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He sighs. “Nope. Well…” The hesitation scares me. “I’m hearing whispers the DA is determined to move forward with charges. If nothing else, I don’t think politics are going to let him sit this one out.”
I tilt my face to the sun. It’s what I expected, but still. No news is bad news sometimes.
“Sorry, man, I am trying.”
I squeeze the back of my neck. “I know. Thanks.”
A beat of quiet. “Don’t give up, okay? It ain’t over ’til it’s over. Remember that.”
I nod. “Got it.”
“Beach treating you alright?”
“Sure thing. I guess I can see why you people like it so much.”
“I’m glad. Hope you’re getting some R & R.”
Not as much as I had hoped, but I can’t share any of that with Tripp. “Sure thing. Can’t thank you enough, man.”
Another weighted pause.
“What’s the matter? Are you not telling me something?”
“Nope…just thought I’d let you know that I found Annalise yesterday. She’s okay, FYI.” His voice holds an odd overtone.
For a moment, my heart trips over itself.He knows.My life all but flashes before my eyes—but wait. He’s not here, in my face, so he must not know.
And then, the dots connect: I never called him back. Never called to say Annalise wasn’t at home. Never called tocheckif he—my best friend—found his sister. He didn’t know I knew. My oversight has made me appear the worst kind of friend. I’m not though, at least not in the way he must be thinking.
“Oh, uh, yeah. That’s great, man. I knew you’d find her. Figured you had when I didn’t hear back, you know.” No, I’m sure he doesn’t know. I sure as shooting would second guess the friendship of someone who didn’t follow up. Quite the rookie mistake for a guy skilled at making his living by subterfuge. This is the sort of flub that gets a guy killed in my professional world.
I hate the awkwardness as the call wraps up. I hate the lies. They come easily on the job, but these off-duty untruths are killing my stomach.
It’s time for me to go. Every minute I stay is a betrayal. It’s either get out or come clean. I’d gamble on the latter, but I can’t make that kind of decision for Annalise. I’m thinking privacy is important to her just now.
That or I’m just chicken. It’s a real possibility.
I shower and put on fresh clothes, jeans with a long-sleeved white oxford, and then pack up my duffel.
Twice during the afternoon I have tried to see Annalise, her hurt and humiliation speaking to me, but she never answered the door, my butt as solidly booted as Kyle’s. Puts me in my place alright.
I don’t know if this copious amount of drama is typical for her or an anomaly I accidentally became privy to, but I do know I have a responsibility to see she’s on sound footing before I leave town.
You know, she’s my best friend’s kid sister and all.
Setting my bag by the door, I step into the balmy evening air. The placid pool begs for a taker, the ocean calls from the distance, and the tropical flora surrounding the patio and cabana beckon to take a load off. I wish, but that part of my trip is over. I have no clue where I’m going, but I am unwilling to sacrifice my closest friendship on an altar of lies.
The sun has dipped below the horizon, and I approach the house standing in darkness. At the side door, I see a glow from the light above the stove. The tumbled fruit I gathered earlier is on the stoop, precisely where I placed it.
I’ve got to be the last person she wants to see, but this is important. I ring the bell.
Nothing.
I repeat once and then knock.
Still nothing.
Disquiet gnaws at my gut. Checking the driveway, I see her Jeep right where she left it after the grocery run—but I’m the one who closed it up.
