Page 119 of Muted

“You won’t just be sitting here. You’re the only one she’s been in contact with. She communicates with you the most, and you’re the one who had no doubt from the start that Cliff drove her to feel she had to help him.” I can tell that he knows I’m right, so I relax and look at Chester. “Thoughts?”

Before he does, he asks Miriam, “Do you have her aunt and uncle’s address as well?” When she nods she does, he continues. “Would you be opposed to sharing that with Vance?”

“Normally I’d say no because of privacy things, but I want to find her as well. Give me your number, Vance. I’ll text you their contact information. The only number I have is that baboon’s number,” she says, pointing at Theo.

I snicker at the way his face drops in a deep frown, affronted by her insult, but he keeps his mouth shut. We exchange numbers and I get up to leave.

“I’m going to go home, pack a bag, and then get on the first flight I can. Will you all please keep me updated?” I ask.

I’m shocked when Theo hands me back the keys he took when he first arrived with Chester. “Take my truck. I’ve got a spare set. Just leave it in the lot at the airport and I’ll pick it up.”

Gripping the keys to my chest, I appreciate the way he’s making this easier. “Thank you. I’ll let you know when it’s there and when I fly out. Miriam, please let me know if they call and inform them what the plan is. Hopefully, I’ll get there tonight.”

“Will do, piano man.” Her teasing is growing on me. Waving at them, I leave the apartment to begin my plans for travel. I call my father’s assistant and ask her to book me the earliest flight she can to Florida. I’m tempted to ask for another flight for three adults the next day, but I don’t know where we’re headed.

My phone dings once I’m on the road, and I quickly scan the text.

Theo: I’m starting a group chat. No more side conversations. We can update here.

Chester: Vance, her aunt and uncle called just after you left. They know you’re on the way. Before you ask, they haven’t heard from her either.

Typing out a quick response because I’m driving, I reply the only the thought I have.

Me: We’ll find her.

Chester

The moment Vance left to fly to Florida, I called Vincent at the precinct and let him know what’s going on. Unfortunately, because nothing has happened, she’s simply left, so there isn’t anything we could do at this time.

I was relieved to find out that after our last conversation, he’s had eyes on Arthur Walston, who’s been holed up in his home with no sign of leaving.

After informing him I wanted to come into town that night, he advised I get some sleep and drive out in the morning. It’s about a five-hour drive, and although I wanted to leave right away, Theo convinced me to sleep as well.

We did leave briefly to go pick up dinner and Theo’s car from the airport after Vance texted to say it was there.

Miriam was kind enough to let us stay. Theo took Susu’s bedroom because not only is he larger than me, but I didn’t feel right sleeping in her bed when she’s yet to invite me into it. Miriam made up the couch for me, and I slept fitfully, but managed a few hours.

I’ve been on the road for hours now and answer the phone when Theo calls. My texts have been dinging for over half an hour, but I didn’t want to pull over to read them.

“You hear anything?” I ask as soon as I answer.

“Nothing from her. Susu has gone completely silent. I tried calling again, and for a while her phone was turned back on, but she never answered. It’s been off since early this morning.”

Slamming my palm against my steering wheel, I fight off my growing agitation at her silence.Did I really fuck up so badly that she’s cut off all three of us?

“Damn,” I murmur. “What have you guys been texting? I didn’t want to read while driving.”

He sighs heavily into the phone. “Nothing much. Vance got to her family’s house. He thinks they know something, though. When he first got there last night, they were worried sick, trying to call her repeatedly, but something changed this morning.”

Cocking my head to the side, I’m curious about their change. “What do you think?”

“We both think they spoke to her. I’d bet money that she asked them not to tell us where she went. They did fill him in a bit more on the grandfather. Oh, Elaine and Ronnie Fisher. That’s their names. But it sounds like they very much suspect that Laura, Susu’s mom, didn’t simply go missing. Arthur was beyond furious when his son died. He did everything he could to turn every single person on their whole family. Completely set on destroying all of them. Elaine and Ronnie were barely able to find work in town because of the walls he put up around them.”

“Why the fuck did they stay?” I ask, something niggling at the back of my mind.Fuck! What the fuck am I forgetting?

Another loud sigh. He sounds absolutely exhausted. “I asked the same thing. They don’t have a lot of money, but they own their home without a mortgage. They couldn’t afford to go anywhere.”

Nodding even though he can’t see me, I flip on my signal to take the exit for the police station. I’m almost there and Vincent knows what time I’m arriving. “I suppose that makes sense, but anything would have been better than the hell he’s put them all through.”

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