Chapter 1

I hope I’m doing the right thing she thought to herself as she gazed out the window of the car. Leaving her home, even her country to try to make a new start seemed like a good idea a few weeks ago, but now that she’d actually done it, she was having second thoughts. The one thing that she was sure about was her new job. She’d worked hard, going back to school at 35 to become a CSI. It had taken 3 ½ long years, but she’d done it. Now here she was in New Jersey of all places and on her way to her first crime scene. As she watched the scenery passing by she thought about her new apartment that had a great view of the New York skyline….and was only slightly more than she could really afford….good thing it was a safe neighbourhood with a great park nearby…she couldn’t afford a gym membership and she’d fought too hard to feel good about the way she looked to let it all go to pot now.

The car started turning into a paved driveway and she turned her mind to what she was about to face. All her partner had told her was that it was a potential kidnapping that need to be handled quickly and quietly, with the utmost discretion. That definitely had her curiosity going, and the estate they were entering through a locked gate in the wall surrounding it just added to it. The house they pulled up to kind of reminded her of a French chateau and her mind stopped for a moment. You’re wrong. Just because you’re in New Jersey you’ve got Bon Jovi on the brain. Get real! She told herself sternly. Now was not the time to start daydreaming about things that would never happen to someone like her.

As they climbed the steps and entered the front door she couldn’t help but take a good look around. She told herself that she was just doing her job and looking for potential evidence, but deep down she knew she really was just taking the opportunity to check out how the other half lived.

She heard footsteps approaching and quickly stood up straight and gathered her thoughts and her wits….and promptly lost them when she saw the man who was approaching them.

“Lindsay! Are you alright?” asked her partner Brian.

“Yes, sorry I was thinking about where to start.” she improvised quickly hoping that Brian wouldn’t notice her flushed face and racing pulse. Get it together Lindsay! You’re here to do a job not act like a star struck teenager!

As they walked down the hallway to the den, she couldn’t help but steal a few peaks at the assets of the man they were following…hell, what female could? She never thought she’d ever see it this close and she was going to take full advantage while she could.

When they entered the den, a quick look around revealed the distraught woman sitting on a couch, an older couple sitting in matching chairs flanking the couch and slender man standing by the window.

“Now Mr. Bongiovi, I know this is difficult, but if you could just walk us through what happened it would really help us” Brian urged gently.

“Well, my wife and I were out last evening at a movie premiere in New York and got home quite late. Mrs. Hopkins, our nanny, assured us that the kids were all fine, and sleeping. We were tired and didn’t check on them, we just went to bed. This morning when Stephanie didn’t come down at her usual time for breakfast I went to see if she was alright. She wasn’t in her room. I couldn’t find her anywhere in the house or on the grounds. None of the staff have seen her since last night, and the boys have no idea where she is. We’ve called her friend’s but no one’s seen her. Frankly, I didn’t know what to do next, so I called you.” Came the reply.

“So you’re not really sure if she’s went missing this morning or last night” Brian clarified.

Lindsay could see a muscle twitch along that sculpted jaw line before he answered “No, not for sure”

The worry, fear and pain he was feeling came off him in waves that touched her soft heart and made her long to reach out and comfort him, but she managed to maintain a professional distance.

“Would you mind if we have a look around the house and grounds?” Brian asked. Normally, he wouldn’t have bothered to ask, but this wasn’t a normal situation.

At the nod of agreement, Brian sent two techs to take a walk around the grounds and check the security cameras. Then he turned to Lindsay.

“You’re up rookie.”

Knowing this was a test she thought carefully before decided on her first step. Turning she faced the couch. “Would you show me Stephanie’s bedroom please?” she asked the figure huddled at one end. Nodding, Dorothea rose slowly and led the way upstairs.

It was a beautiful room full of personality and spoke volumes about the young girl who lived there. Dorothea stood motionless just inside the door. As she walked around inspecting the room Lindsay tried to get her to talk and maybe relax just a little bit.

“How old is Stephanie now?” she asked even though she knew the answer.

“Thirteen”

“What kind of things does she like to do?”

“Typical things for her age: shopping, dressing up, listening to music, movies, hanging out with her friends, that kind of thing.”

“Anyone new in her group of friends?” As she talked Lindsay slowing walked around the room noting the music and movie star poster on the walls (Hillary Duff, Harry Potter and Aerosmith of all things), the rumpled bed and various articles of clothing strewn on the floor.

“Not that I’ve noticed, and she hasn’t mentioned anyone.”

“Can you tell if any of her clothes are missing?”

“Without going through what’s down in the laundry room, all that I’ve noticed is a pair of jeans and a purple t-shirt”

“When was the last time this room was cleaned?”

“I’m not really sure; she’s supposed to clean it herself. Half the time she forgets and Melanie will do it for her…she thinks I don’t know” she smiled wryly. “I’d have to check with Melanie, but she usually cleans the upstairs on Thursdays.” It was Saturday.

After another circuit of the room collecting fingerprints and stray hairs she found on the bed and windowsill as well as the items of clothing on the floor Lindsay started for the door. Something was bothering her though and she stopped and looked around again. Finally it hit her. There was no hair brush or other typical toiletry items that a 13 yr old would normally have in abundance. Saying nothing she turned again and headed back downstairs.

Standing back as they walked back into the den she watched the look that passed between husband and wife. Hmmmm, something’s a little off here.

“Would it be possible to get fingerprints and DNA samples from everyone who’s been in the house in the last 24 hrs?” she asked the room in general. At the raised eyebrows she quickly explained “it will help when we sort the evidence to eliminate that of the people who belong here.” In response to the nods, she opened her kit and started the collection process.

“Mr. O’Brien, Mr. and Mrs. B, when did you arrive?” she asked. Brian turned to her quickly. “Do you know them?” he questioned a little harshly.

“I’ve never met them, but you could say we belong to the same church.” She smiled to herself.

“I didn’t know you were catholic.” Brian responded with some surprise.

“I’m not” she replied. “It’s not that kind of church.”

“What kind of church is it then?” he asked curious.

“Well, it’s kind of an international group of like minded people.”

“How do you know that these people are part of it?”

“Because Jon is the leader” she replied. Glancing around the room Brian saw everyone smile slightly in confirmation of her statements.

“In answer to your question dear, Jon called us this morning and John and I arrived about 9:00am.” Carol Bongiovi stated.

“And I arrived about 15 minutes later.” Obie added.

Lindsay nodded in acknowledgement as she moved to the sofa with her ink and swabs.

“I know this is a difficult question, but…did either of you have an argument with Stephanie yesterday, or did anything happen that might have upset her?” she asked looking up in time to catch the look that passed between the two parents. Definitely something off here.

“Do you think she ran away?” Jon asked.

“Just trying to cover all possibilities.” she responded.

“I’m not aware of any argument.” He looked at Dorothea who shook her head. They’re lying.




Chapter 2

In the car on the way back to the lab, Brian glanced over at Lindsay.

“You did a good job in there.”

“Thanks. I was wondering why you let me take over the questioning.” She replied.

“You were asking all the right questions and seemed to have a connection with them…must be that church thing.” He smiled. She smiled back.

“So do you think someone kidnapped the girl or did she run away?” he asked.

“I think we should wait until we see what the evidence says before forming an opinion.” she answered quickly.

Brian laughed. “That was the right professional answer, but I want to know what your gut is telling you…and what you picked up on in the house.”

“My gut tells me there’s more going on there than they’re letting on….and based on what I saw – or rather didn’t see, I’m leaning towards the possibility that Stephanie ran away – pending forensic confirmation of course.” She replied.

“What makes you say that?”

“Well, there were certain looks passed around that room that made me feel that we weren’t getting the whole story. And in her bedroom, there were no hairbrushes, perfume, or typical things that a young girl just can’t do without….plus her mother couldn’t tell me what was missing, which makes me think she either isn’t real close to her daughter or she didn’t bother to look – which I find a little strange. It could just be your typical teenage rebellion, I just don’t know.” She shrugged.

“What do you know about them?”

“Their public life – quite a bit, their private life- not much. They keep their private life quite private. I’ve used concerts and interviews to get a feel for Jon’s personality – if what he shows then is real, but that’s about as close as I can get. Plus, people don’t always act normally in times of crisis.” she shrugged again.

Brian nodded in agreement. “Let’s see what we can find in the lab.”

Several hours later, they met again in the conference room with the other members of the team to see where they were at.

“I checked with the record company. There haven’t been any threats or hate mail that they are aware of.” This from Detective Jim Thornton. “Ditto with the band’s management company. In fact the way they tell it, the only mail they get for this guy – and they get lots – is lust mail. The guys an unbelievable chick magnet without even trying. Honestly, I don’t get it.” He shook his head in confusion. The women around the table just smiled.

“The search of the grounds and security cameras came up empty.” Reported Tom, one of the team that had been dispatched outside of the house. “No sign of footprints and the cameras didn’t show anyone moving around other than the parent’s car leaving and returning at approximately the times they gave us.”

“What about the outbuildings on the estate?” Lindsay asked.

“I checked the guest house, studio and garage – nice collection of cars the man has.” came from Bob.

“Too bad he got rid of the Viper.” Lindsay lamented.

“He had a Viper too? And he got rid of it?” Bob half shouted. “Man, the rock star life must have blown the wires in his brain!” Snickers could be heard around the table, and even Lindsay smiled. She hadn’t been there very long, but even she had heard about Bob and his obsession with sports cars.

“Who checked the Inn?” Lindsay questioned.

“The what?” Brian asked.

“Is that what they call that?” Mike asked before Lindsay could answer. “Nice pool table, and that bar is beautiful. Was he really in those movies that are on the wall?”

“Yes” Lindsay answered. Turning to Brian she explained “it’s kind of a party room. I’ve seen pictures of the inside.”

“Ok, so nothing outside. What about inside?” Brian refocused the conversation.

“We caught a little bit of a break there.” Sheila reported. “I spoke to the cleaning staff and the upstairs was cleaned on Thursday, including the girl’s room. So anything there will be fresh.”

Brian looked at Lindsay and nodded.

“In Stephanie’s bedroom, the bed was disturbed, but it looked more like it was mussed by hands, not someone lying in it. There were three distinct hairs found in the bedding. One belongs to Stephanie, one to Melanie who cleaned her room and one is an unknown male. Likewise there were several fingerprints throughout the room. They all can be matched up to various members of the household – except one unknown set I found on the window sill and also on the dresser. I have been assured that none of her friends have been in the house in the last 3 days. Those prints were also found in the kitchen and the master bedroom.”

“So there was someone else in the house.” Brian observed. “But how did anyone get out without the cameras seeing them?” He turned to Lindsay “Looks like your instincts were right. They aren’t telling us everything. You better do a follow up with your rock star.”

Lindsay nodded and headed for her office as the meeting broke up. Sitting at her desk she pulled out her notepad and flipped to the page with contact phone numbers. If only the girls from the boards could see me now. She thought with a chuckle. I have Jon’s private phone number and I’m about to use it! She took a deep breath trying-unsuccessfully-to calm her nerves.

“Hello” he answered and just the sound of his voice sent shivers down her spine and shot her pulse rate right into the stratosphere.

“Hello Mr. Bongiovi, this is Lindsay Chandler from the crime lab. We met this morning.” There, that sounded very professional and her voice didn’t shake much at all.

“Yes, I remember. Have you got some news for us?” The hope in his voice was almost heartbreaking, especially when she was about to dash it.

“We’re following up on several leads and I’m hoping that we’ll have something concrete very soon. I just have a few questions for you if you have a few minutes.”

“Sure, how can I help?” Even through the phone line she could feel his despair.

“Is there anyway that someone could get in or out of the house and grounds without the cameras seeing them?”

He thought for a minute. “I suppose if you know where the cameras are you could map a path around them to the wall, but there’s only one gate and there’s no way through it without the cameras seeing you.” He paused “Unless you climbed the wall behind the garage where there’s some shrubs and trees and stuff.”

Making a note to ask Tom about the area behind the garage Lindsay chose her next words carefully. “I just wanted to verify that we have a complete list of everyone who’s been in the house in the last three days.”

There was silence at the other end of the line for a long moment and then: “You found evidence of someone else in the house.” It was a statement, not a question.

Sitting up straighter in her chair Lindsay’s investigator’s instincts went on full alert. She sensed that she was on the verge of uncovering at least a clue to the proverbial elephant that was being hidden under the rug. The trick was how to get him to talk about it.

“We’ve been matching up the physical evidence we found with the prints and DNA of the staff, your family members and Obie. Is there anyone that we may have missed?”

“Not that I’m aware of, but I’ll talk to Dorothea and get back to you.”

“Thank you, I’d appreciate it.” She paused. “How is everyone holding up? Is there anything that you need?” Idiot! What a stupid thing to say. Like he’d need anything from you! She winced and slapped her free hand over her eyes.

“We’re ok, but thanks. Just find my daughter.”

“I’ll do my best.”

After hanging up she gave herself a stern lecture about letting her personal feelings, and, let’s face it, attraction to the man to interfere with her ability to do her job. He needs you to focus and find his daughter, not indulge in daydreams that you actually have a relationship with the man!

Pulling her thoughts together, she went to update Brian and the rest of the team on the results of her conversation with Jon.

“I know the area behind the garage that he’s talking about,” Tom said, sifting through various pictures until he found the one that showed that area. “I’ll go back and take a closer look at that area.”

“What about other people in the house?” Brian asked.

“He’s checking with his wife, but my sense is he knows there was someone there, but for some reason he doesn’t want to tell us. He’s supposed to call me back after he talks to her, so all we can do is wait and see what they decide.”

She was coming back from grabbing a quick sandwich and Diet Coke from the cafeteria that the lab shared with the police department next door when the receptionist stopped her. Normally, very cool and collected Julie was obviously flustered.

“You have a guest.” She gushed. “I showed him to your office. Excuse me, but I just have to ask…how do you know Jon Bon Jovi and will you introduce me before he leaves? Don’t get me wrong, I love my husband, but damn that man is hot!!” In emphasis she picked her message pad and fanned herself with it.

Lindsay had to laugh. “I know. I met him this morning and I’m still pinching myself that it’s real!” She probably could have told Julie it had to do with a case, but she figured the fewer people who knew the better he would like it.

Entering her office she saw him standing looking out her window. Once again her pulse spiked and her breathing became uneven. Julie’s right. The man is definitely hot. Best assets I’ve ever seen!

“Mr. Bongiovi, hello”

He turned from the window to look at her but didn’t move otherwise. “Call me Jon. Mr. Bongiovi is too formal and for strangers.” He looked grim, but determined. “By the time I leave here today you and I are going to be anything but.”







Chapter 3

Shutting the door behind her, Lindsay took a deep breath and moved to take the seat behind her desk. She waived Jon toward the chair across from her. He hesitated briefly, than sat down, running his hand through his hair in what was obviously a nervous gesture. She waited patiently to find out what was on his mind.

Finally he looked at her. “Where are you from?”

Surprised by the question it took her a minute to respond. “A small town in Ontario Canada.” She replied.

“Husband, boyfriend, kids?”

Sensing that he was trying to form some sort of comfort level with her before revealing his secrets she settled in and did what she rarely did – talked about herself. “No, no and no.”

His eyebrows went up in surprise. “Really?”

“Really.” This in a tone that told him to change the subject.

“Parents, brothers and sisters?”

“Both parents still living, two older brothers – both married, no sisters, four nephews and two nieces ranging in age from 20 to 11.”

“What brought you to New Jersey?”

She paused for a long moment debating on how much of the truth to tell him.

“All of it.” He said. She looked up at him in surprise.

“No I can’t read your mind, just your face.” He smiled. “You want me to share my secrets, you’re going to have to share some of your own. Fair is fair after all.”

Lindsay took another deep breath, blew it out and nodded in agreement. “I needed to make a change in my life. I’d had several years of bad luck on all fronts- job, love life, health – and I decided something a little drastic was called for. So I went back to school, earned my degree in forensics and started looking around for a new job. In Ontario the Centre for Forensics does most of the work, so I started looking elsewhere. When I saw the job posting for here, I thought, what the hell, and sent in my application. I arrived about three weeks ago, found an apartment, and started work.” She paused “This is my first case.”

He nodded. After a moment he said “we lied about there not being an argument. Only it wasn’t with Stephanie, it was between Dorothea and I. I think Steph may have overheard us though.”

“Would it have upset her to hear it?” she asked.

“This particular fight, yes I think it would.” He looked agonized and guilty.

“Where would she go if she was upset?”

He shook his head “I don’t know anymore. A couple of years ago I could have found her in about five minutes, but lately…..” He just frowned and shrugged his shoulders.

“Hey, she’s growing up. It’s only natural that she wouldn’t confide in Daddy so much anymore.” She assured him gently.

“I know, it’s just that it’s hard to let her go, even a little, and I…miss her.” He sighed.

She waited to see if there was more. Suddenly he jumped up from his chair and started pacing the room. He stopped in front of the window and stood staring out.

“You’ve been trained to test and read DNA results, right?” he questioned.

“Yes, but I haven’t done any actual testing yet here. We have a lab tech that does all that. I just interpret the results.” She answered cautiously.

Again, a pause.

“You took samples from everyone in my family, including the boys?”

“From your parents, Dorothea, the boys, you and Stephanie.” She replied wondering where he was going with this.

“And from those samples you can check things like paternity?”

Suddenly the ball dropped for her.

“Do you want all of them checked or just Romeo?”