“I was tryin’ not to make it uncomfortable for you.”
Trey could’ve said a few things. He could’ve lied and said he wasn’t uncomfortable. He could’ve told Magnus his feelings weren’t important, so it didn’t matter. Or he could’ve told him that he was enjoying the time he got to spend with him, even if it wasn’t ideal.
Trey said none of those things.
“Name a place Ava likes to go. A store, a favorite coffee shop.”
“Truth is, I don’t know what Ava does anymore. After getting fired from the grocery store, she started looking for another job. Based on what she told me, Harrison sabotaged her at every turn.”
“He didn’t want her to work?”
“A politician’s wife doesn’t work,” Magnus said in a tone that mimicked a female voice. Ava’s maybe? “That’s what she told me he said. I know she wanted to get out of the house, but he rarely let her. All I know is she would complain that he was there everywhere she turned.”
“That tracks. That’s what the grocery store manager said.”
“But he would never come to my place,” Magnus explained, “although I figure he knew when she was there.”
It was an opening, Trey knew. “You said the last time she came by was New Year’s. You sure about that?”
Magnus was quiet for a moment as though he was thinking.
Because he didn’t have a destination, Trey decided to head to a fast-food restaurant so they could grab a bite. He was starving since he’d skipped lunch, and he was starting to feel light-headed, which was a sign his body needed food.
“No, I haven’t seen her since,” Magnus finally said.
“What?”
“That was the last time Ava came by. The night you met her. She stayed the night, slept in my bed while I occupied the bunk room. I didn’t get a chance to talk to her the next morning, though, because I woke up late. She was gone by the time I was finished with the morning chores.”
“If she doesn’t have a car, how does she get where she needs to go?”
“Rideshare. Lyft, Uber.”
Right.
“So your relationship with her is purely platonic?” Trey heard himself say.
Magnus chuckled. “Up to this point, yeah.”
“What’s funny?”
“I’m just curious whether you’re askin’ because it’ll help us find her or because you have a personal agenda.”
“Taco Cabana or Whataburger?” Trey asked, deflecting.
“What?”
“Dinner. What’re you hungry for?”
“Taco Cabana’s fine.”
“Perfect.” Trey continued when the light turned green, pulled into the parking lot.
He managed to avoid more conversation until after they’d gone inside the restaurant, placed their order at the counter. He paid because it seemed the right thing to do. Not because he was trying to be gentlemanly. Hell no. He was merely trying to be nice after all Magnus had been through already.
After self-serving the drinks, Trey found a high-top table near the windows, sat, and waited for Magnus to join him. He did a couple of minutes later, carrying a basket of chips and a bowl of salsa.
Trey meant to ask about Ava, to keep their interactions solely focused on the case, so he was only a bit mortified by what came out of his mouth next.
