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“So she’s not home. She’s probably at work.”
“No, she’s not. She took a leave of absence.”
“Really? Why?”
“I don’t know all the details.”
I did, but I didn’t feel at liberty to divulge Melanie’s business. I hated lying to Bryce. I’d gotten pretty damned good at it, though. Here I was, having already convicted his father in my mind, and I hadn’t told my best friend about my suspicions. I needed some more concrete proof before I could act.
“I wouldn’t worry about it,” Bryce said. “She’s probably out shopping or something.”
Melanie didn’t strike me as much of a shopper. She could get beige cotton panties anywhere. And though her clothes were nice, they were deliberate and professional. Sexy as hell on her, but not anything she couldn’t get from an online catalog.
Of course, the woman did have to eat. She could be somewhere as simple as the grocery store.
“You’re probably right.”
Too bad I didn’t believe myself for a minute. Maybe she truly didn’t want to talk to me. If that was the case, I would make peace with it. Not like I had any other choice.
“So what did you think about today?” Bryce asked.
“What do you mean?”
“About our visit with Larry.”
Of course. My mind was so full of worry for Melanie. I had all but forgotten about the visit with my uncle. “I’m not sure we got anything new.”
“You still think I know one of the attackers?”
I wished I hadn’t voiced this theory to Bryce after our first visit to Larry, but that had been before I found out about his father’s potential involvement.
“I don’t know, man. I’m not sure I know shit about anything right now.”
“You could be right, though. His words did seem to indicate that. I just don’t know who the hell it could possibly be. I don’t know anyone like that.”
I opened my mouth, not having a clue what was going to come out, when my cell phone buzzed. Saved by the bell, literally. I looked at my phone. “You mind if I take this? It’s Marjorie.”
“Go ahead.”
I put the phone to my ear. “Hey, Marj.”
“Joe, you have to come home.” Her voice was high-pitched and shrill. Something wasn’t right. “I have to talk to you now.”
“What’s going on? Are you all right?”
“I’m fine. I think.” Now her voice shook. “I saw something today.”
“What did you see?”
“I don’t want to talk about it over the phone.”
“Can’t you talk to Talon and Ryan?”
“Ryan’s too busy to get away, with all the winemaking. I can’t ask him. And Talon… No, I can’t talk to Talon. Not now. Not…yet.”
“Where’s Jade?”
“She’s at work.”
