Steve Elway

TA in computer science at the University of Denver

Tiffany Morrow’s tutor before her kidnapping

She now wants him to help her prove that someone is embezzling money from her family’s corporation

Sneak Peek

A slap on Steve’s shoulder had him turning to find Prof. Thomson, a professor in the computer department. “What’s this? Steve Elway is actually dressed for the weather?”

Steve laughed and pulled his scarf down to speak. “It’s still not Lake Michigan cold, but I hate to flaunt my ability to withstand the single digits in front of the older set.”

This time Thomson laughed. “Be careful, Elway, or I’ll give your classes to Amal.”

If Steve didn’t need the money, he’d let Amal have them. It would give him more time to work on Tiffany’s Pragnalysis embezzlement claims. He had a comeback on his lips that froze with the remembrance of her offer of half a mil to help her break through Pragnalysis security. “You know what?” he shifted. “I really could use next week off if he wants to step in. I’ve had some… family business come up that I should take care of.”

Thomson looked suddenly sober. “Nothing serious, I hope.”

He shrugged. “Serious, but not deadly.” At least he hoped that was the case. Embezzlers were probably not Sunday School teachers.

“I’ll give him a call this afternoon and let you know. Just the week?”

Steve nodded, hoping that would do. “Yeah, I think so. I really appreciate it.”

Thomson nodded, and the two walked together out of the conference room and the building, chatting about some of their more challenging students. “Hey,” Thomson said as they both headed toward the parking lot, “weren’t you a tutor for that Morrow girl?”

Steve swallowed and pulled his scarf back up. “Yeah, she was struggling, but she had quizzed out of the lower-level classes.”

“Hell of a deal to be sold to a Brazilian brothel.”

Steve blinked. “A what? A brothel?”

Thomson hit the button on his key fob, and the lights blinked on the man’s car. “That’s what I heard, although it could just be a rumor.”

Thomson said a final goodbye before getting in his vehicle, and Steve walked to his car, feeling sucker punched. He sat a moment in the cold car, Thomson’s words going around again. He shook his head, suddenly angry with himself. What did you think happened to beautiful women who were kidnapped, Steve? They usually end up dead or trafficked.

Sexually trafficked.

He ground his teeth as he started his car. Tiffany hadn’t been the only one pretending she was okay. He’d been doing it ever since she’d gone missing.