The Longest Time Without You (Gold Streaks Book 3) by Sylvie Nathan

Chapter 1
     
    It is dark outside. So dark; the starlight stark on the shadow of the ridge outside.
    Sue is opposite her window in the darkness of the kitchen, but she is not looking out at the stark, silent beauty of the night.
    “Hello? This is Sue Montmorency; Gold Ridge Mines? Yes. Yes, I'm well. I'm calling to report a missing person.”
    Sue's voice is rising with frustration and panic, each second she is delayed.
    As she suspected, her status as CEO of one of the country's most prosperous mines brings a quicker response than she might otherwise enjoy from the police.
     
    “When did you notice the disappearance?”
     
    “About two hours ago.”
    Sue's voice, despite her composure, is trembling. Lisa, her partner, has been missing for at least that long, and each second could make things more dangerous for her, wherever she is.
     
    “You can provide a description?”
     
    “Yes. Tall woman, late thirties; long red hair. Brown eyes.” Sue's voice softens, describing Lisa.
     
    “She went missing from work?”
     
    “Yes. Yes, I think so. The last time I heard from her, she was at work. In her office, at Naidu and Marsden law firm.”
     
    “So that was the last place she was seen?”
     
    “Yes. I think so.”
     
    “We will send a team round to you for information, and another to start the search. If anything else happens before they arrive, please keep us informed.”
     
    “Yes. Thank you. Yes, I will.”
     
    Sue is distracted; pacing. She cannot stop the rising panic; she is trembling with concern and worry.
    The click of the phone being put down on the other side leaves her alone again, locked in her doubts and fears. She paces the room, unable to sit still; unwilling to contemplate anything too closely.
    As one of the country's top corporate defense lawyers, Lisa has a dangerous job. So many people could bear a grudge against her. And with this latest case...Lisa had said there was something strange going on; that she felt she was being followed. And now this.
    Sue looks back at her mobile, reading the last message from Lisa: “kidnapped”.
    That was half an hour ago now. Sue has tried so many times to call Lisa, but the phone is unresponsive. Where is Lisa? Who has her? And why?
    Who would know the answer?
    Sue stops pacing a moment; stands and thinks.
    Titus. Lisa's colleague and trusted friend. He will know where Lisa was. He might even have seen her leave, or seen who she was with before she went missing.
    Sue has his number after meeting him at a luncheon for Lisa's work promotion. She finds it on her mobile; calls it.
     
    “Titus?”
     
    “Hey?”
     
    The voice is relaxed, as if disturbed in sleep. A slight African accent, overlaid with years of  education in college and the law-courts.
     
    “Titus. It's Sue. Montmorency? Lisa's partner.”
     
    “Hey, Susan.”
     
    Titus' voice is still lazy, but warmer, now, than it had been. “Can I help you? What's the matter? You sound...stressed.”
     
    “I am stressed, Titus. It's...Lisa hasn't come back home tonight. And I received a message from her mobile. It said “kidnapped.” I am...more than worried.”
     
    There is a moment of silence on the other side of the telephone.
    “Titus? You're still there?”
     
    “Yes. Yes, I am. That's...terrible. Are you sure?”
     
    Strange, how the mind always questions such things.
    “Yes. I am sure. It's her number. But I can't get through to her, Titus.” Sue's voice comes out in a strangled sob. She puts her hand to her throat, holds it; tries to keep the sobs inside.
     
    “...Sorry.” Her voice is still choked. “I can't...can't...”
     
    “Hey. Susan.” Titus' voice is mellow; measured; low. “It's okay.”
     
    “I wish it was.” Sue is sobbing now; bent over with one hand braced on the counter, hot tears running down her cheeks; the other hand holding the phone and trying to mop away the tears.
     
    “Can I come over?” Titus sounds concerned.
     
    “Please do.” Sue's