Christa Weisman [Weisman - Someone Knows Something

Copyright 2019 by Christa Weisman

No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without prior written consent of the author except where permitted by law.

Disclaimer; This book is a work of fiction. All names, places, and incidents are the product of the authors imagination. Any resemblance to an actual person, living or dead, businesses, companies, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

Warning: This book contains adult content and sensitive topics

Editing & Cover Design by Murphy Rae, Indie Solutions by Murphy Rae

Formatting by Elaine York, Allusion Graphics, LLC

This book is dedicated to my husband, Dustin and my dad, George.

Two extraordinary men.

Even better fathers.

First day gone

The shrill ring from the phone on his nightstand disrupted his restless slumber. His eyesight blurred, red and watery as he watched the shadows dance across the ceiling. How long had he been staring above him? Minutes? Hours? Had he even slept at all?

He closed his eyes when he heard it again, and for a moment he feigned being out of the house so he wouldnt have to answer. But then

Lila.

His limbs were numb; it took more strength than he could muster to reach for the cordless phone. Still, he managed, knowing he couldnt ignore it much longer. He cleared his throat.

Hello?

Chief? Her voice was thick with distress. He knew who the caller was before she announced it. He knew everyone in this small town and more about them than he should.

Its Anna Hudson.

He straightened up in bed, looking at his bedside clock. It was nearing noon. He was sweating, his shirt stuck to his torso. He tossed the blanket from his body and sat up to rest his feet on the cold hardwood floor. The coolness jolted him awake. He pressed two fingers against the bridge of his nose; his head was killing him. How can I help you, Mrs. Hudson?

Its the boys, Chief. As if no names were needed, and in this town, they werent. He knew immediately whom she was referring to. The only boys this town seemed to care about, coveting them like their own damn trophies.

J.R. didnt come home last night. The panic was back, only she kept her voice low, as though she was keeping her words from being heard around her.

I called over to the Youngs, she continued. And they said the same about Ethan. They figured he was here with us. I tried Kate but there was no answer.

Kate he knew would most likely be asleep after working her night shift at the hospital. Maybe theyre sleeping and didnt hear the phone?

No, J.R. never stays at Calebs. And besides, he knows better than to stay out... A sound came from the front of the house that caused her to pause. Just a moment, Chief. He heard the clanking of the phone being dropped onto a table and rustling he couldnt make out. He ran a hand down the back of his neck, feeling the dampness of sweat stain his palm. Never mind, she said back into the phone. As I was saying, J.R. knows not to stay out without talking to us first. Or at the very least, leaving a message on the machine for us to hear in the morning.

He stood, feeling the strain in his back as he straightened. Well, what about Grace? Shes bound to know something. Werent they together last night?

She gave an irritable sigh. Of course I called Grace. She hasnt spoken to him since Friday nights game.

He lifted a finger to his bedroom curtain to see the rain coming down in his backyard. The puddles were piling up like stepping stones in the grass. It had been over a week since Washington had seen rain. An oddity for late November. Now, as he watched it come down, he felt the somber embrace of it. That seems strange, wouldnt you say?

Nothing more than a lovers quarrel, she brushed off. You do remember those, dont you, Chief?

The remark stung and she knew it. She drew a shaky breath. Im sorry, Rex. Im not myself this morning.

He ignored her apology. What does your husband say about all of this?

Oh, you know Jameson. He says Im overreacting, that I worry too much. Her tone turned mocking. He says that boys will be boys and that theyre probably passed out somewhere.

A memory flashed in his mind about the time, not so long ago, he had picked the boys up from drinking and taken them home in his patrol car rather than to the station. Jameson had given him the same runaround about boys and their behavior.

But you dont believe that. He doesnt wait for her to answer. He closed the curtain and ran a hand through his cropped sandy blond hair. Its a bit early for a missing persons report, Anna. What is it that you would like me to do?

He heard her sharp intake of breath. If you could just drive around, see if you see them out or even J.R.s car anywhere. She paused. And Rex, I hope you understand that I want this to be as discreet as possible.

His blood boiled at the mention of discretion. Give me an hour, he said through clenched teeth.

Thank you, Chief.

He hung up the phone and stood there a moment, staring off into space. His head was pounding and his heart was pumping so loud he could hear it in his ears. He opened the drawer on his nightstand table and pulled out the dark liquid bottle he kept hidden below a sports magazine. He unscrewed the top and allowed himself one long swig before tossing it back into its place. He dressed silently, careful to steady his fingers on each button. He didnt dare look at himself in the mirror. He couldnt stand the sight of himself. When his shoes were tied and his gun was in place, he took a deep breath, contemplated one more drink, and headed out down the hall.

Her bedroom was on the other end of the house. Hed hated it when she was just a baby, and often had her crib and then a small mattress in his room, but when the pre-teens hit followed by the full force of teenager syndrome, he was grateful for the distance. It was helpful for the nights he came in late from work and she was already asleep or the mornings he got called out early while she still slept. But at times, he felt that living far apart in the same house built an invisible wall between them. Her wing, and his, where neither dared to enter.

He stood at her door a moment. His hand trembled when he knocked. When she didnt answer, he slowly turned the knob. She was fully dressed but lay on her bed with her eyes closed as though she were sleeping. Her Discman sat atop her belly, her toes tapping in beat to the music streaming in her ears. She didnt notice him at first, but when she did her moss green eyes twinkled with annoyance. Mauras eyes.

Its in this position he had found her every day for the last week. Shed left him a note saying she was ill and taking a day from school. A day had become two, which had then turned into a week. Even though she was grounded from after-school activities, he expected her to go to school. Day after day that passed, he became worried, watching the weight and color drain from her as she refused food and only wanted to sleep. He offered to take her to Dr. Parker, but she adamantly refused, telling him it was a girl thing and to leave her alone.

He often wondered how different life would be for his daughter if she had a mother around. Not left with a fuck-up old man like himself who didnt know how to talk to teenage girls.