Free Deadline by Fern Michaels

stairs. “If you must know, Chris loaned me his condo for the week. He said he had plans and wouldn’t be here anyway.”
    Abby’s mind raced. Plans? As in going-out-of-town plans? If so, he certainly hadn’t told her or her mother. Not that he had to, but it would have been nice, a common courtesy, she thought. When Chris found out she’d been there at that ungodly hour, he would never let her live it down. Deciding to accept the explanation, she felt her face turn a deep shade of red at the thought of what she must look like. She was glad for the darkness. “Did he mention where he was going?”
    â€œNo, and I didn’t ask,” Steve said. “I gathered he didn’t want anyone to know.”
    Abby wanted to ask how he “gathered” Chris didn’t want anyone to know, but future humiliation prevented her from asking. She nodded. “Well, then, I have to go. My dog is waiting. Could you do me a favor?” she asked timidly.
    â€œI can try,” he said.
    â€œWhen Chris returns, don’t mention this visit.”
    â€œUh, sure, no problem.”
    Without another word, Abby headed for her car. Chester was waiting, his tongue hanging out the side of his mouth. His tail wagged so fast it created a breeze. She started the engine and shifted into reverse. She hit the accelerator so hard, her tires squealed.
    Shit! Now she was sure someone would tell Chris about the bright yellow MINI Cooper peeling out of the parking lot. Big mystery , she thought, knowing Chris would recognize her car. Why hadn’t she bought a silver Toyota like the rest of the world? At that point, it didn’t really matter. She’d learned absolutely nothing.
    Not true, Abby. She’d learned Chris was really out of town, but didn’t know where or with whom. Remembering her promise to call her mother, she removed her cell phone from her pocket and hit the speed dial.
    â€œAbby, I was just about to call the police! Where in the world are you?” her mother exclaimed, her voice laced with worry.
    Did she really want to go into all the details right then? No, but knowing her mother could be relentless when she was upset, Abby decided there was no time like the present. “I went to Chris’s condo, looking for him.”
    â€œDid you find him?” Toots asked.
    Abby hit the SPEAKERPHONE icon. The clubs were closing, and traffic was heavier. Tired, and beyond worried, she needed to focus her attention on her driving.
    â€œNo, but get this. There’s a guy named Steve staying at the condo. He brought his fiancée, a woman named Renée. Chris told him he would be gone for a week, but neglected to say where or with whom.”
    â€œThat sounds just like something Chris would do. He’s very private. His father was the same way. Never told his left hand what his right hand was doing,” Toots said.
    Incredulous, Abby asked, “You don’t think this is suspicious? Chris is gone for a week, and Laura Leigh just happens to disappear?”
    â€œNo, not really. It is odd that Chris was reported as the last person she was seen with. Maybe they were at the same nightclub, and he walked her to her car. He is a gentleman. Chris would do that,” Toots explained, though Abby wasn’t buying it, not one little bit. There was something going on with him, and she planned to find out exactly what.
    â€œThis has nothing to do with Chris being a gentleman, Mom. No one seems to know where he is. An actress is missing and Chris’s name is mentioned in the report.” Abby swerved to avoid a bag of garbage in the middle of the road. “I’m almost home. Can I call you tomorrow? I need to get a few hours’ sleep. I can’t let my employers find me asleep at my desk or at home when I should be editor in chiefing at the office. I promise if I hear any news, I’ll call you.”
    â€œAll right,” said her forgiving employer, who had