214 Palmer Street(37)

Kirk could have anticipated this reaction. Yes, she’d tried to hit him up for money, even threatening to tell Sarah everything if he didn’t, but he’d known she was bluffing. Clarice was always playing games, making unreasonable demands, pushing people away, and then trying to lure them back again. She was a walking nightmare. Of course she was irked with him. He hadn’t played his part in the game. Frankly, he hadn’t really wanted to call her, but she was Sarah’s closest friend and the most likely to know where she’d gone.

“Really, that’s where we’re at now?”

“You said you never wanted to speak to me again, and now you call and expect what? That I’d be thrilled to hear from you?” She laughed. “I thought you were going to block me. Whatever happened to that?”

Kirk leaned against the kitchen counter and sighed. He didn’t have the time or patience for games. “Please don’t start with me, Clarice. I’m calling to ask if you know where Sarah is.”

“You’re her husband. Shouldn’t you know where she is?”

“Can you just answer the question?”

“Oh, that would be too easy.”

“Okay, never mind.” His finger was poised to disconnect the call, but something kept him from it.

Clarice laughed. “Do you have any idea how much I’m enjoying this? Kirk Aden calling me, suddenly needing something. This is rich.”

Typical. She hadn’t changed much since they were teenagers. Technically she’d been Gavin’s go-to back in the day, but she was non-discriminatory, flirting with all three boys, smiling their way, laughing at their jokes, touching them playfully. Gavin thought the fact that she hit on all of them was a riot. Once he’d told Kirk, “Trust me, you guys are just the warm-up act.”

When the five of them hung out in a group, Clarice would wait until everyone’s attention was elsewhere and do something provocative just for Kirk. Licking her lips. Leaning over to show him her cleavage. Winking in a suggestive way. Kirk tried his best to ignore her. One time Stephanie Bickley had noticed Clarice running a hand over Kirk’s thigh and her eyes grew wide.

Later, Clarice had asked Jeremy, “Why does your sister always have to be here? Doesn’t she have any friends of her own?”

Jeremy had shrugged. “She has friends, but none of them live nearby.”

Kirk had to speak up then, of course. “Why do you care? She just sits and reads. It’s not like she’s bothering anyone.”

“It’s just crowded down here. We don’t really need one more person taking up space,” Clarice said with a pout. Clearly, she would have preferred being the only female in the group.

“She stays,” Kirk had said, firmly. His house, his bomb shelter, his rules.

So many years later, just when he thought he’d gotten Clarice out of his life, she started working in the office with Sarah at Garden Design Landscaping. He couldn’t believe the nerve of her befriending his wife. And now, adding insult to injury, he had to ask her, of all people, for help. He could picture the gleeful look on her face.

Sarah had seemed enamored of Clarice, starting with her admiration of the older woman’s sleek buttery-blond hair, cut to exacting standards. Clarice had an effortless way about her with her perfect make-up, coordinated outfits and obviously expensive jewelry chosen to draw attention. Those who didn’t know her well only saw her outward appearance and an outgoing, friendly personality that could light up a room. Clarice was someone you noticed, but the truth was that Clarice had nothing on Sarah but an undeserved confidence and a love of shopping. Next to her, Sarah, with her unpainted nails and more casual clothing style, seemed younger and less sophisticated, but anyone who knew both women could tell the difference. Sarah was the real deal, a quality woman with a big heart. Clarice was all show, no substance.

He sighed audibly. “I can tell this is going nowhere, so never mind. If you hear from her, tell her to give me a call. I’m worried.”

He’d almost clicked off when he heard her voice from the other end of the line call out, “Wait a minute! I did hear from her. I got a text this morning.”

Kirk leaned in to the phone. “This morning?”

“Yes, about nine o’clock.”

“What did it say?”

“You want to come over and I’ll show it to you?” Her tone was teasing.

“No, I don’t want to come over.” She had to be the most annoying woman on the planet. “Just tell me now. Seriously, Clarice, I’m crazy with worry over her. She just took off and you know that’s not like her.”

“All right. I’ll send you a screenshot, but first you have to apologize to me.”

“For what?”

“For everything.”

He clenched his fist and looked out the window at their backyard, willing himself to keep it together. “Of course, Clarice. Whatever I’ve said or done to hurt your feelings I regret. I hope you’ll accept my sincere apology for my behavior.”

“That’s better.” Her tone softened. “I think we might become friends after all, Mr. Aden.”

Friends? That was never going to happen, but there was no point in contradicting her. “You said you’d send me a screenshot?”

“After we’re done with this conversation,” she said.