has anyone looked at the hotel surveillance cameras? Or the condo building surveillance video? I know Caleb mentioned the new building had cameras because he’d had to deal with a contractor issue there,” I said, trying to be helpful. “And why can’t they track his phone?”
    “They’re working on it. The police need to be involved, and they’re still reluctant to open a case until twenty-four hours has passed.” Laura took notes and held up her pen, waving it at me. “Oh, and we’re going to call the media. We’re arranging interviews with Brazil outlets first. Colin will do the interviews, but you’re welcome to join him. One of Brazil’s biggest TV stations is sending their US correspondent up from Miami. They should be here soon. They’re a little reluctant to do anything now because he hasn’t been missing long, but I think we’ve convinced them.”
    I swallowed hard. “Missing,” I whispered. “We’re now calling him missing?”
    Laura nodded, and her eyes watered. Unable to continue the conversation, I turned and retreated to the bedroom, where I sat for a long time on my chaise, thinking of the day Caleb made love to me in our newly redecorated room.
    “I don’t think I could love you any more than I do tonight,” he’d whispered. “And yet, I know I will love you more tomorrow, and the next day and every day after that.”
    I stared out at the bright Florida day and, with my eyes overfull with tears, closed the curtains because I couldn’t stand the sunshine.

Chapter 10
    T he day went excruciatingly slow , with tiny, insignificant details revealed every hour or so. Caleb’s parents arrived in Brazil. They met up with the company’s team. They interviewed two top private investigators, and one was hired.
    The police were still thinking about opening a case.
    The glacial pace was maddening. If only I could fly to Brazil and see for myself where Caleb had last walked, then maybe I’d have a better idea of where he went. Of course, I knew this was the logic of the mad, but helplessness had settled into my chest and my panic level was rising by the second.
    “His wallet and cellphone weren’t in the room,” his father told us on speakerphone. “We’re not sure what it means.”
    No one was sure of anything, and I was sure I would die if they didn’t find Caleb soon. My arms started to itch, as if I was no longer comfortable in my skin.
    “Put on a sweater,” Sarah said, eyeing me as I dug at my arms, red marks streaking down my pale skin.
    My cellphone buzzed, and as I’d been doing all day, I dove for the device in a panic. It was the concierge, asking if the Brazilian TV crew could come up.
    “Of course,” I said, breathless.
    The crew turned out to be three men. A reporter, a camera operator, and a guy who held a fuzzy microphone on a stick. I drank tea and watched them arrange and point umbrella-looking lights at my gray sofa.
    Colin stood next to me. “You should join me,” he said