What She Found, page 10
And why was she asking him how the car got there? Was it for his best guess, or does she think he might know, somehow?
As I back out of the driveway; their bedroom light goes out, and we’re all left in the dark.
Chapter Twelve
I should go grocery shopping, but I decide to order in and finally clean up my apartment. I want it to be in better shape when Derek brings some of my furniture over after we drop the rest at the rental unit. I make my bed for the first time since I moved in, and my phone rings.
Liz. She still hasn’t apologized, so maybe this is it.
“Hello.” I press the cell phone to my ear.
If she doesn’t apologize, I don’t want to talk to her right now.
“Hi, it’s me,” she says and sniffles.
Is she crying? “Liz, are you okay?”
She clears her throat, and then the line is silent between us. Does she feel that bad about what she suggested about me?
“I don’t know anymore.”
“What is it?”
“Arland’s been pulling his late shifts, as usual, but when he’s home, he’s barely around Ryan anymore. He has dinner, goes to his study, and then Ryan’s in bed when he finally comes back out for a lounge on our deck or to watch TV. He’s gone early in the morning to golf. We never see him. It’s been this way for a long time, and actually, it’s gotten worse this year. It’s like the worse Ryan gets, the more Arland’s away, and I’m not just imagining the connection here.”
“No, I’m sure you’re not.”
“I thought they bonded, but now, I’m not sure if it’s about them, because Arland and I have lost our connection too.”
I sit on the freshly made bed. “Liz, you’re a great mom. I know when Arland’s around, he’s a great dad, too. Have you tried talking to him?”
“When? There’s no time. I barely see him, and whenever I get into anything, he tells me it’s not a good time. For a while there, I tried to respect that, and in fact, I doted on him. I made excuses for him. I made our time together wonderful and without burden for him, but I’m tired of feeling like Ryan and I are a burden, or afterthought. I can’t do it anymore. I’ve sacrificed so much for our family, and I’d rather live in a shack with us together, happy, than apart like this for the luxuries we have.”
“You’re like me, Liz. We don’t do well with confrontation. I think you need to find another way to communicate with him and get your feelings across. Tell him what you’d like. What you and Ryan need. Maybe write a letter?”
She clears her throat again. “I could do that.”
“You’re a wonderful writer. You should make a cookbook out of your blogs. All those wonderful stories about growing up, and your family, and why the food has such meaning for you. Your written communication is a strength. Use it to your advantage.”
“You’re right.”
“I know.”
“I’m desperate, Tabbie,” she whispers. “Ryan’s getting worse. He keyed Arland’s Escalade after he got home from the zoo yesterday. Odilia left him alone outside for two minutes. That’s all it took. Arland had a fit when he got home, and as usual, when he confronted Ryan, he lied and said he didn’t do it. He’s not afraid of Arland, so I don’t know why he lies…”
“Maybe he’s ashamed after the fact, once he’s calmed down? Maybe he’s looking for attention, even if it’s negative?”
“Maybe. All I know is we need to get a hold on things. We need to come together as a family to support him. I need support.”
“I know, and you deserve to have it. Write that letter, okay?”
“Yeah, thanks, Tabbie.”
I stand up and grab the duster. “No problem. Hey, has anything else come from the car or the investigation that you’ve heard?”
“No, but Cassy told me she and Matt were at the station giving written statements last night. You babysat the twins. How did that go?”
“Went well.” Is she judging me for sitting for them and not Ryan? I need to change the topic. “Oh, last night while I was there, someone called the house, and it was strange. They didn’t speak at first, and then a voice asked, ‘Where is she?’”
“Where’s who? Cassy?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Then who?”
“They didn’t answer when I asked, and they wouldn’t say who it was.”
“Maybe someone was thrown off that Cassy didn’t answer.”
“They said my name.”
“Really? That’s strange. Did anyone know you were over there?”
“I didn’t tell anyone, but I still have to tell Cassy about it. Have you gotten any calls like that?”
“No. Nothing.”
I lay back in the bed. “I think they meant where is Karina.”
“That’s…a little far-fetched. No one even knows about our involvement with her, besides the police, and none of us would have called you like that.”
“No, I know.” I know I shouldn’t have mentioned it. Maybe it is a stretch.
“Okay, well, I’m going to write that letter. Now that you’ve suggested it, I can’t wait to get everything off my chest. I’ll leave it on his pillow. Or no, maybe in his study. And…”
The silence stretches. “Yeah?”
“What do I do if… if he reads it and nothing changes?”
“You’re strong, and you know your worth and what you need. If you settle for less, and it hurts Ryan, you’ll regret it.”
“I will. I hope it doesn’t come to that. It would break me.”
Maybe it would, for a little while, but she can handle anything that comes her way. “I know leaving someone you love hurts, but you’d be out of the toxic environment.” Maybe I haven’t acknowledged the benefits of that as much as I should. I should be grateful we’re not fighting anymore. “One step at a time. Write that letter.”
“Thanks again. Talk soon.”
She hangs up, and I know if I don’t get back out of bed now, I never will. I set the phone down to dust the baseboards of my bedroom. I guess I shouldn’t expect an apology from her, but she doesn’t seem to really believe what she said anyway, or she’s got her own troubles to concentrate on. Keying Arland’s car is a new low for Ryan, but at least he’s not throwing things at people like he did at me and Odilia that day a few months ago.
After cleaning the rest of my room, I move on to the bathroom, and my phone rings in my pocket. As I reach for it, I remember the creepy voice that whispered to me at Matt and Cassy’s.
Unknown Caller.
I shove it back in my pocket. They can leave a message.
As I spray the mirror in the bathroom, the phone stops ringing, but no voicemail notification follows as I wipe the mirror clean. The smell of bleach and lemon fills the small space. As I wipe the counter, the phone rings again.
Unknown Caller.
What if it’s him? Whoever called last night? Maybe I’ll recognize the voice this time… but that voice. I don’t want to hear it again. I don’t want to be asked that question again. It stops ringing, and I shove it in my pocket before I finish cleaning the rest of the apartment. I even open my blinds up in time for the sun to set and stretch out on my bean bag with my laptop and a piece of pizza in my hand.
I open Facebook and type “Karina” into the search. I scroll through all the names and tiny profile pictures beside them until a woman with dark hair and perfect lips runs up the screen beside the name Karina Hastings. Her profile picture was taken outside somewhere with green grass on a beautiful day, her hair dyed darker than when I saw her, and she’s smiling like she never did with us either. A big, full, brilliant white-toothed smile.
I scroll down her page, and she’s shared a few more pictures of herself. Forty-seven people wished her a happy birthday in March. I scan them all, reading their messages, and try to decipher who seems close to her, particularly men.
They’re mostly men wishing her a happy birthday, but no special messages from them. The most personal one comes from a woman who could be her mother, or her mother’s age, but there’s no resemblance between them.
Happy Birthday, sweetie pie. You always brighten up my day and I hope your day is bright as the sun, just like your smile, and just like that mind of yours. You’ll do great things, which means you’ll be leaving me someday, but I know the best is yet to come for you, my sweet. Thank you for your friendship and always being there.
Leaving her someday. Maybe it is her mom. Do they live together? Another family member? Maybe they work together.
She’s the only one whom Karina seems close with, so I click on the woman’s name, Joyce Smith, and I’m taken to her relatively private page. I scroll down and see Goldmount Golf Course lit up, and beside it, Event Coordinator. That’s not far.
I scroll back up and click on her profile picture, clicking through them until I come to one of Joyce and Karina in front of a bar—the clubhouse bar? Karina’s wearing a neat green apron, and the woman has her arm wrapped around her. Karina’s smiling at her fondly.
They’re close, and this is a side to Karina I haven’t seen—not that I know her at all—but I wouldn’t have guessed she could seem so warm. Soft, even.
I click on the blue link to Goldmount Golf Course, and it brings me to their own page. I scroll through their photos and find several with Karina behind the bar with some of the golfers, and a few of her behind a beer cart out on the green.
My phone rings on the beanbag beside me, lighting up the dim room.
Unknown Caller.
If it’s the same voice, I’m calling the police. I press the green button and hold the phone to my ear, my heart racing. “Hello?”
“Hi, Tabbie? It’s Wesley.”
“Wesley,” I almost laugh as I say his name. “Hi.”
“Hi, what’s so funny?”
“I just wouldn’t have guessed it was you.” I thought he didn’t want to keep in touch… “Changed your mind about exchanging info, did you?”
“Connor gave me your number, reluctantly, and under the sole condition that if you let him know I’m giving you any trouble, he’ll never speak to me again.”
That’s Connor. Always protective.
“Sorry I haven’t answered your calls. Someone called Cassy and Matt’s the other night when I was watching the twins, and they kinda freaked me out.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, whoever it was knew my name. They spoke in this creepy voice and asked me where she was.”
“Where she was?”
“Yeah, and I don’t think they were talking about Cassy. They wouldn’t tell me who they were, and so I thought that’s who was calling, but it was you. You’ve called me four times now?”
“I’m sorry, I know it’s a lot, but I needed to talk to you. The police had me come in and give a written statement.”
“Yeah, they asked Cassy and Matt to as well. That’s why I was watching the twins.”
“They did? Okay, that helps a bit. When Connor hadn’t been asked, I thought I was the only one because they think I was the last to see her.”
“You were, weren’t you?”
“Not if someone came to pick her up.”
“Is that what you think happened?”
“She was on the phone, talking to someone. That’s why I didn’t get closer. I didn’t want to interrupt, and I wanted to give her privacy. I didn’t hear much, but it’s the only thing that makes sense.”
“How do you explain the car at Liz and Arland’s?”
“I can’t.”
None of us can, but he’s been acting so suspicious…
“You were pretty adamant about not involving the police after finding the car.”
“I just know how they can be. I know things can seem one way, when they’re really something different. Unexpected.”
He knows how the police can be. Maybe he’s had some run-ins with the law and is speaking from personal experience. “So, is that why you called? To tell me you had to give a written statement?”
“Well, yeah. I wanted to let you know I included our…fun in the statement.”
“Oh. Okay.” My face flushes as my mind races to remember if I told the detective about it already. No… I wouldn’t have. It’s no one’s business.
“I don’t usually kiss and tell,” he says, “but I thought it was best to be up front about it all, and I wanted to give you a heads up.”
“Well, I can appreciate that, but it wasn’t a big deal, right? So I hope he doesn’t make something more of it than what it was. Did you tell him it didn’t mean anything?”
That was stupid. Why did I ask that? Of course it didn’t mean anything. He left that night instead of staying with me, and he left in the morning without a goodbye.
“I just told him the facts.” He clears his throat.
“Everything’s been so weird since being at that house. Since Karina showed up.”
“Yeah, it has.” He pauses and a slurping follows, like he’s drinking something. “Who do you think was calling you?”
“I really don’t know. Someone who knew I was over at Cassy and Matt’s… Either they were told, or they saw me.”
“Have you asked Cassy yet?”
“No, I’m going to though.” I just have to pick the right time. She’s so stressed about Matt and I need to be careful not to upset her. “What are you doing tonight?”
“I just came in from the deck I’m building in my backyard. Now I’m sitting in my living room, finally able to relax, thanks to you.”
“Well, you’re welcome. Will this be the last I hear from you?”
“Do you want it to be the last you hear from me?”
I press my lips together and fight back a smile. What do I say to that? I don’t even know.
“Well,” he says, “I’ll text you my number, and then the ball’s in your court. Call me or don’t, up to you. You’re in control.”
The perfect answer to my awkward pause. “Okay,” I mutter and tuck my hair behind my ear. Best I don’t say anything else and embarrass myself.
“Okay. Have a good night, Tabbie.”
“You too.”
I hang up and run my fingers through my hair as the screen lights up with a text. His number. No message. No pressure. Just his number.
I smile and stare at it before adding it to my contacts and scrolling up from Wesley to find Cassy’s cell phone number. Before I get to it, I come across Huffman.
If I call the house, I might get to talk to Matt. See how he’s doing. Ask about Karina. If he’s upset about how things happened that night, maybe he’ll find some comfort in the fact that he’s not alone. Maybe I’ll find comfort in someone actually admitting to the guilt they feel over it all.
I tap the house number and hold the phone to my ear as I lean back in my bean bag.
“Hello, Huffman residence,” Mitchel says, “how may I direct your call?”
“Hi, Mitch, it’s Tabbie.”
“Hi, Tabbie!”
“Hi, buddy, how are ya?”
“Good. Guess what? My camp counsellor loved my castle! I think I’m going to get extra time in the lake.”
“That’s great. Keep me updated, okay? Could I speak to your mom or dad?”
“Dad just left, but Mom’s here somewhere. Mom!”
“What?” she hollers back.
“Tabbie’s on the phone for you!”
“Just a minute!” Cassy shouts back.
“Let me talk to her!” Robin shouts, and the twins fight until Cassy comes and takes the phone.
“Hello?” Cassy says.
“Hey, how are you?”
“Not bad. Get this, I was just in the washroom—alone.”
Did she find more pills? Something else Matt’s hiding?
“And?”
She lets out a light laugh. “You might have to be a mom to understand that one.”
“No, I get it.” You don’t have to be a mom to understand they barely get time to themselves. Especially when I’ve been there so often, taking care of the twins and Ryan to make sure they get a break. I’ve seen how tired Cassy is looking after them, and Liz, too, even with Odilia.
“Everything okay?”
“I wanted to tell you last night, but it didn’t seem like the right time.”
“Should I sit down?”
“No.” Except she’s going to take this seriously, like she does everything else. “Maybe. So last night, while I was at your place, someone called, and when I answered, they didn’t say anything for a bit. Then, in this creepy voice, they asked ‘Where is she?’”
“Oh-kay…” I hear a muffled noise in the background, like she’s sitting down.
“Then, when I asked who they were, they wouldn’t say, but they asked again and said my name.”
“What?” she whispers. At least she’s being careful the kids can’t hear now.
“Yeah. Did you tell anyone I was coming over?”
“Just the kids.”
And they were there in the room with me. It couldn’t have been them. “Are you sure?”
“Well, you took a bit to get here, so I had to call the department again and let them know you were coming, and I’d be there soon, so I guess they might have told Matt, but you know he wouldn’t have called.”
“I know.”
So just the Huffmans knew… And whoever was watching me.
“Tabbie, this worries me,” she whispers. “How would someone know you were here, have my home number, and why would they ask you that?”
“I don’t know.”
“This has all gotten so out of hand.” She sighs. “I mean, it could have been one of the neighbour kids. But what if it’s someone else, watching the house? Someone who knows you enough to know your name…”
“Hey, I didn’t tell you to freak you out. Nothing’s happened since. I just wondered if you’d been getting any calls like that.”
“No. Not that I know of.”
I take a deep sigh. “Good. Okay, well I’ll let you get back to your quiet time alone. Everything okay there?”
“Mhmm.” She pauses, and I brace for whatever’s coming next. “I know I told you about Matt, but I don’t want you checking up on it all the time, okay? I’ve got this.”
