Steph doesn’t respond right away. She drops her face into her hands, stays that way for ten long seconds, then says, “I want to come clean about something.”
Clay stares hard at the top of Steph’s head. “Okay.”
Steph sits back up and drops her hands. “I haven’t seen you very much since you moved back. Mostly just when you need a haircut. But whenever we do see each other, it feels kind of flirty. Do you think that?”
Clay considers Steph’s question, then says, “Friendly. I’d say it’s friendly more than flirty.”
“Okay… But there’s something, right? I know high school was a long time ago but we definitely had something between us then. Something kind of special, I think. And some of those feelings are still there. Is it just me who thinks that? Because it seems to me like you feel it, too.”
This is the last conversation Clay expects or wants after being awake for thirty hours straight. He’s not sharp and fears he’ll say something stupid or, worse, hurtful. “We always got along great,” says Clay. “And yeah, it feels like we still do.”
“Of course,” says Steph. “I agree. So it’s… I guess the reason I’m here is… Last night I saw you at Knut’s. I was going to come over and say hello but then the chief of police sat next to you. And she wasn’t looking like the chief of police—she looked like she was on a date. With you.”
“Ah,” says Clay, more to buy time than because he understands. “We were not on a date. I ran into Zoey there. We talked for a little bit, then I left.”
“I know you left,” says Steph. “And about a minute after you left, so did Zoey. Did you two go somewhere together? I know, I know. It’s none of my business. We’re not dating. You’re free to see whoever you want to see. I just… I’m not in a great place right now. I’m super vulnerable with the divorce and with everything that happened with Thomas last night… So I guessI just don’t want to assume anything and make up stories in my brain. My therapist says I really have to work on that. So about an hour after you left, I was feeling very anxious about you leaving with her.”
“I didn’t leave with—”
“I know. Technically you didn’t leave with Zoey. You left a minute before and then she left. That’s what people do in small towns hoping there won’t be gossip. But it is a small town. We all know what leaving a minute apart means.”
Clay rubs his forehead. “Zoey ended up following me but not for romantic reasons. We were talking about Teddy. I told her that I was leaving because my father and I were going to ask around to see if anyone had spotted Teddy, but Zoey thought I might be up to something else. Which I was. So she followed me. Without me knowing it, which is not easy to do. That’s how she was nearby when Thomas and the other two boys assaulted my father and stole my truck. Then she followed the boys to the mess with Braedon and Daniel and took them into custody.”
“Oh,” says Steph. “I see. Oh, boy, Clay. I’m sorry I came over like this. I tried calling but it kept going straight to voicemail. Like you blocked my number or—”
“My phone is in the river,” says Clay.
“What?”
“My phone went straight to voicemail because it’s underwater. Thomas and his pals tossed my phone in the river after they stole my truck. When they were going over a bridge near Chatfield. It’s probably in La Crescent by now.”
“Oh, God,” says Steph. She’s on the verge of tears and tries to blink them away. “I’m so sorry, Clay. I’ve had no real trouble withThomas, and then out of the blue this happens. I’m shocked. And so embarrassed. He is never hanging out with that Graham again. That friendship is officially over.”
“That’s probably a good idea,” says Clay.
“Thomas is going to jail, isn’t he?” Steph can no longer hold back her tears. “My baby’s going to jail and there’s nothing I can do about it.”
“That hasn’t been decided yet,” says Clay. “The police will investigate the incident further, and then they’ll decide if they want to press charges.”
“Of course they’ll press charges!”
“Not necessarily. For one thing, my father and I are not pressing charges.”
“You aren’t?” says Steph. “They knocked Judd unconscious, stole forty-five thousand dollars, and your truck.”
“We are aware of that,” says Clay. “But they’re fifteen. A criminal conviction would be quite a hardship for all three. We would rather give them a chance to turn things around. The important thing right now is that we find Teddy. Maybe the boys can be of some help. We’d rather keep them in a mindset where they might remember something rather than worrying about who their cellmate will be.”
“Oh…” Steph places her palm over her chest. “That is so kind of you. So kind… And considerate. Thank you. Thank you so much.” Steph drops her face into one hand and adds, “I’ve made such a fool of myself.”
“No you haven’t. I got duped by three fifteen-year-old boys. That’s making a fool of yourself.”
Steph looks up at nothing and taps her foot in the air, oneleg crossed over her opposite knee. She shakes her head and says, “I’m a piece of work, huh? I just freaked out like I’m the victim in all this. But you’re the victim. You and your dad. I guess I just couldn’t believe you weren’t answering my calls or returning my texts this morning and… Okay, I’ll shut up. I know you need sleep. I’ll go.” Steph stands.
Clay considers telling Steph that after they find Teddy, he’s open to discussing the idea of him and her and… But he can only think clearly enough right now to know that he isn’t thinking clearly. Plus he’s pretty sure she has something going on with Eli Hensel. Maybe it’s best not to say something he might feel differently about after he gets some rest.
Instead he says, “I’m glad you came by.”
“You are?”
