by Wendy Tyson
Kai shifted in his seat. “Yeah, I guess. When you put it that way.”
Mia stood. “Kai, where did Tammy like to hang out? Mall? Clubs?”
“None of those places. She was either singing—choir, studio, at home—or hanging out with me.”
“Where?”
He shrugged. “Wherever. We liked to mountain bike on Snow Mountain. Sometimes we’d hike.”
“Did you come here?” Allison asked.
Kai snorted. “Would you take a girl here?”
He had a point. “Any other friends?”
“My friends were her friends. Sometimes she hung out with her neighbor, Kellie with an ‘ie.’ She’ll tell you that when you meet her. ‘I’m Kellie with an ie.’”
It was clear he didn’t think much of Kellie with an “ie.” “Where does Kellie live?”
“A few blocks from Tammy. Green house, orange shutters. Hard to miss.” He yawned. “Done with me? I gotta go back to bed. Working tonight.”
“Where do you work?”
“Pizza delivery. A few other odd jobs.” His eyes fluttered, blinked twice. “Saving money to go back to school.”
Allison stood carefully, taking pains not to touch any of the soiled laundry. “We appreciate your time, Kai. Good luck with work and school.” Allison pulled another business card from her purse. “If you hear anything at all about Tammy, call me.”
“Yeah, sure. Whatever.”
Back downstairs, Allison exhaled in relief. She wanted to be outside, away from that cramped apartment and the smells and bullshit of the Berger boys. She took one more look through the glass door that led to the small bar and saw Scott Berger’s leering face through the window. She nodded, and he gave her a smile that sent a chill down her spine.
“What do you think?” Mia said back out in the humid summer air.
“The boy’s lying. They both are.”
Fifteen
Jamie was still asleep when Vaughn snuck out of the apartment that morning. Angela was scheduled to be there until eight and then Mrs. T would relieve her, so he knew that his brother would be okay. He scribbled a note for both women. While Jamie hadn’t said anything directly, Vaughn could tell that these disappearances were weighing on him, making him worry, and that only increased Vaughn’s anxiety. Like he’d told Allison, he needed to do something. He’d texted Allison and told her he’d be late for work. She wouldn’t care. She was the one always urging him to work less and play more.
He started with the boxing gym. A ninety-minute-long workout and a cleansing hot shower helped him clear his mind, get some perspective. Then he headed toward the office so he could clear out the pile of crap he’d been trying to get finished for the last few days. Work and discipline were called for now—and while his mind was occupied with other things, maybe he would remember something that would help, something that would trigger a lead.
Vaughn turned the BMW onto Route 30, which led to Villanova. Traffic had picked up and the roads were congested.
He slowed to a stop by a traffic light near a Starbucks and toyed with whether or not to stop for coffee. He generally avoided alcohol and caffeine, but today felt like it warranted an exception. When the light turned, he figured what the hell and made a quick right into the parking lot. Iced coffee. That’s what he wanted.
He pulled next to an old Acura Integra, grabbed his wallet and mobile from the center console and opened the door to the BMW. His wallet fell to the ground. Damn, he muttered under his breath, and reached down to pick it up. It was then that he noticed the white Accord making a u-turn at the traffic light. The car pulled into the parking lot at the hair salon next door and sat idle, facing the Starbucks but barely visible from this angle. Vaughn wouldn’t have thought much of it—guy waiting for his girl or something—but when he glanced back at the car on his way into the coffee shop, he could have sworn he saw someone inside watching him. The back of Vaughn’s neck prickled.
You’re a crazy bastard, he said to himself, and shoved open the door.
Tammy’s neighborhood was quiet this time of day. Allison parked at the end of the street, a block and a half away from the Edwards’ property, and killed the engine. Kai was right: the house was hard to miss. Kellie’s home was a standalone in a neighborhood of twins. A coat of fresh orange paint graced the door, a shade or two off from the peeling orange shutters. A red, white, and blue wreath hung from a nail in the wood. The house itself was a seashore mint green. The forced cheerfulness of the exterior contrasted with a rusty Ford pick-up truck that sat flat-tired in the driveway.
“Holy kaleidoscope, Batman.”
Mia laughed. “Why don’t you go alone? It might be less threatening that way.”
“You’ll be okay?”
“I want to check on Vaughn anyway.”
“I got a text from him earlier. He was going to the gym before work and then going into the office late.”
Mia looked troubled. “Does he know you’re in Scranton?”
Allison felt a stab of guilt. “I left him a note at the office. I was afraid if I told him ahead of time, he’d insist on coming. That didn’t seem like a great idea.”
Mia didn’t say anything. She pulled her phone out of her leather purse. “I’ll wait here.”
Allison climbed out of her car and walked up the steps to the porch. She knocked once. Someone pulled open the door with gusto, and then looked disappointed to see Allison standing there.
“Oh,” said the girl in front of Allison. “I thought you were someone else.”
Clearly, Allison thought. “I’m Allison Campbell. I was hoping to talk to Kellie. Is she home?”
“That’s me.”
The girl didn’t budge from the doorframe. She was average height and maybe fifty pounds overweight. Her ample frame had been poured into skin-toned spandex pants and a clingy print blouse cut low enough to expose a deep valley of cleavage. Her hair was dyed a shade of red that did not exist in nature. Her makeup looked professional: smoky brown shadow and mascara that opened up almond-shaped green eyes. She had beautiful eyes.
“Do you have a few minutes to talk about Tammy?” Allison asked.
She squinted. “Tammy?”
“Tammy Edwards? Your friend?”
“What about her?”
“Can I come in, Kellie?”
Kellie glanced back over her shoulder. She shook her head. “My mom’s sleeping. It’d be better if we talk outside.”
The girl walked out onto the porch and closed the door behind her. She stood with her back against the siding, one pedicured foot against the house. “Tammy’s missing.”
“I know. That’s why I’m here. Do you have any idea where she might have gone?”
“What’s it to you?”
Allison explained her role. “Have the police met with you?”
“No one has met with me. Tammy’s mom called, but that was it.”
“How well do you know Tammy?”
“Pretty well. We’ve been neighbors since elementary school. She’s quiet, but we hang out sometimes.”
“Does she have a wide social circle?”
Kellie looked down at her feet. “Neither of us has many friends. I guess that’s why we hooked up.” She looked up, shyly. “Misfits, you know. Safety in numbers and all that crap.”
Which aligned with what Kai Berger had said. “How about Kai? Do you know him well?”
Kellie made a face. “Kind of. What of it?”
“Do you think Tammy might be with Kai, Kellie?”
“Who the hell knows? Kai and I don’t really hang out.”
“Not at all?” Allison asked the question with kindness in her voice. It was clear from Kellie’s body language that she disliked Kai. Maybe because he bullied her. Maybe because he symbolized something she felt she couldn’t have: a love interest. Either way, Al
lison wanted to know more about Tammy’s circle of friends. And she had very few avenues from which to glean that knowledge.
“He thinks he’s cool. All intellectual and shit. Doesn’t want to be seen with someone who goes to cosmetology school.” Kellie scowled. “Even though he can’t hold a steady job or manage to stay in school. Doesn’t seem all that intellectual to me. But Tammy really likes him. Yin and yang, maybe. Who knows.”
Allison smiled. She’d taken a liking to Kellie. The girl seemed honest and a little lost. If Allison had to guess, home life wasn’t too easy on Kellie. Sleeping mom probably translated to sleeping-one-off mom. And if there was a paying job in the household, that broken-down Ford truck said it was a thing of the past.
“And anyway, cosmetology school’s not that easy.”
“Did you apply your own makeup?” Allison asked on impulse.
“I did.” The hint of a smile gave life to a pair of sweet dimples.
“Nicely done.” Allison dug a card out of her purse. “Maybe you can come work for me when you’re done with school.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
The front door opened and a disheveled woman in a velour sweat suit stumbled out onto the porch. “Kel-lie?”
“Mom, go back inside.”
“Who’s that?”
“Go back inside. Please.”
The woman, hair a helmet of platinum blonde spikes, shot an unfocused look Allison’s way. “Kellie in some kind of trouble?” Her words slurred together in one intoxicated mélange.
“No. I’m just here to ask about Tammy Edwards.”
“Oh.” And like that, she slammed the door.
Kellie resumed her interest in her own feet. “Sorry,” she mumbled. “My mom’s not well.”
Allison leaned down to catch Kellie’s eye. “Nothing for you to apologize about. Now keep that card. Let me know if you hear from Tammy. And don’t forget to look me up when you’ve finished school.”
Kellie gave her a sideways smile, one that made Allison feel the ache of her own lonely childhood. “I promise. On both counts.”
From the car, Allison caught a glimpse of Tammy’s mom, Jane Edwards, sitting on her front porch, baby in her arms. Allison climbed back out of the Volvo and with a quick explanation to a pensive Mia, headed toward the Edwards’ residence. She approached cautiously, wary of the reception she would receive. It took a moment before Jane noticed her. When she did, alarm distorted her plain features into a mask of wary anger.
Allison held up a hand. “I was in town and thought I would check in.”
Jane Edwards pulled the baby closer to her chest. “Check in for what?”
“To see whether you have any news? And to find out if I can help in any way.”
“You’ve done enough.”
Jane tugged at the waist of her navy blue skirt. She wore another frilly blouse, the off-white collar tied at the throat with a bow. In contrast, the baby was wearing a bright floral dress with ruffled panties and matching pink socks. At the sight of Allison, the little girl stuck her fist in her mouth and sucked contentedly, drool dripping down a chubby chin.
“Have the police been in contact, Mrs. Edwards?”
“Why would they?”
“Tammy’s missing. I’d think they’d want to search for her.”
“I called the local hospitals and morgues. No sign of her. I don’t think this is police business.”
Jane spoke without affectation. Allison watched her face closely. Was she lying, still in shock—or did she really feel that little emotion?
“I could contact local government officials for you, unless you’ve already done that.”
“Please stay out of it, Ms. Campbell.” Jane’s voice was high-pitched, her words coming quickly. “Tammy’s run away. The more I think about it, the more certain I am. No need for the police.”
“Just in case, wouldn’t it be a good idea to search for her? Have the police search?”
“I’m a woman of faith. And no one knows Tammy better than I do. My daughter is rebelling. She’ll turn up eventually. It’s all this nonsense about music and Hollywood. I told my husband that she needs school, marriage, but in the end, he makes the decisions.” Jane stood. The baby reached for her hair with one spit-soaked hand and she pushed the girl’s fist away with a harsh, “Stop that, Isabelle.”
“I need to get Isabelle down for her nap. Please stop worrying about my daughter. She’ll come to her senses eventually, and when she does, we will see to it that she receives the appropriate consequences.”
Allison watched Tammy’s mother go back inside, little Isabelle gurgling happy baby talk over her shoulder. As her mother pushed through the door, the baby opened and closed one chubby fist in Allison’s direction, waving good-bye.
Back in the car, Allison found Mia sitting in the passenger seat with her head against the glass. She wore a dazed expression. Allison felt her stomach twist into ropes. Something bad had happened.
“What is it?” Allison asked.
Mia continued to stare straight ahead. “Vaughn called. He’s been taken in for formal questioning. In the disappearance of Francesca Benini.” She blinked, and Allison saw tears pooling under her eyes.
“Oh no.”
“It gets worse.”
“How could it get worse?”
“Paolo Benini. Someone at the hospital identified a young black man who visited Paolo with his wife just hours before.” Mia shook her head. “They know it was you and Vaughn.”
Sixteen
They didn’t wait for a call. Allison was on the horn with Detective Butch Razinski before she’d pulled away from the curb. He wouldn’t tell her anything, but she had to believe that the police had little against Vaughn other than circumstantial evidence—he’d been in the wrong place at the wrong time. Three times over.
Allison’s second call was to Jason.
After explaining where she was, she waited for his rants against her amateur sleuth antics. Instead he surprised her by saying, “I’m coming up there, Allison.”
“You don’t need to, Jason. Although I appreciate the offer. We just need the name of a good defense attorney. Just in case.”
“Look, I’ll talk to the detective. See what’s going on. Then we can decide whether Vaughn needs a defense attorney.”
Allison had to admit Jason made sense. “If you’re sure.” She gave him directions. “How soon can you be there?”
“Give me three hours. And in the meantime Allison, please don’t say anything. Wait for me.”
While they waited for Jason, Allison called Alex Benini, determined to cancel their dinner appointment.
“I’m afraid something’s come up.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” And he did sound sorry. “It’s become even more imperative that I talk to you.”
“I really can’t. I couldn’t commit to a time.”
“Look,” he said, “I’m already down here. I drove down this morning. Just call me when you’re free and I’ll meet you.”
She felt her resolve wavering. What could be so urgent he would leave his family now? Surely there were funeral preparations, family matters to attend to. The business. And the search for Francesca.
With a sigh, Allison said, “It will have to be late. But if you can live with the uncertainty, I will call you when I’m done.”
“Thank you. Truly. We’ll talk tonight, Allison. Until then, stay safe.”
Allison tried to decipher if his words were a wish—or a warning.
Allison and Mia sat in the parking lot at the police station until Jason arrived. He strode purposefully over to her car, looking all-business in a summer-weight charcoal suit and crimson tie. He leaned down to give Allison a kiss, then noticed his mother climbing out of the Volvo.
“Really, Mom? Not you, too.�
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Mia frowned, waving away his concern. “Just do your job, Jason. And bring Vaughn home.”
Jason and Vaughn were with Detective Razinski for almost an hour. Afterwards, they entered the lobby of the police station alone, their expressions unreadable.
Allison’s mind flitted to twenty different scenarios. They were arresting Vaughn. They wanted to question her, too. Francesca had been murdered. Based on the blank looks on their faces, any of these could be true. Or everything could be fine.
“Ready?” Jason said.
The two women stood. Mia reached out and took Vaughn’s hand. He held it for a moment before letting go. Mia shot a worried shrug in Allison’s direction and Allison shrugged back. Damned if she knew what was going on.
In the parking lot, Jason said, “We need to regroup. I know you have a lot of questions, but let’s meet back in Villanova. It would be better to talk there.” He looked at Vaughn. “Why don’t you ride with me? We can discuss what just happened while it’s fresh.” To Allison, Jason said, “Meet you at home?”
She nodded, at a loss for words.
See you at home. Allison mulled over those words the entire drive back to Villanova. Jason had said it without thinking. The house had been their home, once upon a time. Could they wash away the years since the divorce, start fresh, build a new life together? Was either of them capable of the kind of compromise a healthy marriage required?
Allison wasn’t so sure. She was pretty damn sure that Jason wanted safe, predictable, and normal. Although Allison spent her days teaching social norms, her life—at least lately—had been anything but. Could he live with that?
Maybe she was underestimating him.
And herself.
Mia was lost in a world of worry and said barely three sentences the entire drive.
They pulled up to Allison’s house before Jason and Vaughn got there. Inside, Allison clipped a happy Brutus to a leash and took the dog for a brisk walk while Mia made tea.
In times of crisis, Mia always made tea.
