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I adjusted the phone on my shoulder as I turned off the faucet with one hand and quickly dried my hands. A moment later, I gripped the phone in my hand again. “He said something came up with work. He didn't say what.”
“And you didn't ask?” Thea pressed.
“No,” I muttered, feeling a little foolish. “Do you know something about what's going on?”
I hated that I was quizzing his sister for answers and, even more so, that I’d felt like I couldn’t ask Ian.
“No, he's always been a workaholic, but that's kind of weird for him to cancel like that without explaining. You two have been visiting every weekend, right?”
“Yeah,” I said quickly.
“Well, I think you should ask him when he calls. His job is his job, but you're more important,” Thea offered pointedly.
“Okay, okay. I will. Sometimes it's hard to focus on work when you're trying to do other things,” I offered.
I was trying really hard to be understanding and make sense of it, but the whole thing felt weird, and I didn't know why. It made me feel like something else was going on with him, and he just wasn't telling me. Maybe it had something to do with me. I didn't say any of that to Thea. She was his sister, and I wasn't going to get into that with her.
“If you find out what's up, tell me. I'm also going to call him and do a little reconnaissance for you. I'll fill you in.”
“Thea,” I warned. “Don't you dare. That's ridiculous.”
“Why is it ridiculous?” she countered. “He's my brother, so I can be as nosy as I want.”
“But I don't want him to think I'm asking you to do that.”
My friend let out a sharp, dry laugh. “He would never think that. I'm nosy anyway,” she said flatly.
I laughed because that was entirely true. “I'll talk to you soon.”
“Don't make it more than it is,” she added.
“Okay. I won't,” I said, rolling my eyes even though she couldn’t see me.
After I got off the phone, I settled into grading more papers.
Audrey called to check in with me as well. Even when she invited me to meet her for lunch, I demurred. Not because I didn't want to see her, but she was married to Ian's brother. It felt like a little merry-go-round of too many people connected and me feeling foolish about all of it. I told myself it was nothing. I told myself I would be fine. I was. Until I got a phone call from a reporter.
ChapterTwenty-Five
Ian
“They called my girlfriend,” I said flatly, trying not to let my anger ramp up.
The prosecutor shrugged. “I did not give them your girlfriend's name, or phone number, or contact information. I don't even have it to give. The reality is once people start nosing around, they start making phone calls. One of the guys is willing to make a plea deal, and they must have talked to somebody. We can’t keep a lid on what others say or do.”
“Fuck,” I muttered, leaning back in the chair and drumming my fingertips on the table.
“I'm sorry,” the prosecutor said. “It's blown wide open.”
“Am I allowed to talk to her about it now?” I asked. I didn't even bother to keep the sarcasm out of my tone.
He nodded. “You are.”
“Do you need me this afternoon for anything?”
“Don’t think so. We'll keep you posted on any developments.”
“Got it.” I stood quickly and left the office.
