‘Kidnapped? Oh!’ She drew in a quick, shuddering breath. He said that? Are you sure?’
‘Why, yes. We’re just going to search the house. We’ve only been here two or three minutes. Will you wait in your car? ’
‘Oh, no! I’ll look too. Why should they want to kidnap him?’
‘I asked him that. He said he was Serena Marshland’s husband.’
She pushed past me, ran up the steps and walked quickly along the terrace. I followed her.
Kerman came out and barred the way into the room.
‘I don’t think you should go in there,’ he said mildly.
‘Have you seen Mr. Dedrick?’ she demanded, staring up it him. The light from the room fell on her face. She was lovely in a hard, cold way, with good eyes and a firm mouth and chin. At a guess she would be about thirty, and not the type I would have expected to be a rich woman’s secretary. Her clothes were expensive-looking, and she wore a silk evening wrap over a winecoloured, strapless evening dress with the confidence and grace of a model.
Kerman shook his head.
‘Please look for him. Both of you. Search the house.’