“You and me, Brae, we have to stick together. So let’s keep the communication open between us. Even if you think I won’t like something, you can tell me. And I’ll do the same and tell you.” There’s a knock on the door. Clay says, “Come in.”
The door opens just a fraction and Zoey’s head pops in. “Need you ASAP.” There is nothing light in her tone or her expression.
Clay knows that look, and his heart sinks. He drops his head into his hand and says, “If you want to know what’s going on, Brae, come out to the kitchen with me.”
The color has drained from Judd’s face. That’s the first thing Clay notices when he enters the kitchen. Braedon notices, too, and without thinking takes a step back and leans against the refrigerator door. It feels safer a few steps away because something’s wrong. Something is very wrong.
Zoey takes her seat at the kitchen table next to Judd and says, “I just got a call from Thomas Becker.” She looks at Clay and then Braedon and then back to Clay. “Thomas told me hehas nightmares every night. He said he thinks he’s having these nightmares because when they found Teddy’s things, they also found Teddy.”
“What?” says Braedon, unable to prevent the word from escaping his mouth.
Clay looks back at his son and says, “Let’s just listen, Braedon.”
“Do you want me to leave?”
“Not unless that would make you more comfortable,” says Clay. “Your choice.”
Braedon knows what his father is doing. Treating him more like a grown-up after having lied by omission because he thought Braedon was too young. Braedon isn’t sure if he likes his new status. “I’m okay,” he manages.
Clay looks at Judd, who is focused on Zoey. Stoic. Tight-mouthed. Breathing slow and steady.
“Thomas thinks,” says Zoey, “that when they found Teddy, he wasn’t breathing.”
Judd shakes with restraint. Like he’s using both feet in the car, pressing one down on the gas and the other on the brake.
Zoey continues. “Thomas said he wants his nightmares to stop. He hopes that telling me the truth will make them go away. But I don’t know what to believe because all three boys, in our separate interrogations, said Teddy wasn’t there when they found his belongings.” She looks at Clay. “I suggest we drop in on each house unannounced and press them on their story.”
Something clicks in Clay’s head. It’s a vision. Nothing supernatural or clairvoyant or anything like that. It’s from hisimagination, the greatest gift an investigator can possess. And for the first time since Teddy disappeared, he thinks he might know what happened to his uncle. At least part of the story.
“Yeah,” says Clay. “I think we should do that right away. Dad?”
Judd nods and says nothing.
CHAPTER 39
“Is Grandpa going to be okay?” Braedon rides shotgun as Clay drives.
Clay gave him a choice. Braedon could stay home by himself, go to the police station and hang out with Sue, go to the fly shop and hang out with Carol, or go to Judd’s and hang out with Mei. Clay was surprised when Braedon chose Mei, but Braedon’s question makes his choice less surprising.
“Grandpa will be okay,” says Clay. “This is hard for him. You and me, we don’t have any siblings, so we don’t know what it’s like. But Teddy is not only Grandpa’s brother, he’s not only Grandpa’s twin brother, but he’s the person Grandpa is closest to. We don’t know if what Thomas Becker told his parents is true or not, but if it is, we’ll all be okay. Doesn’t mean it’ll be easy, but we will be okay.”
“Are you sad?”
“I’m concerned,” says Clay. “If it’s true that Teddy is dead, I’ll be very sad. And that’s okay. It should be sad. We should be sad.”
They ride the remaining few minutes in silence. When Clay pulls up to Judd’s house, Mei stands on the porch waiting for them.
Judd and Zoey decide that Clay should be the one who questions Thomas Becker this time. Judd spoke to him the first time, and maybe because Judd is Teddy’s twin brother, Thomas was afraid to tell the truth. Or maybe it’s just that Judd has resting angry face. And with Graham acting like the boys’ leader, maybe Judd’s hard eyes are needed to crack him. Zoey goes to Markey Franzen’s house. They will conduct separate interviews in the boys’ homes, and meet at the police station when they’re done.
Steph doesn’t answer her phone so Clay drives by the C3 beauty salon. Her car is parked in back. He parks next to her and goes in. He finds Steph washing a client’s hair. He waits until Steph wraps a towel around the person’s head and walks them back to the cutting station. Then he walks over and says, “Steph, sorry to interrupt. Can I have two minutes?”
Steph excuses herself, and they head to the small break room. Clay explains what’s about to happen—he’s going to Steph’s house to question Thomas one more time. “Do you know that he’s been having nightmares?” says Clay.
Steph shakes her head. She looks like she’s in shock. She hasn’t made eye contact with Clay since he started talking, but now she looks at him and says, “You’ll be kind to Thomas, I hope.”
“Of course. Does that mean I have your permission? Because I need it to talk to an unaccompanied minor. Neither you nor Wags will be with him.”
Steph nods. “You have my permission. God, I hate that Thomas is mixed up with those other boys. This is not his fault.” Steph reaches out and grabs Clay’s forearm. “He’s a good kid, Clay.” The tears start. “Please tell me this won’t ruin his life.”
