THE PERFECT TEN (Boxed Set)

sent to the courier in Virginia?”
    “That’s the one.” Thank God, he remembers. “Do you remember what she looked like?”
    He studied her. “Yes. Yes, I do.”
    Her heart raced, and she prayed she wouldn’t screw up anything the police had already done. Was he going to answer?
    His face softened. “I remember her because, you see, she was wearin’ one of them fringy coats. Kind of looked like a hippy from back in the sixties. She’d have been a looker back then, but you’re too young to know what I mean by that. She was tallish. Long, straight brown hair. Said she was just passing through.”
    “You’re sure?”
    “Positive. Why do you ask?”
    “I’m Kasey Phillips. The package was sent to me.”
    He wagged a crooked finger toward her. “No, young lady. You are not the lady that sent that package.”
    She nodded. “Oh, I know. Do you think if I sent an artist over, you could describe her well enough for them to sketch a picture?”
    He tapped his finger to his temple. “Mind like a steel trap. I can do that.”
    “Excellent,” she said, her voice jumping as high as her hopes.
    “You seem pretty excited about that. Mind me askin’ what this is all about? Police wouldn’t share much.”
    “No, sir. I hope you can help me.” She told him the story of the accident and Jake’s disappearance.
    He reached across the counter and patted her arm. “I’m so sorry.”
    “Me, too. I pray for any lead that might help me. Mr.... Where are my manners? I’m sorry. I didn’t get your name.”
    “Lightner.”
    She grabbed a business card off the counter. “I’ll have someone call and set up a time to come by as soon as possible, Mr. Lightner.”
    “That’ll be fine. I hope I can help.” His brows wiggled again. “I bet you’re a wonderful mother.”
    She pressed her hands to her heart. Her eyes welled. “That’s a nice thing for you to say. Thank you.” She shook the card his way as she backed out of the store. “I have someone waiting on me, but we’ll be in touch.”
    He waved goodbye, shook the paper open, and turned his attention to the morning news.
     
    * * * *
     
    Back in the limo, Kasey couldn’t contain her excitement. She thanked the driver so many times for stopping that he rolled up the window between them.
    She dialed Von and passed along the news. Once he finished fussing at her for going to the courier service, he agreed to arrange for a sketch artist to visit Mr. Lightner and follow through with the lead.
    A newfound sense of strength came over her. She relaxed against the fine leather, basking in the knowledge she was doing everything she could think of to find Jake.
    The driver looked at ease as he maneuvered through the traffic, then parked in front of the hotel. Kasey was greeted by a concierge who escorted her to Cody Tuggle. As they passed through the lobby, the concierge introduced himself as David Allen. He was so proper she didn’t dare ask if those were his first and middle names, or first and last, though she wondered. He told her the bellman would retrieve her bags and deliver them to her suite. She hadn’t expected this level of opulence in décor or service.
    David Allen led her to a private elevator and punched in the code for the penthouse. When they reached the top floor, they stepped into a marble sitting area with a skylight overhead and faced a set of huge double doors. David Allen pulled a gold key from his suit pocket and twisted it in the lock.
    Kasey entered the grand room. White marble floors glistened as bright as fresh Aspen snow. Carpeted areas sectioned off the space with pile so deep her high heels sank, making it hard to keep balance. She followed through the huge space toward the hum of conversation. An impromptu interview area had been arranged at the far end of the room—two large black leather chairs and stage lights that burned so bright she sensed the sizzle from yards away. Near the interview area, Cody sat with a paper cape tucked into the collar of his white shirt. A pretty blonde dabbed his forehead with a sponge.
    “You made it.” Cody said, leaning to dodge the woman who was now coming at him with a huge makeup brush. “I was getting worried.”
    Kasey hadn’t considered that her little detour would be noticed by anyone but the driver.
    Cody spoke to a dark-haired woman who then crossed the room to greet Kasey.
    “He’ll wrap up in just a little bit. I’m Annette. I run the publicity campaign for his tour.” She