“Okay, okay. This is good. Maybe this is the only copy of his evidence.”
“That’s what we’re hoping, but we can’t depend on that.”
“True.”
“Are you okay?” I ask. “Where were you?”
“Near the Wyoming border. I’m still about an hour out. I was…checking out one of the GPS coordinates. Dale and Brock are still up there.”
“Why did you leave?”
“Because my phone vibrated, and then nothing happened. I didn’t know if it was you or Dad or anybody. But I was freaked out enough that I needed to know.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you worry.”
“It’s okay, baby. Trust me, I was glad to have an excuse to leave.”
“Why?”
“Oh, Cal, I’d tell you, but I just can’t talk about it right now. Can’t lay it on you. Don’t worry about me, though. I’m fine. Dale and Brock are fine. It’s just… Damn. So much going on.”
“All right. I understand.” Though I’m a little upset that he doesn’t want to confide in me. “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow at work.”
“Actually…I’ll be taking the rest of the week off.”
“What?”
“Yeah. I’ve got shit to take care of in the city. I’m sorry, but I had Alyssa clear my schedule for the next three days. I’ll be back Friday evening.”
My heart aches, and tears threaten. Why? Why didn’t he tell me he was planning to leave town for a few days?
“Okay,” I finally say.
“I’ll miss you, baby.”
“Yeah. I’ll miss you too. Right. Then I’ll see you at the big party, I guess.”
“Right. Steel party. Rah, rah, rah.”
“Donny, you’re freaking me out a little here.”
“I’m sorry, baby. I’m just exhausted. I think I need a good night’s sleep, though it’s doubtful I’ll get one.”
“Try some melatonin. Or a stiff shot of your dad’s Peach Street.”
“Maybe both,” he says with a soft chuckle. “I love you, Callie. I’ll see you Friday.”
“I love you too.”
I move back to my brother and sister.
“Everything okay?” Rory asks.
“No, actually. He’s leaving town for a few days. Something’s bothering him, but he doesn’t want to talk about it. Which is fine, because I don’t want to talk about what’s bothering me, either. Though I did tell him what happened here tonight because he was worried. Apparently my text started to go through but then didn’t. He was in a place where there wasn’t good service, so…” I plunk my ass into an Adirondack chair on the deck. “You know how it goes.”
“All right,” Jesse says. “What’s your next step?”
“I just don’t know,” Rory says, her lips still twisted into a grimace. “I just don’t fucking know.”