“Got anything?” she asked.
But there was no luck on his end, and Granny and Marla said CJ, Shenise, Gabby, and Mariana didn’t seem to know anything either, or else they were phenomenal actors.
“You keep looking, see what you can turn up,” Rev told her. “Maybe go to Harold’s, or that corner shop where he helps Mr.Allen. I’m heading to the police station to file a report, see if we can get a search going.”
She struggled to form the words. “I’ll meet you there soon. Rev … see if they can send a car to his house, too. Just in case.”
Rev seemed to understand what she’d left unsaid.
“Will do,” he said, voice somber. “Check in with me in a bit.”
Her mouth was bone dry as she made a right onto Aberville Highway and headed toward the corner shop. Why hadn’t she followed Devon home that first night, when she first saw the bruise? Why had she doubted, wondered, talked to Granny and Josh about it and not him? She’d known something was going on at home, known it in her heart, even if her head hadn’t quite caught up. What do they always say—hindsight is twenty/twenty?
Come on, Devon. Where are you?
She wished she could call Josh, wished more than anything they could go back to Saturday night, wished he was there by her side. He’d know what to do, or at least be able to help. But she couldn’t call him.
Now isn’t the time for games, Rebecca. She needed Josh’s help—for Devon’s sake, if nothing else. And lifting her chin, she picked up her phone and dialed.
Josh’s hello was cold, but she pushed past it.
“I need help.” She could hear her voice cracking, squeezed her eyes shut tight. No tears. You need to be strong for Devon.
“Are you okay?” Instantly, his voice changed. Instead of anger, she heard concern.
Relief flooded. “It’s Devon.” She filled him in.
“Where are you now?” Josh asked. In the background, she could hear what sounded like a chainsaw.
“Heading to town to check the places I know he goes regularly, then to the police station to meet Rev.”
“Let’s meet at the station in thirty.”
“No, no, it’s okay—”
“Becks, two heads are better than one. This isn’t a time for being polite. You know it as well as I do.”
“You’re right.” She let out a shaky breath. “Thanks.”
“We’ll find him.”
“I hope so, Josh.”
“Don’t let yourself think otherwise. See you soon.”
???
She made the rounds quickly: the grocery, the pharmacy. The corner store, where Mr. Allen said he’d worked a couple hours Thursday evening. No one had seen him since.
“Oh, honey,” said Louanne at Harold’s Diner, one hand at her chest. Her eyes were wide. “Please tell me nothing’s happened to that sweet boy. Billy!” she called to the cook, who was flipping burgers behind the grill. “You seen our little Devon? You know, Miss Rebecca-here’s friend?”
“Sure haven’t,” Billy called back. “Why, is he missing?”
“No one’s seen him since Thursday.” Rebecca swallowed.
“And in this weather, too.” Louanne cast a look at the skies outside, which were dark, then seemed to take in Rebecca anew. “Gracious, you’re soaked!”
Rebecca gave a rueful smile. “Forgot my umbrella.”
