The Hunted Girls by Jenna Kernan (best book club books for discussion txt) 📕

her seat belt. “I’d like to speak to Nikki Darnell’s parents, the Millers. See what they have to say about their son-in-law. Before they read it in the papers.”

“We can head over there now.”

“Not alone.”

“I’ll bring a uniform with me.”

“Hadn’t we better tell Skogen?”

“He’s already made his decision. Doing the minimum, contacting her husband as next of kin. But if it were my kid, I’d like to hear it from a father instead of reading it in the headlines.”

“Let’s go. If it’s my idea, Skogen can’t object.”

They drove through a downpour, reaching the offices of C.L. Miller Developers as the rain tapered off just before five in the afternoon.

They were met in the lobby by the uniformed officer Demko had requested. At the management company suite, Demko’s detective’s shield got them past Mr. Miller’s assistant.

Miller stood as they entered a large office filled with heavy dark furniture. Models of building projects sat on the sideboard and framed artists’ renderings filled the walls. Through the floor-to-ceiling windows stood expansive views of other high-rise buildings in Orlando’s business center.

Clem Miller looked like his photos, which appeared on most advertising for his company. He was tan, fit with vibrant blond hair, out of place for a man in his mid-fifties. He ushered them into his posh office.

Miller rounded his desk, hand extended. “Detective, how can I help you?”

Demko motioned to the seating area, six high-backed office chairs ringing a round table with ornately carved legs, like bandits circling a wagon train.

“Could we sit?”

They did. Demko introduced Nadine and then asked Miller when he had last been in contact with his daughter. The man went scarlet. He blustered and blew, reminding Nadine of a bull preparing to charge.

“We’ve severed ties,” he said at last.

“Because of her decision to marry?”

“Detective, I’m not going to discuss personal affairs with you.”

“I see.”

Nadine knew that would be changing because, although the FBI had deemed it unnecessary to notify the Millers immediately, they would likely soon be interviewing them.

“Is your wife here? I understand she works with you.”

“She’s not. Detective, what is this about?”

“Sir, I’m assisting the FBI with a homicide investigation. We’ve made a positive identification on one of two victims.”

“The bodies at the river?”

“Yes, sir. I’m very sorry to inform you that one of those victims was your daughter.”

He had gone pale and his lips were suddenly bloodless and gray.

“It’s a mistake.”

“No, Mr. Miller. We have DNA confirmation and have a positive identification on Nikki Darnell.”

“Don’t call her that! It’s Nikki Miller!” He was on his feet now. A shove sent the chair crashing into the credenza, toppling a statue of a dancer.

“Mr. Miller, I’m very sorry for your loss.”

“I knew that guy was trouble. It’s him, isn’t it? That low-life, moneygrubbing excuse for a man. He did this!” He turned toward the door.

The young officer looked to Demko, who held out a hand.

When Demko spoke, it was with a tone of authority Nadine had never heard.

“Sir, you need to sit right now.”

Miller gave him a look of outrage but then retrieved his chair and sat.

“He’s not getting a penny,” he said. “I’ll see he’s locked up for the rest of his life.”

“You have some reason to believe that Roger Darnell would harm your daughter?”

“He tried to get me to buy them a house. He hinted he needed a new truck. Even asked me to hire him on one of my building projects. As if I would ever… The man is a parasite. It’s why I cut her off. Now he’ll be after the insurance money,” he said to himself and then pointed at Demko. “He won’t get it.”

“Did he have a policy on Nikki?”

“No! Hell no. He couldn’t afford to get his truck fixed. I’ve got the policy. Oh, no, the trust.”

“Trust?” asked Demko.

“I put her shares of my company in a trust so he couldn’t get at them. But…”

He didn’t need to finish. Those shares were likely now part of Nikki’s estate and without a will, they would eventually pass to her husband.

Nadine broke in here. “Mr. Miller, I’m very sorry for your loss, but I wonder if you might need to contact your wife before this story breaks. I’m sure it would be better if she heard it from the detective or from you.”

He was on his feet again. “This will just kill her.” He reached for the phone and hit the intercom button. “Rebecca, find my wife. Get her here and tell her it’s urgent.” He paused, listening. “I don’t care where she is. Send someone and get her here now!”

Off the phone now, he paced before them.

“Mr. Miller, I need to get a better picture of Nikki,” said Nadine. “I’d like to interview you and your wife. It will help our investigation.”

Miller raked a hand through his thick hair. “Yes. Ask Rebecca. She’ll schedule it.”

“Fine. Mr. Miller, I am truly sorry for your loss.”

Miller pressed his mouth into a tight line. But tears now coursed down his face as grief overcame fury, at last.

“Do you have any questions for me?” asked Demko.

“Questions? Hell no. My God. I knew something terrible… I should have…” He lifted his gaze to the pair of them.

Demko placed his card on the table and she did the same. They stood in unison.

“Officer Gaines will stay here until your wife arrives. If you have questions, please call.”

Nadine nearly reached the door when Miller spoke.

“Dr. Finch, you find who did this to my little girl.”

“Yes, sir. That’s what I’m here for.”

In the outer office, they stopped to schedule a meeting for the following day, then left the building. Back in the SUV, they drove in silence to the highway.

“What do you think?” asked Demko.

“Being after his wife’s money doesn’t make him a killer.”

“Doesn’t eliminate him either.”

“True. I’ve got to tell Skogen.”

Nadine and Demko made it to the hotel after eight, due to the perpetual tie-ups on I-4. She’d had a brief conversation with Skogen on their visit with the Millers en route and just received a text from Juliette