He blinked rapidly, his tongue darting out to lick his upper lip like a snake. “I’ll be late.”
“Okay.” She rushed across the campus, hoping he couldn’t keep up. Much to her chagrin, he did.
“I’ll come by and pick you up.”
No, you fucking won’t.“I have to go to security after class. Thanks, though. I’ll see you around.”
“Why’re you going to security?”
She smiled sweetly. “Can’t tell—we don’t have that type of relationship, remember? See you.” Kylie walked into the classroom, still feeling the anger radiating from him.
After class, she headed over to the university’s security office. She’d gone immediately after Ricky hadn’t shown up the previous Friday, but the security personnel acted like it was no big deal, as did the Crested Peak Police Department.
“You again?” the older security supervisor said as she walked into the office.
“That’s right. My friend didn’t show up for class, and there’s no way he’d miss the last class before our presentation. Something is wrong, I know it.”
After a half hour of going over all the details and making her plea for help, security said they’d look into it, call his parents, and see if they could find anything out. Kylie pleaded with them to call the police, but they said they didn’t have enough to go on at that point.
“So the fact that Ricky never showed up for his dental appointment, even though he was in pain, his car is still in a parking lot with a slashed tire, and no one has heard from him since Friday afternoon means nothing to you?”
The supervisor narrowed his eyes. “I don’t like your attitude.”
“I’m just trying to figure out what you need that would convince you that my friend is in danger. Maybe his dead body?” With flushed face, pulsing veins in her neck, and hands clenched, she stormed out of the office. Wiping the tears from her cheeks, she headed back to her dorm, dialing Ricky’s number for the hundredth time.Please pick up. Please be okay. Please.No answer, just his voice mail with his familiar, cheerful voice. The message was wrenching, like a punch in her gut.
After splashing cold water on her warm face, she fell into the chair by the window and stared out at the Rocky Mountains. It was a beautiful day and the breeze carried summer on it. Several blue jays and cardinals chirped outside in the large oak tree next to the window, and the steady whir of lawnmowers blended in with their songs. The smell of newly cut grass danced on the breeze and wafted through the open window, and Kylie broke down and sobbed. How could it be so calm and lovely outside when Ricky was missing? It was a distorted slice of life—it should be cold, gray, and miserable.
With tissue in hand, she blew her nose, then called Jerry.
“Hey, babe. Good to hear from you.” His deep, smooth voice caressed her.
“I’m so worried about Ricky. He wasn’t in class this morning.” She sniffled.
“You crying?”
“I know something’s happened to him, and no one will believe me or try to help.” Her voice broke.
“Calm down, okay? Did you talk to the police? Fuck, I wish I was there.”
“I need you to be. Can you come?” His pause was like a crack on her heart. “If you can.”
“I’ll leave in an hour. Don’t do anything stupid like try to find him. Make sure you get the fuckin’ badges involved.”
“They didn’t seem interested when I went to them over the weekend.”
“Go now. They’ll take notice now that he didn’t show up for class and no one’s heard from him. I gotta finish what I’m doing then I’ll take off. I’ll see you in five hours or less.”
“Thanks.” She hung up, a huge weight lifted from her shoulders. Jerry would know what to do. Having him there would make everything much easier. She wiped her eyes with a tissue. Dialing Ricky’s number again, she crossed her fingers then uncrossed them when his voice mail reached her ears.
The door swung open and Taylor walked in with an armload of books. “I’ll be studying for the next week nonstop.” She tossed the books on her bed and shook out her arms. “Hey, what’s wrong? Is Ricky—” She placed her hand over her mouth, her eyes wide.
Shaking her head, Kylie said softly, “God, I hope not. He wasn’t in psych. I’m so fucking worried. You know this isn’t like him. I went to securityagain, and they acted like this is normal. They are such incompetent assholes! I’m going to the police. You wanna come?”
“Sure. Let me brush my hair first.”
“Jerry’s coming up. I don’t know what he can do, but I need him right now.”
Taylor came over and hugged Kylie. “I’m glad he’s coming. This is so hard, and I know out of our group you were the closest to Ricky. Every time I remember that he’s missing, I feel like someone kicked me in the stomach.”
