“Right. A month or so later, James moved out.”
“Where did he go?”
“To an apartment complex in the Renton area.”
“Do you remember what it was called?”
“I do.” Ricardo released a soft chuckle. “It was called The Ridge. Even then it was old. It’s long since been torn down.”
“If James was able to get an apartment, then I’m guessing he found work pretty quickly,” Zander said.
“We both did. James got a job in construction. I got a job at a restaurant washing dishes. I’ve been in the restaurant business ever since.” His eyes crinkled. “Luckily for me, I don’t wash dishes anymore.”
“Did the two of you remain close?” Britt asked. Her features were arranged in easygoing lines, but Zander could sense the focus beneath the surface.
“For several months, yes. Then we each started to make friends at work. I moved to a suburb a ways from his. We saw each other less and less, and then we lost touch. I remember trying to contact him at some point ... a year, a year and a half, maybe, after we’d come to Seattle. No luck. I couldn’t reach him. I’ve never heard from him or about him again. Until today.”
Zander scratched his jaw. “We know that James was shot in the leg after moving to Washington, but we never could get him to talk to us about it. Do you know anything about that?”
“He was shot in the leg?” Ricardo asked, puzzled.
“Right. He had a bullet wound in his thigh.”
“I don’t know anything about that.”
“He never mentioned a leg injury?” Zander asked.
“No. Back when I knew him, his leg was fine.” If Ricardo was lying, he was outstanding at it. Every word sounded like truth to Zander.
“Did you meet any of the friends James made working construction?” Britt asked.
“Yeah.” He seemed to rake through his memory. “I met his buddies a couple of times, but I don’t remember their names.”
“Did James have a girlfriend?” Zander asked.
“Not that I knew of.” The sun came out and Ricardo shielded his eyes with one hand. “Did James ever marry and have a family?”
“Yes,” Zander told him. “He did both.”
“Good for him.” Ricardo gestured with his cigar to his impressivehouse. “My wife and I got married two months ago. She’s the best thing that ever happened to me.”
“Congratulations,” Britt said.
“Would you like to come inside and meet her? Have a cup of coffee?”
“Thanks, but we can’t today,” Zander said. “We have an appointment.”
Ricardo smiled understandingly. “Sure, sure. I’m glad you two stopped by. I only wish I could have been more help.”
Note passed between Britt and Zander in tenth grade:
BRITT:Why did you quit the debate team?
ZANDER:I changed my mind about it. I’m going to be busy with soccer.
BRITT:I was the alternate, so now that you’ve quit, Mrs. Covington has invited me to take your spot. You definitely didn’t quit just so that I could be on the team, did you?
ZANDER:Definitely not.
