Chapter 30
Sol
It was as if she’d been overcome with some sort of sudden inspiration.
Sol wasn’t sure what it was: staying in her hometown for an extended period, feeling like she was an integral part in the detectives’ investigation, Luke looking at her in such a yearning way—he’d always been warm and intense toward her but these past few days were definitely more extreme.
Whatever it was, it was making her feel the need to take to her laptop and type.
And that was exactly what she did after doing a little more research for Luke.
She was devising the second book in her mystery series.
Finishing the manuscript for the first one had almost been painful, feeling she was saying goodbye to the characters and world she’d so much enjoyed spending time with.
Going back there was proving to be what she just needed.
But she was taken from a writing session by a call from Luke. She picked up right away.
“Hola,” she answered, still absent-minded and rereading the last few words she’d typed.
“Sorry to bother you, cara. I know you’re writing.” There was worry in his words.
“I was almost done for the day.” It was true. She was happy with the progress and feeling a much-needed break was necessary. The urgency to be with him assailed her. “And about to make myself a cup of tea with something sweet to eat.”
“Like a piece of fruit?” He knew her so well.
She ignored his comment. “How can I help you, Luca?”
“Divya and I need to talk about the case.”
He probably wanted to tell her he’d be late that evening. Of course, she understood. Perhaps she’d hoped to see him, to also be part of the debrief, but she could hardly expect a couple of experienced detectives to include her in everything.
“We were wondering if we could pick your brain about it.”
“Of course!” Sol squealed. She stopped, breathed deeply, then proceeded at a more dignified pace and tone. “Why don’t you two come over? We can have tea together, maybe get dinner later if the chat runs long?”
“Sounds terrific. We’ll make sure to get some pastries on our way there.”
“You and your sweet tooth,” she teased him.
···
A couple of hours had passed. They’d chatted extensively about the case, but a few cups of tea and several sweets from Pastisseria Hofmann later, and they still were no closer to deciphering what had happened to Leonardo Pascual.
“What I don’t understand”—said Sol, sitting on one of the dining chairs around the round table in their apartment in Barcelona—“is this business about the notes. Who left them? And why?”
“You helped us establish the why, remember?” Luke lifted his eyes from his notebook to give her the full attention of his dark brown eyes. Sol almost felt herself shiver. “The notes were covering the stuff that was taken from the dressing room and the hotel room.”
“Okay, who took the stuff then and why?” Sol asked.
“I reckon we shouldn’t rule out a thief, right?” Divya contributed. “Someone could have learned about Leonardo being missing and took advantage of the situation.”
“Like a fan wanting to keep some mementos from their favorite actor?” Sol didn’t see that happening.
“Isn’t it a bit too dangerous for just a few cosmetic products and clothing items?
I mean, it was very expensive stuff but some of the clothes were super distinct and recognizable.
I’ve been scouring the internet, but I couldn't find a single one of Leonardo’s garments for sale in some of the secondhand luxury online stores. ”
“So what do you think happened?” Luke asked Sol.
“Either he was kidnapped or he made himself disappear—for very unclear reasons. But since no kidnappers have tried claiming any ransom…” Sol stopped before finishing.
It could also have been that whoever had taken Leonardo didn’t want any money in exchange, despite what they’d written in the notes, just to keep him in secret for as long as possible.
“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I preferred the time you guys were investigating a murder. ”
“No, you didn’t,” Luke contradicted her. “You really felt for the murderer back then, remember?”
She flicked her hand in front of her face. “Whatever. At least then things made some sense. This case really doesn’t.”
“Yeah, it doesn’t,” Divya admitted. “I’m tempted to believe Leonardo just felt too much pressure and decided to take a few days off. It’s the only thing that makes sense with what we have so far.”
Sol sighed. “I agree. I mean, I get what Bobby told you about Leonardo working very hard to reach this point in his career…”
“Don’t let that deter you from whatever you think happened. Bobby admitted to losing his marbles. Can we truly trust anything he said?” Luke encouraged Sol.
Divya made a reassuring gesture, as if sharing her detective partner’s view.
Sol inhaled, found the strength. “Okay, here’s the thing.
I interviewed Leonardo that day. He was nervous about the play, anxious about the new show, worried about doing everything—even if he didn’t want to show any of that.
He was tired. I don’t think I’ve told you because I hadn’t really grasped it until now, but he was so exhausted he didn’t even look his usual irrefutably sexy. ”
Luke arched an eyebrow, looked at her with inquisitive eyes. “You certainly never said a word about him not being sexy, cara.”
Sol rolled her eyes. “I didn’t say he wasn’t sexy. By human standards, he was still smoking hot. I’m just saying, he wasn’t as extremely sexy as usual.”
Luke's nostrils were flaring, he was about to object to Sol's words about Leonardo. Divya didn’t allow it. “Not now, mate,” she commanded. “I think we’re finally making progress. The chap is forty-five and on the brink of making it big in Hollywood, if I’ve understood anything about this whole case.
What if, the day he disappeared, he got to the theater after the long interview.
He looks at himself in the mirror and sees exactly the same Sol did: he isn’t looking his usual irresistible self.
He knows part of his success is due to his talent but he wouldn’t have made it that far if it wasn’t because he looks like he does. Am I right?” Divya asked Sol.
Sol nodded. “He sure is no character actor. He owes a lot to his looks. His talent has only helped him cement things and get better roles, but he wouldn’t have made it this far if he wasn’t tall, muscular, and handsome.”
“Okay, we get it. The chap is pretty!” Luke protested.
Sol had never understood what it was that he had against Leonardo Pascual.
Divya simply dismissed Luke and continued: “So he checks himself in the mirror, realizes he has a big show coming up that could decide his future, and says: ‘You know what? Let me take a couple of days.’”
Sol liked Divya’s version of the events. There were still a few threads missing. “But it’s been more than a couple of days.”
“Something could have happened wherever he went. Maybe he met someone. Maybe he was recognized and kidnapped there—or run over by a freaking bus after stepping on dog shit, like Isabel suggested. Only not here, in Barcelona, but somewhere else Leonardo decided to flee to and where we haven’t been looking,” Divya continued.
“So, knowing what we know about him after talking to so many people in his life, where would Leonardo go if he could take a few days off?”
Luke
“The beach,” Luke said.
He was partially joking. But there had been so many mentions of beaches and islands those past few days, that he couldn’t avoid making the comment.
Perhaps it was that they were now in March, and even he was feeling the need for some sun and warmth.
He longed for summer, even. But looking back at the last few days, he recalled a few details that had brought him to utter that response.
Moon had told Luke and Divya that they were convinced the actor would show up on an island, fresh-faced and tanned.
Sandro had said if Leonardo wanted to disappear he’d choose a beach on some island.
Even Bobby had asked the detectives if they’d found Leonardo sunbathing on some beach.
“Oh my god!” Sol said. She stood up, brought her hand to her mouth to cover it. Her eyes were about to bulge out of their orbits. “I know where Leonardo is!”