Colorado Bodyguard by Cindi Myers Page B

the left.
    â€œIt is,” Rand said. “And the other man is the fish shop owner, Alan Milbanks. Did Lauren ever mention that name to you?”
    She shook her head. “I never heard of him until you mentioned him to me.”
    â€œHe may have been the last person to see Lauren before she disappeared.”
    * * *
    R AND   AND S OPHIE   returned to Ranger headquarters with the photograph. Graham and Michael Dance met them there. “This photo proves a link between Lauren and Alan Milbanks,” Sophie said. “And a link between Alan and Richard Prentice.”
    â€œLet’s bring him in for questioning,” Graham said. He studied the photo. “Where was this taken, I wonder.”
    â€œLooks like a parking lot,” Rand said. “The photo’s grainy enough, it could be a still from a security camera.”
    Graham passed the photo to Rand. “Give it to Simon—see if he can determine where it came from. In the meantime, you and Michael bring Milbanks in. Let’s see if he can tell us more about this picture and his relationship with Richard Prentice and Lauren Starling.”
    â€œWhat can I do while you’re gone?” Sophie asked. She was doing a good job of keeping it together, presenting a calm outer facade, but he sensed her anxiety climbing.
    â€œWe have copies of your sister’s cell phone records. Get with Carmen and see how many of the numbers you recognize.” He squeezed her shoulder. Maybe when he got back with Milbanks, they could have that dinner they’d been putting off. He was looking forward to sitting down with her and having a conversation that didn’t focus on police work and her missing sister.
    â€œAll right. I’ll do that.” She turned to Graham. “I’m sorry about the trouble we caused downtown,” she said.
    â€œNever mind that.” He waved away her apology. “Emma said the store owner overreacted. But I can see I need to keep you three women away from each other. Emma can get into enough trouble by herself. She doesn’t need help.”
    Rand left Sophie at his desk, scanning through the call list from Lauren’s cell phone carrier. He loaded Lotte into his cruiser while Michael Dance waited in the passenger seat. Behind them, the dog danced around, panting excitedly. “What’s up with her?” Michael asked. “Why is she so antsy?”
    â€œShe knows something’s up. That she’s going to work.” He started the vehicle and backed out of his parking space.
    â€œHow does she know that?”
    â€œI guess she picks up vibes from me.” He shrugged. “Dogs are sensitive. They’re attuned to their surroundings in a way we can’t even imagine.”
    Once again, he headed out of the park, back toward town and the fish market. Michael fiddled with the radio, but finally switched it off. Reception was lousy here in the mountains. “So, what do you make of this Sophie chick?” he asked.
    Rand stiffened. “What do you mean?”
    â€œDo you think she’s on the level, all this stuff about being followed and smelling her sister’s perfume and all?”
    â€œYeah, I think she’s telling the truth. Don’t you?”
    â€œI was just wondering. I hear sometimes mental problems run in families.”
    He gripped the steering wheel harder, knuckles whitening. “Yeah, so what’s your excuse?”
    â€œHey, don’t be so touchy. I’m just trying to look at this from all angles. Isn’t that what we’re supposed to do?”
    â€œSophie’s only problem is that she’s concerned about her sister, who’s been missing a month, and the police have made pretty much zero progress on the case. I don’t blame her for being a little upset.”
    â€œShe got to you pretty quick, didn’t she?”
    He glared at Michael. “I don’t know what you’re talking