“So, where’ve you been for the last few days, then? We’ve been looking for you.”
“The siren call ofWanderlust.” He takes a sip of beer, makes a face, then pushes it away.
“That’s your boat, right?”
He nods. He’s not looking at me. He’s looking at the table instead.
I take a deep breath. “Jack, why do you think you talked too much at your party?”
“I shouldn’t be trusting anyone.” His eyes still don’t meet mine.
There is something so sad, so broken about Jack today. I remember what Jay said—that Jack has his own demons.
But then I remember that he may be responsible for Jay’s death. He may not deserve my sympathy. I’m only here to get answers.
“You did trust me,” I say. “I mean, I was drunk and stoned that night, too, but the one thing I do remember is you saying ‘Wanderlust shouldn’t kill anyone.’ I thought you meant Jay had wanderlust, like he wanted to travel or something, but now I know you meant your boat. I also know that once last year you took Jay and a bunch of others on a midnight cruise on theWanderlust.” I pause, leaning forward, trying to put a trusting look on my face. “Jack, did you take Jay on another cruise in the fall? The night he went missing?”
Jack doesn’t say anything. Instead, he picks up his beer and takes a long sip. So much for not finishing it.
Finally, he looks at me. “Are you going to turn me in to the police?” he asks.
“I want to know what happened first.”
“You have such a trusting face ... You should do this for a living.” He exhales. “The truth might be a bit blurry.”
“You were high, weren’t you? The night Jay disappeared.”
He shakes his head. “Not intentionally. I don’t drink and sail. Or do anything at all and sail. But for some reason, it’s still blurry.”
“So youwereon something.”
He shrugs. “I practically grew up on boats ... I may be a reckless dick in every other part of my life, but I take water safety seriously. When they called asking if we could have a little boat tour that night, I told them no. My boat couldn’t leave the club because I was too wasted. But I said they were welcome to comehang outon the boat—we just wouldn’t be sailing. I switched to Gatorade anyway just in case because safety first. But ... something happened that night. Things got weird.Foggy. I blacked out on the boat. I don’t remember much until the screams woke me up.”
Screams? My fist clenches. “You were at the marina?”
“No. On the lake. Open water.”
“Who called you? Who was on the boat with you?”
He exhales. “Lance called me. It was Lance and Jay.”
I exhale.Lance.Mia’s boyfriend. Fuck.
“Why did you pass out? What did you take?”
He shakes his head. “I told you I didn’t take anything. I think someone spiked my Gatorade.”
I narrow my eyes. “That’s awfully convenient. Did youseeeither of them tamper with your drink?”
He shakes his head. “I can’t tell you how it happened. I just remember feeling ... strange. Not drunk, but really gone.”
I’m not sure I should believe Jack. “When did Lance call you? What did he say?”
“I don’t know. Maybe around six that night? Lance said he and Jay were looking for something to do, and would I be interested in taking them for a little boat ride? His dad has a boat at the club, too, but Lance’s dad’s an asshole.”
I’m still having trouble wrapping my head around Lance being there. “Did you actuallyseeJay get on the boat? How did he look? Was anyone else with them?” There is no way Jay would have willingly climbed into that boat. Maybe he was drugged too?
“I ... only remember them.” He looks up with a distant look in his eyes. “I remember Jay’s coat and Lance’s douchey backward hat. It’s there, but foggy.”
