And Jason felt like himself again - as if he’d simply slipped back into his own skin.
A seizure, he thought. Or a stroke.
He hurried to the bathroom to check the mirror - did I imagine it? - but the steam had evaporated. He huffed on it, fogging it, searching for a design.
As if to confirm his self-diagnosis - A seizure! A stroke! - there was nothing to see. The SOS had never been there.
Hallucinations.
A brain tumor.
Suddenly, Jason didn’t want to be alone. Or in the house. But where will I go?
He’d figure that out later.
Hallie Bessner slid the plate in front of him. “My lunch break is in ten minutes, if you’d like some company, handsome.” Her smile was beautiful and slow, first lighting up her face, then the entire room.
Jason felt his cheeks go warm. “I’d love it. I’ll eat slow.” He smiled at her and she headed off toward another table.
Despite the fact that The Devil’s Triangle was mostly empty this time of day, the jukebox still bellowed - but now, instead of country, Maroon 5 spilled from the speakers. A couple of guys shot pool nearby and even by day, the place glowed red under the neon signs. Jason wasn’t sure what had brought him here, but he figured it was as good a place as any. At least there are people around. If he had another episode, he didn’t want to be alone.
He looked down at the burger and fries he’d ordered, realizing he wasn’t hungry. He made himself pick up a fry and try it, if only to look busy. While he nibbled, he glanced in the many mirrors that covered the walls of the room. He didn’t look like someone who’d had a seizure or stroke, but there was a haunted quality in his eyes that chilled him. He’d experienced no headaches, and no slurred speech, and that was a relief.
But I did hallucinate. And that was something serious, wasn’t it? He thought perhaps he should make a doctor appointment, but quickly killed the idea. He wasn’t eager to admit he was having delusions. If it happens again, then I’ll go to the doctor. He saw no reason to overreact. He’d been through a lot in a short period of time; it was bound to have some unsavory effects. It’s the move. The stress. Lack of sleep. Bad dreams ...
He was staring down at his plate when Hallie slid into the booth across from him. She had a small salad on a glass plate. “There’s nothing wrong with the burger, is there?”
Jason looked up at her. “No.” He smiled. “I guess I’m just not as hungry as I thought.”
“Are you sure? I can get you something else if-”
“It’s fine. Just take your lunch break and relax.”
Hallie smiled and began mixing her salad with her fork. “It’s great seeing you again. I’m glad you stopped by.”
“You too.” Jason was having a hard time meeting her eyes.
“I hope you don’t mind me joining you.”
“No, of course not. Not at all.”
“Jason?” Hallie set her fork down. “Is everything okay?”
He hesitated. “Of course. Why do you ask?”
“I don’t know. You seem … intense.”
“Oh, I uh, just have a lot on my mind, I guess. There’s a lot to do around the house and I’ve been trying to figure out where to start.”
Hallie bit into her salad. “Well, that’s something new, at least. I’m going to scream if one more person comes in here bemoaning the loss of Savannah Sturgess.”
Jason tried to pull himself into the present. “Yeah, I’ve just about reached my limit with that topic as well. Any idea how much longer we can expect to hear about it?”
She shrugged. “Every day, all day, until she comes home.”
Jason watched her eat - he liked that she didn’t pick at her plate. It was only a salad, but she ate it like she meant it. “Do you think she will? Come home?”
She looked at him, her green eyes inquisitive. “I would think so. Unless something bad happened …” Her eyes darkened. “In which case, I’m the world’s biggest jerk.”
“How’s that?”
Hallie hesitated. “Well, let’s just say I wasn’t - I mean, I’m not - a fan.” She was holding something back; Jason sensed it as surely as horses sensed a coming storm.
“If it helps, I don’t think you’re alone. It doesn’t seem like she has many fans around here at all.”
“Rightfully so.” Hallie impaled a cherry tomato and forked it into her mouth.
Jason’s interest was piqued. “Can I ask you something?”
“Shoot.”
He hesitated, not sure how to word it. He didn’t want to pry, but he couldn’t resist. “What do you have against her?”
She considered. “Are you sure you want to hear this?”
Jason nodded. “I do.”
She smiled. “All right, but remember, I warned you.” She sipped her iced tea and folded her hands onto the table in front of her. “Remember when we were on the Ferris wheel and you asked if I was single?”
“Yes.”
“And I said it was a long story for another time?”
Jason nodded.
“Well, the shorthand version is this: I’m single because I found out my fiancé was sleeping with her.”
Jason’s eyes went wide. “No.”
She nodded. “We were engaged for almost four months and the wedding was just a few weeks away.”
“When was this?”
“A little over a year ago.”
“But how did - I mean, how do you know?”
Hallie’s cheeks pinked. “I found pictures on his phone. Incriminating ones.” She gave him a wry smile. “Nothing you’d send out as Christmas cards, if you know what I mean.”
“You’re kidding.”
“Unfortunately, no. It was ugly - the whole thing, not just the pictures.” She laughed bitterly. “Those were pretty ugly too, though.”
“So … what happened?”
She shrugged. “I told him if he ever came within ten feet of me again, I’d introduce his dick to my nine millimeter. I cancelled the wedding, and he moved back to Cliffside, with his mother.”
Jason shook his head. “My God. Is there anyone in Shadow Springs that Savannah hasn’t ... you know ...”
“Gone to Pound Town with?” A smile broadened her lips. “Not that I know of.” She took another bite of salad. “Except you, of course.” Quickly, she glanced at him. “Unless …”
Alarmed, Jason said, “No! I mean … she came for a massage and … uh, she let me know I could.” He hesitated. “I won’t lie and say I wasn’t tempted … but I didn’t. I … wouldn’t.”
“You’re a smart man. And a rare one in this town.” She sipped tea. “And that’s what I meant about being the world’s biggest jerk. I certainly haven’t had anything nice to say about her, and God knows I’ve long wished she’d just leave town - but if something really did happen … I’d feel …” She shook her head. “I guess I’d feel guilty. I mean, I wouldn’t mourn her, but I certainly didn’t wish her any harm.”
“Of course not.” He paused. “I’m sorry to hear about your fiancé.”
“Don’t be. If it hadn’t been Savannah, it would have been someone else. And better I found out before the wedding.” She shrugged. “I’m past it.” She looked at him and smiled. “Are you still glad you asked?”
“I am.” He paused, considering. “Do you know anyone around here with a heart tattooed on his forearm?”
Hallie seemed confused by the question. “No. I don’t think so. Why?”
Jason told her the same story he’d told Dottie and Coop - that he’d seen it and was curious about the artist - and she, too, jumped to the conclusion he was looking to get inked. She, however - unlike Dottie and Coop - liked the idea of it.
“I think you should get one, handsome.”
His heart fluttered a little each time she called him that. “No way.”
“Oh, come on.” She grinned. “Not even a kitten or puppy? You could get one on each shoulder. I think it would be cute.”
&nbs
p; Jason laughed and shook his head, realizing she was playing with him.
“Well, you’re just no fun at all.”
“Why don’t you get one, then?”
Hallie frowned. “Absolutely not. I can’t stand the idea of looking at something every day for the rest of my life.”
“Are you sure?” Jason teased back. “Not even a puppy or a kitten?”
“Nope. But speaking of adorable animals … how does Amber like the blue bunny?”
Jason was impressed she remembered his daughter’s name. “She adores it. It’s her new best pal.”
“Aww. I’m glad to hear it. What did she name it?”
Jason smiled crookedly. “Reginald Breedlove.”
Hallie laughed loud enough the pool-players stared. “Reginald Who? What?”
“Reginald Breedlove.” Jason held his palms out. “I don’t know where she gets this stuff, but the point is, she likes him. So, thank you.”
Still laughing she said, “Your daughter sounds like quite a character, Jason.”
“Oh, she is. Believe me, she is.”
For the next fifteen minutes, they talked about Amber, then the house, and then books. This final topic was his favorite. They had similar tastes and decided to start their own two-person book club, beginning with Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca, which Jason hadn’t read and Hallie insisted he must. He promised to stop by the bookstore on his way home and pick up a copy - and after they were finished reading that, he’d get to choose the next one. There was a giddy, geeky excitement about the whole thing and even as they continued talking, Jason pondered what his first pick would be. So many books, so little time …
Hallie looked at her watch and frowned. “I’ve got to get back to work.”
Jason stood. “And I’ve got to get to the bookstore.”
“That’s right, you do.”
He had an irrational impulse to lean in and kiss her on the cheek. Maybe it was because she’d gotten his mind off heavy things and put it somewhere safe. Or maybe it’s just because she’s so damned beautiful. “This was a lot of fun, Hallie.”
“Agreed. I hope you’ll come by again. Of course, you have to now. We have books to talk about!”
They said goodbye and Jason left The Devil’s Triangle. As he walked to his car, the sun was shining, the air smelled fresh and clean, and his general sense of well-being had returned. He got into his car, and as he buckled his seat belt, his phone rang. The call came from an unknown number.
“Hello?”
There was a stretch of silence then a hesitant male voice. “Mr. Crandall?”
Jason didn’t recognize the caller. “This is he. How may I help you?”
There was another pause. “This is Scott Sturgess.”
Scott Sturgess? Savannah’s father? His mind raced. “Hello, Mr. Sturgess.” He considered what to say next - What do you say to a man whose daughter is missing? “I’ve been meaning to call. I’m … sorry to hear about Savannah.” He felt like a dolt. “I’m sure she’ll turn up.”
Scott Sturgess cleared his throat. “Thank you. I appreciate that. The reason I’m calling is … well, I wonder if we could stop by your house for a few minutes. There’s something I’d like to talk to you about.”
Now? What could this possibly concern? “I … sure. I’m on my way home now - it’ll be about ten minutes before I get there.”
“Perfect. We’ll see you then.”
Jason ended the call, wondering what this was about, and who Sturgess meant by “we.”
The moment Jason opened his front door, he recognized the man who stood with Scott Sturgess and Flynn Garvey. The thick black hair and Greek good looks were unmistakable, and Jason knew that beneath one sleeve, a red heart was tattooed on the inside of his forearm. It was the man he’d seen in the woods with Savannah. And he was a cop.
‘You like it when I fuck your mouth, don’t you?’ The memory crashed back and Jason saw the guy, head back, eyes closed, hands fisted in Savannah’s hair.
“Mr. Crandall,” said Scott Sturgess. “This is Sheriff Marshall Redding.”
The sheriff nodded and Jason realized he’d been staring.
“Do you mind if we come in?” asked Sturgess.
“Of course.” Jason stepped aside, allowing them entrance. “Please, take a seat.” He resented the quaver in his voice, but he couldn’t control it. He didn’t know what was going on, but clearly it was serious. And he couldn’t quit eyeballing the sheriff.
Flynn Garvey and Scott Sturgess sat on the sofa. Sheriff Redding remained on his feet, hands locked together in front of him.
Jason sat down. “What’s this about?”
Sturgess opened his mouth to speak, but was interrupted by the cop.
“We’ve just about reached the end of the road in our investigation, Mr. Crandall, and we wondered if there might be something you’ve seen or heard that could help us.”
Jason hesitated. “I’m afraid I don’t follow. What would I have … seen or heard?”
“We know you have a lot of people coming in and out,” said Redding. “And being that you’re new to town, we thought maybe they’d be inclined to talk to you. Maybe you’ve heard or seen something that could help us.”
Like witnessing you having oral sex with the missing girl? “I’m sorry, no. The clients I’ve had have only expressed concern and hope that she returns.”
Scott Sturgess sniffed. “Savannah … she came to see you, didn’t she?” He looked drawn and pale, thinner than he’d been when Jason had met him last week. His eyes were red from crying, lack of sleep, or both, and Jason could almost feel the man’s pain radiating off of him.
“Yes. She’s been here twice.” Jason thought of the half-hour his own daughter had been missing. The not-knowing had been torturous and he couldn’t imagine what Scott was going through. He wanted to help this man - but he didn’t know if he could.
“For a massage?” asked Redding.
“Yes. Well, once for a massage, and the other time with Flynn.”
“Tell us about the massage.”
“It was a one-hour appointment, but … it got cut short.” He hoped they didn’t ask why. “Something came up and I had to cancel the rest of the hour.”
“I see.” Redding shifted uncomfortably and cast a glance toward the men on the sofa. “And this, uh, massage … did it … did the two of you …”
Scott Sturgess sighed. “For fuck’s sake, just say it, Marshall.”
Alarmed, confused, Jason looked from one to the other.
“Were the two of you ... involved?” finished the cop.
Flynn Garvey flinched, tears springing to his eyes.
Involved? Jason cleared his throat. “If you’re asking me if I had sex with her, the answer is no.” It was clear that the father, the fiancé, and - obviously - the sheriff, were fully aware of Savannah’s reputation at this point. Nothing had come of his encounter with Savannah and Jason was glad. He saw no reason to mention that he’d almost slept with her. Almost didn’t count in this case, and he saw no reason to further tarnish the girl’s image. “She scheduled a massage and, as I said, something came up. I was only with her for perhaps fifteen minutes.”
Flynn was visibly relieved.
Scott Sturgess was stone-faced, clearly in a state of exhaustion.
The cop’s handsome face looked strained. Jason wondered if he’d admitted to his own relationship with Savannah. His gut said no. “Did she happen to say anything, or do anything, that made you think she might have been considering running away, or … hurting herself perhaps?”
Scott Sturgess stared down at his feet.
“No. I don’t think so.” Jason thought back. “We talked about my services and rates and then … that’s all. There generally isn’t much talking during a massage, Sheriff.” He paused. “She seemed fine. Happy, even.”
For a moment, he and the sheriff watched each other, then Redding nodded. “If you think of anything else, we’d like you to let us know.”
“Of course. I’m sorry I can’t be of more help.”
The sheriff shrugged. “Even if you hear something. You know, maybe that she had any enemies, or that she was seeing someone, or …” There was something about the sheriff Jason didn’t like - it was probably his over-confidence.
“Of course.” Jason glanced at Flynn. The ever-present grin was nowhere to be seen. “Is there anything else I can do for you?”
The cop looked at Scott and Flynn, then shook his head. “That’s it for now, I suppose. Thank you, Mr. Crandall.” He held out his hand.
Jason stood and shook it, involuntarily recalling the scene in the woods in embarrassing detail. ‘You like it when I fuck your mouth, don’t you?’ He looked at his watch. It was nearly three. “I’m afraid you gentlemen will have to excuse me. I’ve got to pick up my kids from school.”
Scott and Flynn stood. Flynn seemed unsteady, and Jason worried he might collapse. He didn’t, but it was obvious he hadn’t been sleeping or eating. Jason offered each of the men a handshake. Flynn Garvey and Scott Sturgess both looked so empty and helpless that Jason felt like an asshole for having said he was tired of hearing about Savannah’s disappearance. He wished there was something he could say that might help, but all he could manage was, “If you need anything …”
He didn’t know how to finish the sentence.
Jason picked the kids up from school and hadn’t been home more than five minutes before Dottie Blanchard came to the door.
“Hi, Dottie.”
Dottie peered around him into the house. “Is everything okay?”
“Of course.”
“I saw the police here and …” She waited expectantly.
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