Chapter Four
Royce
I found nothing at River’s house to indicate Max had ever been there. As I left River’s home, I put on a big show of apologizing for ever doubting him, but deep down, I was convinced he was involved in Max’s disappearance. My show continued as I went to my car, shoulders bowed, trying to give off the vibe of defeat. I got the feeling River bought my act because as I drove away, he gave me a little wave, and his expression was almost pitying.
Once out of sight, I pulled to the side of the road. There was no way I was leaving River’s street without talking to his immediate neighbors. First though, I dialed the station to see if there had been any reported accidents. There hadn’t been. Next, I called Girdy. Besides me, she was the only other person in town Max was close with. I was really hoping when Girdy answered her phone, she’d tell me Max was with her.
Unfortunately, when Girdy answered, her groggy voice made it obvious she’d been asleep. “Hello?” she mumbled.
“Hey, Girdy. It’s Royce.”
“Oh. Hi.” There was obvious confusion in her husky response. “Is everything okay?”
“I’m not sure. Did you by any chance hear from Max this evening?”
“Max? No. He was going over to River’s to sign the papers to surrender the lease.”
Damn.
I sighed. “Apparently, he never showed up at River’s house.”
“What?” She sounded alarmed.
“That’s River’s story anyway,” I muttered.
Girdy was quiet for a few moments. “You don’t believe him?”
“I don’t know.”
“Why don’t you believe him?”
“River’s story doesn’t make sense. He said Maxwell blew off their meeting without even calling to cancel. Max wouldn’t do that. Plus, if he’s not at River’s, he’d be at home. Where else would he go at this hour? He hasn’t called or texted me. I haven’t heard a peep.” I rubbed the back of my neck, frustration eating at me. “Something is wrong. I just know it.”
“Okay. I agree, that sure doesn’t sound Maxwell.” She hesitated. “You don’t think River would do anything to Maxwell, do you?”
“God, I don’t know. If you’d asked me that yesterday, I’d have said no. But something seems off about River. I can’t shake the feeling he’s hiding something.”
“I assume you’ve tried calling Maxwell’s phone?”
“Many times. I just keep getting his voicemail.”
“Gosh.” Girdy sounded flustered. “What should we do?”
“I’m going to talk to River’s neighbors.” I peered out the passenger-side window at the dark homes.
“Now?”
“Yeah.”
“Uhhh… it’s kinda late, Royce. Maybe you should wait until morning.”
I gripped the steering wheel. “I can’t do that. Max is missing, Girdy. Am I just supposed to go home and go to bed?”
“Maybe Max is home waiting for you?”
“No way. He’d wonder where I was, and he’d call me. Plus, I’ve left him several voicemails.” I exhaled. “Something is wrong, Girdy. I can feel it in my bones.”
“I trust your instincts.” She sighed. “But can you really just go knocking on people’s doors at this hour?”
