Page 22 of Missing White Woman

“Was Ty with you?”

I didn’t like her using his nickname. I shook my head. “He’s been up here all week.”

“At the Airbnb?”

I shook again. “He came up early for work. Was staying at a hotel closer to work until I got here. He checked into the Airbnb Friday morning.”

“What about the next day?”

“I didn’t see her, but I wasn’t exactly looking for someone casing the place.”

“I meant what did you do? You’re obviously from out of town. This your first time in the tristate area?”

Oh. “Went to New York.”

“PATH or ferry?”

“PATH.”

“I’m a bridge and ferry girl myself. I hate going underground. As a kid, I saw this movie with Sylvester Stallone. Guy who played Rocky. They’re trapped in a tunnel and water’s seeping in. I mean, Sly saves the day and all, but still. It was touch and go for a minute. I have avoided tunnels ever since. But we’re all scared of something, right? What about you?”

Just one thing. Cops. I didn’t say that, though, or anything, not wanting to prolong the small-talk phase like this was some date. I already knew I never wanted to see her again.

There was a knock. Detective Randle was back. He took a step inside, then stopped as if he’d hit some invisible force field. It was a good thing Calloway was already on her way to meet him. Their conversation was short and too soft for me to make out what they said.

After a minute, Randle left again, and Calloway was back, sitting down.

“You reach Ty?” I said. Anxious.

“Not yet. You go into the city yesterday too?”

“We just hung out in the house.” But I was distracted when I said it. Where can he be?

“This must be a new relationship. I’ve been married fifteen years. To me a vacation is not spending time with my husband. He’d say the same. Something for you both to look forward to.”

She casually grabbed her phone with both hands, manicured thumbs ready for action. Finally done with trying to butter me up. I braced myself, but my body still felt like jelly.

“How’d you sleep last night?” she said.

“Fine.” I couldn’t remember if it was even true, but it sounded good.

“Must’ve been a nice bed. I need a new mattress. What time you go to bed?”

I racked my brain, trying to remember. But suddenly the last twelve hours were a blur. “Midnight. Maybe a little before.”

“So you were down for the count until…”

“Ten-ish.”

“Wow. Must be nice.”

It was, when you didn’t find a dead body when you woke up. I flashed on the woman again in bits and pieces. I didn’t realize Calloway was still playing good cop until she gently placed her hand on mine. I jumped at the sudden human contact.

“You okay?” she said.

I slid my hand away. “Yep. What did you say?”

“I asked if you normally sleep that late?”

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