Blind Faith by Christiane Heggan Read Free Book Online

casino developer eager to bury the competition. But to answer your question, no, the allegations did not bother Jonathan and they did not stop him from coming to work with me. He's a bright young man. He knows a winning hand when he sees one."
    She smiled at that. "Yes, I'm sure he does." She looked into her drink for a second before asking, "Are you surprised that he went to
Miami
?"
    "Very. I don't recall him ever mentioning
Florida
before except when he went there with Victoria and Phoebe."

"What about you?" she asked casually. "Do you ever go to
Florida
?"
    "Only to visit my father. He retired to
Key West
some years ago and I try to get down every chance I get." His eyes bored into hers with such intensity that she almost looked away. "And if I'm correctly guessing your next question, no, Jonathan has never met my father. I don't even believe he'd know how to get in touch with him."
    He was smart. And quick. "Would you say that you know Jonathan well?"
    Syd shrugged. "As well as could be expected under the circumstances."
    "What does that mean?"
    He took another sip of water before replying. "Jonathan is a very private man, as I'm sure you know. Being a private man myself, I respect his wishes to keep his personal life separate from the Chenonceau .   Frankly, that's not very difficult. Except for casino related matters and Monday-night football, Jonathan and I didn't have many things in common. He plays golf and tennis, I don't. I like deep-sea fishing, he won't go near a boat. He's married, I'm a confirmed bachelor."
    A confirmed bachelor with an eye for beautiful women and a new one by his side every couple of months. "But surely you would have known if he was in some kind of trouble."
    "I'm not a mind reader, but yes, I suppose I would have noticed."
    "
Victoria
said he had been moody the last few days. Would you have any idea why?"
    "None." He glanced at her glass, which was still full, and walked over to the cabinet to refill his. "To my recollection, Jonathan was his normal self that entire week. I didn't even notice he was getting sick."
    Syd came back to his seat. "But then I guess he wasn't, was he?"
    "Apparently not. Are you the one who took his call yesterday morning?"
    "No, his secretary did."
    That would be Martha Grimwald . Jonathan always spoke highly of her.
    "Would you mind if I spoke with her?" Kelly asked.
    "Not at all." Syd picked up an extension on a side table and pressed a button. "Martha, could you come in for a minute? Thank you."
    Martha Grimwald was a pleasant, middle-aged woman with graying brown hair and a look of quiet efficiency about her. As if sensing that the summons may have confidential overtones, she quickly closed the door.
    "Martha, this is Kelly Robolo ," Syd said, rising from his chair to meet her halfway. "She's a reporter for the Philadelphia Globe, but more important, she is a close friend of the Bowmans '. She's here to try to make some sense out of Jonathan's disappearance."
    At Syd's silent invitation, Martha sat down. "I'll do whatever I can to help.
Miss.
Robolo ."
    "Thank you, Mrs. Grimwald ." Kelly waited until Syd had taken his seat again before continuing. "I need to know if Jonathan did anything unusual in the past week or so. Did anyone you didn't know come to see him? Or perhaps you overheard a phone conversation?" ' Martha's shoulders stiffened slightly. "I don't eavesdrop.
Miss.
Robolo ."
    "I didn't mean to imply that you did." Trying to amend herself, Kelly smiled. "I was being hopeful."
    Kelly's candor brought a smile to Martha's lips. "I don't recall anything out of the ordinary.
Miss.
Robolo . Jonathan is a creature of habit, you see. He loves his routine and seldom varies from it."

"Can you tell me what a typical day is like for him?"
    "Surely. He's vice president in charge of marketing, and as such, one of his first duties each morning is to meet with his marketing staff.
    They go over promotional brochures, special hotel packages and other ways of