Its escaping home that Wileys interested in, said Seth.
Not to mention he has an investigation to run.
Wiley is no investigation-runner, said Seth. Hell never be anything more than a sidekick. And he knows it.
He pushed the fifty closer to Shannon.
And why are you paying for Clydes drinks, anyway, big shot? said Shannon.
Out of pity, said Seth. But Clyde doesnt mind pity. He is unconcerned with the emotion behind a gesture. A fresh drink materializes before his swimming eyes? Well, thats as pure a gesture as anything, far as hes concerned a single, welcome moment that doesnt need to be weighed down by history or motive or rationale. A beers a beer.
A beers a beer, said Shannon. She put a bottle of Bud down in front of him. How did the search go today?
She poured a whiskey for Clyde.
Well, no one found anything, said Seth. But you get the sense they put the volunteers in places where they dont really think theyre going to find anything, so they wont screw up the evidence.
Probably, said Shannon.
And I got nothing out of Wiley afterward, said Seth. Even when he was wasted. I tried to pump him for information, but nothing.
You shouldnt be showing so much interest, said Shannon. You know that doesnt look good.
Ive got nothing to worry about, said Seth. He paused. Then again, how many times did I hear that in prison?
The door opened wide, and their heads jerked toward it.
Seths eyes lit up. He turned back to Shannon. Introducing the future Mrs Seth Fuller...
17
Well, isnt The Crow Bar a charming and battered little place? And why is Seth Fuller staring at me?
Seth nodded at Ren, then walked over to the pool table with a look that told her he would like to appear mysterious.
I would eat you alive.
Ren went to the bar. Shannon Fuller? Im Ren Bryce, Im with the FBI
Shannon nodded. Hi. Is there any word on Caleb?
No, said Ren. Not yet. Would you mind if we talked here? I just have a couple of things Id like to ask you.
Shannon frowned. You work late. Sure take a seat. Can I get you a drink?
A Coke would be great, thank you.
Caffeine... after 11 p.m. Great.
There were four customers across three tables in the bar, and two guys playing pool, one of whom was Seth. Ren looked out the window to the lake.
Nothing like a bright moon sparkling on black water.
This is where her son drowned. How does she come here every day?
Shannon set down the Coke.
Thank you, said Ren. She took a long drink. I was very sorry to hear that you lost your son.
Shannon nodded. Thanks.
I cant imagine the pain youre going through. To lose a child...
Its hard to know what to say, isnt it? said Shannon. Theres nothing worse. Im just here to pay the bills. Thats it. I feel thats all Ill be doing for the rest of my life. Showing up to pay the bills.
I wish I didnt have to bother you at a time like this, said Ren, but
Its OK, said Shannon. Anything I can do... She looked down at the floor. Im sorry I didnt help with the search today
Please, said Ren, no one would have expected you to. And there were plenty of volunteers.
Shannon looked at her, her eyes filling with tears. I couldnt bear the idea that I might find his body. I couldnt bear it. Im hoping to God hes alive, obviously that goes without saying, I hope but if he isnt... I... She shook her head.
I wonder were you the one who found your sons body.
OK... shoot, said Shannon. Ask me anything. She tried to smile.
You bought this place off John Veir, said Ren.
Shannon nodded. Yes.
What can you tell me about John? said Ren. What kind of man is he?
Shannon briefly glanced away. Hes a good guy. It was a quick sale, he wanted to offload the place, but he was kind enough to fix a lot of things up before I took it on. Hes a trained military diver, so he did a lot of the underwater work on the jetty. Basically, anything I had an issue with, he took care of. He didnt have to do that.
Ren nodded. Did you get to know his family?
Um... no, not really, said Shannon.
Ooh... what was that?
Did you ever see anything that gave you cause for concern? said Ren.
With John? No not at all, said Shannon. Why do you ask? You dont think he had anything to do with Calebs disappearance...
Just information-gathering, said Ren.
OK, said Shannon, because John Veir is a good man.
I just realized, said Ren, your son, Aaron, and Caleb were around the same age. Did they know each other?
Well, they went to the same school Aaron was a year behind Caleb, but I dont think they knew each other.
What is this weird vibe?
Can I ask you about your nephew, Seth? said Ren. He was in BRCI. Did he and John know each other?
Yes. Eye-dart.
Was there ever any issue between them? said Ren.
No, said Shannon. Not that I know of, anyway. Seth would have said.
Weve been told that Seth took a particular interest in Caleb Veir, said Ren.
What? Caleb?
Genuine shock.
That sounds terrible, said Shannon. Particular interest what do you mean by that?
We heard that Seth might buy him a soda, or pay for things for him at the store, said Ren. Do you know anything about that?
No, said Shannon. Why dont you ask him yourself, though? Hes right over there. Dont waste your time looking at Seth for this. Hes just a nice guy. When hes got money, he likes to look after people thats all. Tonight, hes paying for Clyde Brimmers drinks.
Ren handed Shannon her card. If you think of anything, please feel free to call me.
Ren turned her attention to Seth, walked over to him.
Seth Fuller? she said. Im Ren Bryce, Im with the FBI, working on the Caleb Veir disappearance. Could I talk to you for a moment, please?
She tilted her head toward a table in the corner.
You have now recognized me from the search. And you are not a happy man.
Seth walked over to the table, sat down opposite her, and pulled his stool back a few inches.
What can I do you for? he said. He looked up at the clock on the wall. Isnt it a little late to be working?
Not when a child is missing, said Ren.
He nodded. I suppose so.
How well did you know Caleb Veir? said Ren.
Not very well, said Seth. Why?
Are you sure about that? said Ren.
Sure Im sure, said Seth. Why?
Is it true that you bought him sodas, candy sometimes, and that you paid for comic books when he didnt have enough money?
Seth looked away. Yeah. So what?
So what? Hes a missing child and we were informed that you paid him a lot of attention...
What? said Seth. I was nice to the kid. Thats it. Im not into little boys. Fuck that. Id happily beat the shit out of someone who was into little boys. Im into grown women.
Something flashed in his eyes.
Ugh. Was there something in particular about Caleb...?
Nothing I told you. Nothing. I was just nice to him. Big deal. Arrest me.
What about John Veir? said Ren. Did you know John?
His eyes flicked over to Shannon and back again.
Seth, is there something youre not telling me? said Ren. Or something you feel you cant say? I can promise you it will be treated in the strictest confidence. A little boys life could be at stake here. I know you can understand the devastation that losing a child can cause...
Theres nothing, said Seth, except I think John Veir is a good man, OK? In case youre thinking hes not.
Ren nodded. OK. She handed him her notebook. Im going to need you to write down where you were on Sunday night and yesterday.
Thats easy, he said, twisting the notebook around to face him. I was here Sunday night Aunt Shannon and Clyde Brimmer can vouch for that.
Cute that he still calls her Aunt.
From what time? said Ren.
Uh... ten thirty p.m.?
And where were you before that?
Uh... I was in town. In Tate. In Buckys, having a burger, watching television. He wrote all this down.
And yesterday?
I was here, I slept late. Then I was helping Aunt Shannon behind the bar.
OK, said Ren. She handed him a card and took the notebook back. If you think of anything...
Sure, said Seth. Ill call.
Ren walked down the steps of The Crow Bar. She started to check her cell phone. In the light of the screen, she noticed something shining on the ground. She turned on her flashlight, crouched down, and ran the beam across the ground. There were several small shards of ceramics in different colors. She moved the light up to the plant pots on the porch outside the door of the bar. They looked new. There were price tags on some of them.
Maybe one of the storms blew them over.
All of them?
Ren glanced at the time on her phone. It was close to midnight.
I am wide awake.
Cant bear that empty hotel room.
She went around the back of the bar, the thick mud pulling at her boots as she walked. She inhaled the fresh smell of the water, the grass, the soil. She jammed her hands into her pockets, stared out across the surface.
God, I love lakes.
She was drawn to the waters edge, mesmerized by the rippling water. She walked closer.
I want to be down there.
I want to be swallowed up.
18
Jimmy Lyle sat in the corner of the Internet café. He was logged in to the site under Rapid01. Seeing the name Lynn96 blinking, ready to chat, accelerated his heart rate every time.
Rapid01: Hey...
Lynn96: Wr u bn?
Rapid01: Sorry. Family stuff
Lynn96: U stil cmng?
Rapid01: Y
Lynn96: $350
Rapid01: Y
Lynn96: Y ready
Rapid01: Both?
Lynn96: Y. Saturday 2pm?
Rapid01: C u then
The images filled his head. His entire body felt filled. His dick was hard. He was thinking only of the kids, not of Lynn96. Lynn was not to be visualized. Lynn, he figured, was a crack whore, a meth head, a junkie, someone willing to sell four hours with her two kids for $350. He wondered how she came to her price.
The rules of the café were printed on an A4 sheet stuck to the wall: RESPECT OTHER CUSTOMERS, NO PORN. Jimmy looked around. There were only two other customers, in the furthest corners. He took off his jacket, put it across his lap. He slipped his hand underneath it, unzipped his fly. The guy from behind the counter came out with an antibacterial spray and a cloth. He eyeballed Jimmy as he sprayed down the surface three tables down.
Jimmy zipped up his jeans, put his hand back on the mouse, clicked a few times, looked interested. His mind was in Lynns back garden. The sun was glistening on the pool. The children were standing beside it. He was kneeling by the water, smiling at them.
The guy from the Internet café had taken out a Sharpie, was writing in a notebook. Jimmy was hit with the smell of the ink. The image of his father replaced the image of the kids and he felt a surge of rage. The surface of the water in his mind was broken not by them, but by his daddys powerful, muscular form. The pool was no longer a pretty garden pool in the Miami sun, but the middle school pool with its stench of chlorine and its freezing tiles.