“Oh yeah, he’s out of town for a few days,” I confirm.
“He didn’t answer my calls either,” the man says.
“Yeah, he’s taking some time off. Is it urgent?” I ask, taking another long look at the man. He appears a little frazzled, almost jerky with his movements. I can’t say exactly why, but something looks off about him.
“I need to talk to him,” he states.
“I’m sorry, but he’s unavailable for a few days. Is there something I can do to help?”
“It’s private.” The man looks around, noting we have several people’s attention, including everyone at my table. I’m torn. Half of me wants to reiterate that if he wants to talk to Dad, it will be a few days, but the other half is itching to see what has this man seeking out my father. “Can you call him and tell him to return my calls?” he finally requests after sending a glare around the room.
“Eugene,” Grayson says, and it takes the man a moment before he looks over at him. “What’s going on?”
The man, Eugene, lets out a heavy breath and his shoulders slump. I can see he’s struggling with this, and it’s not any easier that everyone around us seems to be waiting to see what gossip they can pick up.
“Would you like to step outside?” I offer.
Eugene barely lifts his head, but his eyes find mine and he gives me a tight nod. I move to stand, but Grayson rises with me. I don’t bother arguing, the look on his face tells me it’s not worth my time, so we head out of the diner in a single file line, with Felix and Remy right behind us.
“Aisling is missing,” Eugene states the moment we step away from the door and have some privacy.
My eyes widen. He spoke as if I would know who this person is, and I’m a little surprised he wants to keep the fact that someone is missing under wraps. “Who is Aisling? Did you report this to Scotty or anyone at the station?” I question. My luck, it’s going to be a fucking goat or something.
“My wife. And no, I trust your dad,” he says, eyeing me. “Didn’t he tell me you went to the academy? Are you working for HCPD now?”
“No, sir, I’m an MBI agent,” I tell him and quickly glance at Gray. He must know this man since he addressed him by name. “You should go down to the station and make a report about your wife. How long has she been missing?”
“Since this morning, that’s why I need your dad,” he replies and rubs a callused hand over his gray hair.
“Sir, you need to go to the station and report this. My dad isn’t available, and I can’t tell you when he will be.”
“If I go down to the station, everyone is going to be talking about it again, and Aisling doesn’t like everyone knowing our business,” Eugene blurts out. He seems a little upset, but madder about the situation than the fact that his wife is missing. Maybe I’m reading him wrong.
“Again, this has happened before?” I can’t hide my incredulous tone.
“Aisling had a stroke two years ago,” Felix murmurs under his breath.
“She gets confused sometimes,” Eugene defends. “She hasn’t run off.”
I look over at Gray, and he gives me wide eyes as if he’s saying,Maybe she did run off.
“Can you help until your dad gets back?” Eugene questions as if this entire thing is exhausting, which I’m sure it is, but I feel like I would be a hell of a lot more concerned. He’s acting more aggravated than anything, but it sounds like this is something he’s dealt with before.
“We should get the HCPD involved,” I tell him. I’m supposed to be lying low, not taking on another case off the books.
“I doubt she even got far from the house. Your dad always handles it himself,” Eugene says, and it sounds like both a plea and an insult, or maybe I’m just feeling bad because I want to tell him no.
“She doesn’t work for the HCPD,” Remy replies with a little bite in his tone, so maybe I’m not imagining the attitude.
“I know, but she’s smart like her dad. He told me,” Eugene argues.
“I’ll take a look around, but if we don’t find her pretty damn quickly, I’ll notify the HCPD myself.” I cross my arms over my chest.
“Or you could talk to your dad,” Eugene counters. “He’ll tell you he’s helped before.”
“I’ll take care of the table,” Remy inserts, giving Eugene a dirty parting look as he stalks past the man. I’m not even sure if Eugene notices though, he seems to be intent on staring at me.
“You think she’s near your house?” I question. Remy already knew I was going to help, which is why he went back inside to clear the bill.
