James jotted down a few notes before asking another question. “Can you think of anyone she may have left the party with? A friend or a boyfriend maybe?”
“No, no. Eva is really only close with Bridget. And she’s so busy right now, she doesn’t have time for a boyfriend. Her father abandoned us. It happened years ago, but after Eva’s dad left, she became a lot more shy and reserved. She doesn’t trust too many people. I thought that would help keep her safe.” She took a deep, shaky breath.
“Eva’s father?” Schilling questioned. “Is he the reason for all of the security measures?”
“He managed the security company that installed everything. It was all paid for, and when he left, I didn’t see a reason to take any of it down.”
“But you’re not worried about him coming back or anyone else trying to harm you or Eva?” James asked.
“Oh, no. Eva’s dad left a note making it very clear he was finished with the relationship and wouldn’t be coming back, and there’s no one I can think of who would want to hurt either of us.” The pocket of her long cardigan chimed, and she rushed to take out her phone. “It’s only Bridget. She’s down the street and will be here soon. Hopefully she knows something that will help.” She let the phone drop onto her lap.
“We’ll be sure to talk to her when she gets here,” James said.
“Thank you. I felt foolish for calling the police, but I know deep down there’s something wrong. My daughter’s in trouble.” Lori’s face dropped into her hands and her shoulders shook with her sobs.
James left the rocking chair and crouched next to her. “You were right to call us. We’ll find your daughter.” He placed his hand on her back and patted it gently as it heaved up and down. “I promise we’ll find her.”
“Graham, looks like there’s a visitor.” Schilling motioned to the street.
A petite young woman rushed from a white Camaro to the security gate. It beeped as she quickly punched in a code on the keypad. She paused a moment and the gate slid open. Without waiting, she turned sideways and squeezed through the open space between the moving gate and the fence. Her blond ponytail bounced against her neck as she jogged through the yard.
James walked to the front of the porch. “Are you Bridget?”
“Yes, Bridget Falling. Eva’s best friend.” She took James’s place beside Lori.
“Bridget, you didn’t have to come over,” Lori said weakly.
Bridget smiled affectionately. “I’m always here for you and Eva.” She turned back to James. “I want to help. Is there anything you need from me?”
“I do have a few questions. Mind if we talk over by the gate?”
“Not at all.”
Schilling heaved himself from the rocking chair and followed.
“Do you know what time Eva arrived at the hotel and where she parked her car?” James asked.
“I know she was late. She got there sometime around eleven or eleven thirty, I think. Sorry, I had a few drinks before she got there so the time frame part is a little blurry. She did have to park a few blocks away though. She can’t parallel park. I’m always telling her she needs to learn, but…” Bridget’s voice trailed off.
“Do you remember what she was wearing?” Schilling asked.
“I definitely remember that. A green pleated chiffon mini dress with gold Jimmy Choo wedges.”
James hesitated a moment before writing down the description, unsure of what a pleated chiffon mini dress looked like. “Did Eva get into any arguments last night or the days leading up to it? Or does she have any enemies that you know of?”
“She doesn’t have any enemies. She’s way too nice of a person. But something did happen last night between her and Spencer, Spencer Burke.”
“Who is Spencer Burke?” Schilling asked.
“A guy from school.”
“A boyfriend?”
“I don’t think so. And Eva sent me a text that made it sound like it definitely won’t be on in the future.”
“Do you know what happened?” Schilling prodded.
“No, I don’t know exactly what went down. She sent me this text mentioning it, and she didn’t sound scared or hurt or anything. But whatever happened made her leave. I feel so guilty. I pretty much pushed her onto him. I swear to God, if he did anything to her—”
“Miss Falling, you don’t need to worry about that. We’ll handle Spencer.”
James continued the questions. “Any idea where he lives or might be staying?”
“He lives in one of the apartments on campus at TU. I’ve never been there, so I don’t know exactly which one.”
“I didn’t get a chance to ask Ms. Kostas, but do you have a picture of Eva?”
“Oh yeah, tons. They’re all in here.” She took her phone out of her pocket. “If one of you will give me your e-mail I can send them to you.”