214 Palmer Street(57)

Sarah picked up a pebble and tossed it into the hole, like someone testing for depth. Finally, she called out, “Is anyone down there?” Not even an echo.

I aimed my phone in her direction and took a few pictures, wanting to document what I was seeing. She paused for so long I wondered if she’d heard the almost imperceptible click coming from my direction, but her attention never veered from the bomb shelter.

Just when I thought she’d lost her nerve and was going to turn back, she headed slowly down the stairs. I watched as she got lower and lower, finally getting swallowed up into the void.

Through the lens I followed her movement.

Click.

Click.

Click.





THIRTY-FIVE





Luckily, Kirk was ready and waiting when the squad car pulled into the driveway. Gavin rolled down the window as he came to a stop and stuck out his head. “Do you have your cell phone with you?”

“Yes, of course.” Kirk fished it out of his pocket and held it up. “Always have it on me.”

Gavin shook his head. “Not tonight you don’t. Leave it here.”

“Why?”

“A request from your wife. She doesn’t want you bringing your cell phone.”

“You’re kidding, right?”

“Do I look like I’m kidding?”

“It’s just… I don’t understand why she’d ask that. It doesn’t make sense to me.” Kirk’s eyebrows furrowed as he ran his fingers through his hair.

“Maybe she wants your full attention for once?”

Kirk looked down at his phone, his forehead creased in thought. “Maybe.”

A wave of urgency came over Gavin; it was all he could do not to rip the phone out of his hand and throw it across the yard. “Look, Kirk, it’s late and frankly, I’d rather not be doing this at all. I’ve been killing myself looking for your wife and having finally found her, I’ve gone out of my way to bring you two together. Leave the cell phone here or I’m not taking you to see Sarah.”

“Okay, okay.” Obediently, Kirk trotted back to the house, disappeared inside and came out a minute later, keys in hand. He slid into the passenger seat and clicked on his seatbelt. “Tell me about Sarah. Where did you find her? Is she okay? Is she angry with me?”

Kirk’s neediness was off the charts. He had a habit of attaching himself to people, making them his sole focus. Jeremy had been the first recipient of his undying loyalty. Those two had been inseparable. They were going to be roommates in college and then start a business. Everything was going to be done in conjunction with the other one. Gavin had imagined them marrying twins, buying houses next door to each other, and raising their children together. So many plans and none of them included Gavin. Things changed once Jeremy was out of the picture. Kirk was adrift. And he remained that way until he met Sarah, his new addiction. It was like the guy couldn’t function on his own. Gavin didn’t answer until they were off the driveway and headed down the road. “She’s taking a trip down memory lane. And if she’s not angry with you now, she will be. Soon enough that will be the least of your worries.” He smoothly accelerated. The sooner this was over the better.

“Why aren’t you giving me a straight answer?” Kirk drummed his fingers against the base of the window.

“We’ll be there in ten minutes.”

They drove in silence, not even a peep from the police radio. Gavin felt a surge of hope. As if the universe was looking out for him, all the pieces were falling into place. Maybe he’d be able to ease his way out of this after all. When they turned in to the state park entrance, Kirk sat up. “This can’t be right. She’s here?” He turned to Gavin, and gave him a quizzical look.

The headlights led the way, following the curving road. When they got to his earlier stopping point, he pulled off the road and parked, then shut off the lights, and stilled the engine.

“Why are we here?” Kirk wondered.

“We’re here because your lovely wife was last seen at your childhood home.” He glanced over at Kirk, who was staring at him slack-jawed.

Finally, he spoke. “No.”

“Yes. It seems she’s taken an interest in the old bomb shelter. Your job is to talk her out of getting all of us charged with murder.”





THIRTY-SIX





“What the hell are you talking about?” Kirk asked. Gavin had pulled a lot of crap over the years, but this was taking it to new heights. Was this some kind of sick joke? If he discovered Gavin was mocking him about Sarah’s disappearance and tying it to what happened to Jeremy, they were through. He didn’t care about their past history. The friendship was over.

“Your wife is camped out at your old house and has been trying to dig out the bomb shelter.” From the way he said it, Gavin was offended that Kirk was questioning him.

“My wife has been digging in my old backyard?”

“Is there an echo in here? Yes, that’s what I said.”

Kirk gave him a look of disbelief. “You’re out of your mind. That doesn’t sound like Sarah. Why would she do that?” He knew Sarah as well as he knew himself. Her level of empathy was beyond measure. She thought carefully before she told someone they had spinach between their teeth. Besides, she was delicate, and still needed him for so many things. Just the other day he’d opened a jar for her. The idea that she’d leave him to dig up a stranger’s backyard was unthinkable. “No way.”