The Fix Is In (Torus Intercession 4)

“Sure,” I said to keep her talking.

The day he disappeared, they had agreed to meet in Rune and go for a long hike near an old cabin she knew.

“He drove us up there on his bike, but we never got around to hiking,” she explained softly, her voice going out on her. “It was the most romantic day of my life.”

We were all quiet for a few moments before Benji cleared his throat.

“He had told me there were some gorgeous plants he wanted to take a closer look at, but I knew Pete would be home wanting dinner, so I told him I had a late shift and needed to get back. He drove me into town and dropped me off in front of the distillery, and my friend Darcy picked me up.”

“And that was the last time you saw him?” I wanted to make sure.

“Yes,” she answered, her voice quavering. “I can remember everything about that day, and especially the kiss he gave me, how he waited to make sure Darcy picked me up, and how he waved to both of us before he drove away.”

“Wait,” Benji ordered, glaring at her. “You never saw him again, and what? You didn’t care, or––”

“No!” She paused and took a moment to breathe. “No, I got a text message from him.”

“What?” Benji snapped, irritated for some reason. I felt bad for her; he was something else.

She pulled out her phone, swiped the screen several times, and then passed it to me. Benji leaned close so he could read the text as well. All it said was that he had to leave, there was an emergency at home, and he would call her from the road.

“But he never called?” Benji asked her.

She shook her head.

“And I’m guessing you called a million times, and texted, right?”

“Yes,” she rasped, tears filling her eyes.

“You reported him missing though,” I stated because that made sense. “Didn’t you?”

She nodded quickly.

“How did you keep your name out of it?”

“My friend Renee is a deputy there in Gearhart.”

“Okay.”

“You won’t tell on her, will you?”

“No. You did the right thing; I don’t want anyone in trouble for that.”

“You were more worried about your husband finding out about the affair than you were about Caleb,” Benji remarked coldly, his anger there, right below the surface,

“That’s not true,” she choked.

“It was just a fling, right?” Benji pressed her. “Nothing more.”

“No, I… I would have left with him if he’d asked me,” she admitted. “I would have gone anywhere he wanted, but he didn’t ask, so I stayed with my husband.”

Benji opened his mouth to say something, but then closed it and inhaled through his nose. After a moment, I saw his face change, and there was a veneer of calm. “What prompted you to come to the police station today?” He asked the question like he was inquiring about the weather.

“My friend, Darcy,” she began, “Darcy Alameda, Stewart’s wife.”

“The ranger,” I said, putting it together.

She nodded quickly.

“I know them both well,” Benji affirmed, giving her a trace of a smile. “Small world.”

“It is. Even smaller here since Rune and Gearhart basically sit on top of each other. Darcy saw the flyer on Stewart’s desk when she took him his lunch today. She called me right away.”

“Did she tell Stewart that you’d been involved with Caleb?” I questioned her.

“No. But she made sure to tell him that she and I would be joining him on the search tomorrow morning.”

“And he didn’t think that was odd because you and Darcy help out all the time.” I glanced at Benji, noting how focused he was before I turned back to her.

“That’s right.”

I was quiet for a moment. “Why would you volunteer to join the search, though? Caleb left you.”

Her whole face scrunched up.

“Suzie?”

Her breath sounded choppy. “About a week after he left, I got a job as a beautician, working with Darcy at her shop. I’ve had my cosmetology license for years and always kept it current, and I’m glad I did because it gave me options. I wasn’t at the bar anymore.” I waited as she took a moment before continuing. “And I have to tell you, that change was like a weight off me, and Pete felt it too. Us not being together twenty-four seven has made all the difference in the world. He’s a completely different person from the man he was when Caleb was here.”

I nodded, waiting.

“Everything in our relationship has changed,” she explained, smiling for the first time. “We take turns cooking, we split the chores fifty-fifty, and––”

“That’s all great,” I conceded, “but what does that have to do with Caleb?”

“Looking back on everything now, I don’t think us not being around each other was the only reason for the change in Pete.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, even though I could already follow her train of thought.