Page 119 of Gunner

Ben didn’t come home last night, and I wasn’t the only one who noticed. Even after I took him for his run, Zeus whined and wasn’t his usual playful self. He might have enjoyed his time at the clubhouse, but he was happiest at the end of the day when his daddy picked him up.

By noon, he’d taken up to howling, driving everyone nuts, so only a few bikers lingered. Not even Chris was able to calm him down. He would go from resting his head in my lap to trotting over to the door to look out, and I knew he was waiting for Ben.

Zeus’s antics only made the knot in my stomach worse. Ben had messaged me yesterday that he wouldn’t be able to collect Zeus after all, but he hadn’t answered my subsequent texts or calls.

Was he still upset with me, or was there more? Last night I’d taken his absence to mean he didn’t want to see me again so soon, but I was having second thoughts. Ben wouldn’t have lethis feelings toward me stop him from picking up Zeus. Either he was out of town, or something had happened to him.

“Come here, boy.” I called Zeus over. “Sit.” He scooted closer to me and rested his chin on my knee. I stroked his head. “I’m sure your daddy’s fine, but you have to stay here so I can find him, okay?”

If he wouldn’t call me, I would go to him.

I punched in the number for the police station. An automated voice came on with a list of options. I selected the one that seemed most appropriate and waited for a human to come on the line.

“Good afternoon. How may I help you?”

“I’d like to talk to Chief Witter.”

“I’m sorry, but Chief Witter is not in office. Is there anyone else to whom I can transfer you to? Assistant Chief Thoms is in charge until Chief Witter makes a full recovery.”

Full recovery?

“What happened to him? He was fine yesterday.”

“Umm, I’m sorry, sir, I didn’t get your name, and why did you want to speak to Chief Witter?”

I hung up. As soon as I stated my name, they would end the call anyway. And even if my name got through to him, Ben might not accept the call.

Recovery?

My breathing quickened. He was hurt. Of course that was the reason he hadn’t picked up Zeus last night.

As if sensing my anxiety, Zeus raised his head and licked my palm with his coarse tongue.

“I’m sure he’s fine, boy.” But the words didn’t reassure me. I dialed Jamie’s number. If he was at work, he might not answer. Then I would have to call the hospital to find out if Ben was there. He hadn’t been home last night, and if he was injured, it made sense he would be at a hospital.

“Hey, Gunner,” Jamie replied, sounding breathless. “What’s up?”

“It’s about Witter. When was the last time you heard from him?”

“Uncle Ben?”

“Yes.”

I heard whispering but not the words.

“Jamie, are you there?” I asked. “I have his dog. He didn’t show up for him last night.”

“You’re the one he had a date with two nights ago, aren’t you?”

“Yes.”

“I knew it!” He didn’t sound too concerned, which helped take off some of the edge. He loved Ben. If Ben was seriously injured, Jamie wouldn’t be that giddy.

“Do you know where he is?” I asked.

“Why didn’t you call him?”

“Because we had an argument, and now he’s not answering my calls.”

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