“What scared you, ma’am?”
“Just some stuff from my past. But everything’s okay now. Please… You can go.”
The cops look at each other. For a moment, I think they’re going to slap cuffs on both Gloria and Aspen, but then—
“All right,” one of them says. “Here’s my card if you change your mind about filing a report.” He hands it to Gloria.
“Thank you for your kindness. I won’t change my mind.”
Once the cops leave— “What the hell was that all about?”
“She tried to run,” Aspen says.
“Why, Gloria? Why did you try to run?” I ask.
“I know exactly what you’re thinking. I swear it wasn’t me.”
“Listen,” I say. “You were my first suspect when Aspen told me everything, but she swears it wasn’t you as well. So if you have nothing to hide, can’t you just tell us the truth?”
“It’s not that simple.”
“She says it wasn’t Taylor either,” Aspen says, “but I’m not sure I believe her. After all, she and Taylor apparently broke up soon after I was taken.”
“I can only tell you this,” Gloria says. “If it was Taylor, I didn’t know she was involved.”
“So you know who was involved then?” I ask.
“Look,” Aspen says. “We’ve got a table at the restaurant. Let’s go back in. We can talk.”
“Good idea,” I agree.
Gloria looks around, over her shoulder, as though she thinks someone may be watching her.
“I’m a professional,” I tell her. “If someone were following us, I would know.”
She trembles as she nods and accompanies us back into the restaurant.
“Oh good,” the host says. “We thought you had run out on the bill.”
“The bill? For one glass of wine?” I shake my head.
“I’m afraid we gave your table away,” he says. “But I do have another one.”
“Fine.”
Our new table is closer to the back, which is actually better. Less chance of anyone overhearing us. We take a seat, and the server brings waters. Aspen orders another glass of Chianti, and this time, Gloria joins her.
Probably not a bad idea. Perhaps a bit of alcohol will help her take the edge off. Help her to start talking.
Me? I stick with water.
I want to be on edge right now. I don’t want any part of me even slightly inebriated when Gloria tells us what she knows.
“Start talking,” I say.
She opens her mouth and then it closes. She does this again, and then three and four times. Our server comes back with the wine.
Gloria takes a sip.
Then she begins to speak.
“I heard a couple of women talking, the day after you disappeared.”
“Players on the team?” Aspen asks.
“Yes.
“Who were they?”
“I didn’t see who they were, but I know they weren’t Taylor, because I know her voice. Or at least I knew it then.”
“Laura? Celeste?”
“I can see why you think it might have been them, but I’m pretty sure they had already left the locker room.”
“Are you sure?” Aspen asks.
She sighs. “No. I’m not sure. I’m not sure of anything. I didn’t see them.”
“Wait a minute,” Aspen says. “How did you not see them?”
“It was right before the game the next day. I hung back in the locker room to say a quick prayer, since I was taking your spot and I wanted to make sure I was up for it. I also prayed for you, Aspen.” She pauses.
Are we supposed to thank her for praying? Is she trying to manipulate Aspen?
Not happening.
Gloria clears her throat and goes on. “I heard two voices coming from the other side of the lockers. Obviously they didn’t know I was still there.
“All right. What did they say?”
“One of them just said that it was done. And the other said ‘when do we get paid?’ The first one said, ‘the money’s already in my account. I’ll transfer your half as soon as possible.’”
“Anything else?”
Gloria gulps then. “Yes. The second person said…”
“Go ahead,” I say, icicles poking at my neck. “Nothing can surprise us at this point.”
Gloria gulps again. “She said, ‘dumb bitch got what she deserved. Gloria should’ve always had that position.’ I’m sorry. I hate that word.”
Aspen’s eyes widen into circles. “So it was about you.”
“See? You’re going to think I was behind it. I swear to God that I wasn’t.”
“I have never thought you were behind this, Gloria,” Aspen says.
“But no one can deny I had the most to gain by your disappearance.”
I nod. “Very true.”
Aspen glares at me, but I have no remorse. I’m still not convinced Gloria is the sweet little innocent Aspen thinks she is.
“What did you do then? Did you let them know you heard them?”
“Of course not. They didn’t know I was listening. And I didn’t want to know any more.”
“No, you just wanted Aspen’s position on the team.” I say matter-of-factly.
She bites her lip, and her eyes glaze over.
“Buck…” Aspen admonishes.
“Let’s get this straight,” I say. “Aspen never thought you had anything to do with this. I’ve made that clear. But I’ve seen a lot in my short life, and you know what’s pretty remarkable? When it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, chances are it’s a fucking duck.”