Disclaimer: I do not any of the characters of Without a Trace, they belong to Jerry Bruckheimer Productions. I do however own all the other characters that you are not familiar with.

Thanks for all the reviews! Mariel, and Goldstranger thanks very much glad to know you love my story.


Chapter 4: Great-grandmother

27 Hours Missing/11 am

Sam knocked on the front door of what could only be described as a mansion. The double doors opened to reveal a plump black woman, about the age of 50. "May I help you?"

"Yes, we are Agents Sam Spade and Marting Fitzgerald, were with the FBI, Mrs. Lilia Kingston is expecting us."

"Come in, right this way." she said as she shut the door behind Martin, and led them through the spacious living room. Sam was sure she could fit her whole apartment in the huge living room. Sam and Marting followed the woman to the kitchen. "Mrs. Lilia, these Agents are here to see you. This is Agent Sam Spade, and Agent Marting Fitzgerald."

As the maid stepped aside, Sam's eyes fell on an elderly woman. From what Valerie had told her, she as 96 years old. Despite her age, Sam could still see the beauty she once possessed. "Welcome, please have a seat," said Lilia. "My grand-daughter called me, I can't believe my Alicia is missing. Anything I can do to help, I will."

"We understand that you are very close to Alicia." said Sam.

"Yes, very. You know most people her age, no offense, but they want to hear from people my age. Alicia is different, she really cares."

"She ever mention any trouble she was having with anyone?" asked Martin.

"No not in years. And the last time was 2 years ago, but I will never forget that night."

"Why? What happened?" asked Martin. Not really thinking it was pertinent to the case, but not wanting to rule out anything at this point, he had to ask every question possible.

"Well, she had just started taking acting classes, and one night she showed up here, near tears .....

Flash

"What's the matter honey?" asked Lilia. She had just opened the door to find her great-granddaughter standing there, near tears.

"Oh, Grand, it's awful."

"Come on in, have a seat and tell me what is bothering you." she said, as she put her arm around Alicia, and guided her to the couch.

"I was rehearsing lines with a guy at his place," she started.

"He didn't try anything did he?"

"No, it's nothing like that. While I was there he received a call from a friend of his, he didn't even bother to turn the sound off. His friend said that the acting classes must be paying off for him cause he managed to fool that old bat out of $800,000 dollars."

"Oh how awful."

"Can you believe it, some people are just so greedy!"

Flash Ends

"She was so angry." finished Lilia.

"Understandable, what ever became of the situation?" asked Sam.

"The guy never showed up to class after that. Guess it was too much of a risk for him. After all, Alicia could rat on him. Haven't heard anything else about it since."

"Did she ever use his name?" asked Martin, as he took out his little black notebook.

"Yeah, but I don't remember it, something like Steven."

"We'll look into it." said Martin. "We understand from talking with Valerie, your grand-daughter, that Alicia was supposed to be here tomorrow morning. Why was she coming here? Anything particular, or just to visit?"

"Actually, the whole family is coming tomorrow, I am getting married. Alicia is my Maid of Honor, she is supposed to be here early, to help me get dressed and ready for my big day."

"Is your fiancé around, we need to speak to everyone who knows Alicia." said Sam.

"His name is Bentley Little, and he has never met Alicia, he hasn't met any of my family yet. We net on a cruise and fell in love."

"Would you mind if I speak with your maid?" asked Sam.

"Ruthie!" yelled Lilia. "Come in here and speak with this nice girl, Sam right?"

"Right. Ruthie, can I speak with you in the other room please?"

"Sure."

As Sam walked out of the kitchen with Ruthie, she heard Lilia asked Marting if he cared or some tea. He graciously accepted. Which almost made her snicker, he hated tea.

"Ruthie, how well do you know Alicia Waters?" asked Sam.

"Very well ma'am. Fine young lady."

"As you may already know, Alicia is missing."

"Yes, I know. I pray nothing has happened to that sweet child."

"When was the last time she came by?"

"A few days ago, Wednesday I think. She wanted to meet the fiancé, Mr. Little. But he wasn't here."

"She seem happy about the marriage?"

"Yes indeed, she was very happy to hear that her Grand was happy and getting married, despite the age difference."

"Age difference?"

"She's 96, he's 56."

"Mrs. Kingston mentioned that Alicia never met Mr. Little. How comfortable does he seem with the idea that by tomorrow he will be a great-grandfather?"

"Not very comfortable, as you can imagine. Wish you could have seen his face Monday night when Mrs. Lilia showed him a picture of Alicia."

"What happened?"

"He choked on his tea, and went nearly white."

"OK, thank you for your help." said Sam, as she turned and walked back toward the kitchen, where she had had left Martin. "We need to be going, thank you Mrs Kingston for your time."

"Your more than welcome, please do everything possible to find my Alicia."

"We will, I promise." said Sam.

As Sam got into the car next to Martin, she said, "When we get back to headquarters, I want to see if we can find that guy Alicia talked about years ago."

"Why?"

"Cause if Alicia can finger him, he would be smart to do away with her."

"True."

"But just between you and me, I hope it's nothing."

"Me too."

Next chapter is on the way, please be patient ....