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Joyce squeezed their shoulders. “You all went out with him, right? What the hell happened?”

Ethan wasn’t going to pry, but he knew Joyce wasn't going to let it go until she had more information, and for once, he was glad for her persistence.

Paul stared at a spot on the carpet. “Yeah…we were with him the night it happened.”

Joyce let out a dramatic gasp, and all three of them jumped and looked at her. “Holy Jesus, what happened? Was it drugs? Did Jake owe someone money?” Joyce asked rapidly, her face lighting up with the promise of more information. She could tell that she had sounded a little too enthusiastic, and quickly corrected herself before prying further.

Subtle as always, Joyce.

Michael jumped in, finishing the thought. “But we didn't see anything that happened. We had one drink with him and left him at the bar,” he said, his face darkening. “He tried to get us to stay, but…” his voice trailed off, and it looked like he might tear up.

Geez, maybe they really were friends.

“Ugh, you poor things,” Joyce consoled, her brow furrowing, sending deep lines crinkling across her forehead.

Paul's voice came out strained as he recalled the night. “We talked to the cops and overheard them talking to the bartender. They even reviewed security footage. Apparently, Jake met a woman there and left with her. That’s the last time anyone saw him.”

Joyce’s eyes beamed, and even Ethan perked up in his seat.

“A woman? Do they have a description from the footage?” Ethan asked.

Michael and Paul looked at each other and shook their heads. “That’s the thing. All the footage was corrupted. Some kind of malfunction,” Michael said.

Paul’s brow furrowed. “They said it looked like water or moisture or something like that had gotten inside the camera lens. The whole night’s worth of tape wasn’t usable.”

Ethan gnawed at his cheek as the four of them sat in the silence. This entire conversation was uncomfortable. Death was uncomfortable. He just wanted it to be over, and that only made him feel guiltier and more selfish.

“Anyway,” Paul said, straightening up. “We’re here for you all if you need anything. I know things were…weird. But—” He paused and looked at the door, turning back, his voice low. “Jake was a dick. We all knew that, but nobody deserves to go out like…that”

Michael nodded in agreement. “Nobody.”

Joyce smiled and gave a final squeeze of their shoulders before making her way back to her desk.

Forcing a wan smile, Ethan turned back to his computer, attempting to push the all-too-familiar feelings of dread from his mind.

Morning bled into the afternoon, and Ethan couldn't focus on anything he needed to. His gaze darted to Jake’s office door, and his chest tightened when he thought about what they would do with it.

Probably boxes. Lots of boxes. Packed away.

Michael and Paul had already left for the day, but he was glad. As much as he didn't like them, he could tell they were messed up with the guilt. He understood that feeling.

Ethan had been staring at his computer screen for the past half hour, the same email sitting unopened, his cursor blinking back at him. He didn't even hear the heavy footfall or the scattering of people in the hallway before realizing Preston was standing right in front of him.

Joyce’s voice cut through his mind’s haze. “Oh, uh, afternoon, Mr. Willows,” Joyce said, frantically straightening the chaos of her desk.

Preston’s gaze moved across the room, a strange blankness to him, like he was wondering why everyone looked so grim. Ethan swallowed hard, hoping it wouldn’t have to be them who told him about Jake. Surely he would know by now, right?

Joyce broke the awkward silence, ripping off the potential band-aid of the conversation.

Thank God.

“We’re all just so devastated about Jake, Mr. Willows. I know you two were good friends.”

Something flickered across his face, but was gone just as quickly. “Right. Yeah.” He shrugged his shoulders softly. “Heard about that this morning. Shame.” His voice was hollow, as if he were just discussing the shitty traffic on I-5. “Accidents happen out on the Bay all the time. People forget how dangerous it is out there.”

Ethan strained to keep his face neutral as his gaze darted to Joyce.

That’s it? That’s your reaction?