Page 119 of Asher's Assignment
“So, you haven’t seen him at all since he quit? Not even at a party?”
“No. I mean, he used to come to things we invited him to, but after he quit, it was like he just disappeared.”
Asher scribbled another note, asking Stroud to text the man a picture of Lennox.
Stroud nodded. “Mr. Oliver, is the number I called you on for a cellphone?”
“Yes.”
“I’m going to text you a picture. I’d like it if you could confirm if it’s your friend, Barry.”
“All right.”
The detective picked up his cell and snapped a picture of Lennox from what they’d pulled from Vanessa’s social media. He attached it to a message and hit send.
“Okay, I sent it.”
“Hang on.” Rustling came over the line, then a few moments later, “Yeah, that’s him.”
“He’s the man you sold the car to?”
“Yes.”
“Tell me more about him. What did he do for the company you both worked for? Do you know where he lives?”
“It was just basic construction, man. And I don’t know where he lives. What does this have to do with Vanessa’s car? Wait, did something happen to Barry?”
“He’s fine, as far as I know. Do you have contact information for your friend?”
“I did, but the number doesn’t work anymore. I told you, he disappeared.”
“Okay. If you hear from him, would you call me? I need to speak to him.”
“Um, sure?”
“Great, thank you.” Stroud hung up before Tyson could ask more questions.
“Well, at least we know how he got Miss Burnwell’s car and why it’s still registered to her. He never bothered to go get new registration for it.”
“Probably on purpose,” Edie said.
“Agreed. But the question now is, where did he go?” Stroud tapped his pen on his notepad.
“I think he’s still around here.” Asher propped his ankle atop his knee, wiggling his foot as he thought.
Stroud frowned. “What makes you say that?”
“It sounds like he planned this. He bought a car no one would think to check on the registration for, he quit his job with little notice, and he changed all of his contact information and completely disappeared from his old life. His plan was to make a new life with Leah and Esther. I don’t think he has a backup.”
“That doesn’t help us figure out where he is, though.” Stroud sighed.
“No. But I don’t think we need to. I think he’ll show up again.” Asher looked at Edie. “We just need to be ready.”
Forty-Nine
“Just go slow. We’re in no rush to get inside.”
Esther ground her teeth together to keep from snapping at Asher. She wasn’t really angry with him. He was trying to be helpful. But she was so tired of everyone treating her like a child. And not even an older child. She’d returned to the infancy stage. All week, no one would let her do anything for herself.
