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“Yeah. Look.”
“I am,” Ari said. “I don’t see him.”
Lia grabbed Ariana’s arm. “Let’s go talk to him.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“What’s he going to do with so many people around?” Lia asked. “This is our best chance to say what’s on our minds.”
“Like you said, the vigil is about to start. We need to focus on inspiring people to search for Rita.”
Lia frowned. “I suppose you’re right.”
“Of course I am.”
“I’m going to keep my eye on him.”
“So am I.”
Damon and Charles came over to them.
“We should get this started,” Charles said. “Before it gets too dark.”
“I agree,” Lia said, still glancing Boone’s way. “Do you have the bullhorn?”
“Right here.” He handed it to her.
Lia marched to the platform usually used by bands and performers. It squealed as she turned it on, capturing everyone’s attention.
Damon put his arm around Ari’s shoulders. “You think Boone will show up?”
“He’s here.”
“Where?”
“On the outskirts, near the soccer field.”
Damon glanced in the direction. “You’d think he’d at least want to participate. If for no other reason than for appearances.”
“He doesn’t care what anyone thinks.”
“Everyone is pointing fingers at him,” Damon said. “If I were him, I’d want to clear my name.”
“If you were him, you’d be concerned about what happened to Rita.”
The bullhorn squealed again, and Lia thanked everyone for coming to the vigil. She and Charles both shared about how much Rita meant to the community, both through her bar and grill and also in the neighborhood. Then Damon and Ari joined them, sharing similar sentiments. A few others who’d asked to share came up after them, some from her restaurant and others from the neighborhood. Then others came to the stage wanting to say something too.
Her own husband remained at the edge as though a casual observer.
Anger ran through Ariana. Why did he bother showing up? Because criminals liked to come back? But this wasn’t even the same park Rita had lost her shoe in. It was too far away for her to have run to, whether in heels or sneakers. Did Boone just want to see how many people actually cared?
Was it possible that some small part of him did care?
She wanted to believe that, for the sake of her friend. Rita deserved better, a husband who stood up for her, fought for her. Not one who snuck off to see some random chick the morning after she went missing.
It was infuriating.
Ariana pulled her attention from Boone and focused on what the girl speaking said. She was a server at the bar and grill, who played nervously with her hair a lot.
