Page 73 of Forbidden Dark Vows

“I was about to call you.” His voice is naturally cautious as if he has spent too much time investigating shady characters and has lost faith in his fellow man. “I have a lead on Melanie. A potential sighting in Hawaii.”

Hawaii?

Before she disappeared, my sister never travelled outside the city unless it was to visit our grandparents and cousins. This doesn’t sit right with me now. I couldn’t overlook Washington State, but I draw the line at Hawaii. It’s almost as if someone doesn’t want me here in New York City, someone perhaps, who can’t afford to settle their invoices.

“I’m calling off the search.”

Pause. “I know we’ve had a few bum leads, but I think we’re closing in on her,” he says, still in that same monotone.

“I’ve changed my mind.” I don’t want his excuses in exchange for the money I transfer into his bank account every month. “Send me your final invoice, and then we’re done.”

“Wait, is that?—”

I cut him off. Ronnie gave me the number for another PI, and I dial it now. It rings and rings, and a woman finally answers as I’m about to hang up.

“Pagan PI.” She has a faint accent, one that I can’t quite place. I ask to speak to Mr. Pagan and am rewarded with a sigh. “You’re speaking to Ms. Pagan. I’m all you’re going to get, so if it’s a man you’re after, maybe try one of the shysters who operate out of Brooklyn.”

I sense the phone being replaced and blurt out, “No, wait. I’m sorry. I need someone to keep an eye on my fiancée in Chicago.”

Pause. “I cut my PI teeth on cheating partners; it’s not something I want to get involved in again.”

“She isn’t cheating on me.” I like this woman already, and I have a feeling that Ruby would like her to. “I think she might be in danger.”

“Okay, now you’re talking.”

My next callis to Ruby’s home.

Celia answers. She and my father might’ve tried intimidating me and Ruby into calling off the engagement, but she doesn’t scare me.

“Ruby isn’t feeling great,” she says when I ask to speak to her.

“What’s wrong? Is she sick? Has she seen a doctor?” I fucking knew I shouldn’t have left her this morning.

“She’s sleeping right now, Harry. I don’t want to disturb her.” Her tone is almost pleasant like she can switch it on and off when it suits her, and I can’t help thinking that my father would’ve met his match in Celia Jackson.

“No, I understand. What did the doctor say?”

“I haven’t called the doctor. It’s just stomach cramps, Ruby always suffers with them. And anyway, she has me to look after her.”

“Will you tell her I called?”

“Sure. Any message?”

“No… Just tell her that I’m worried about her.”

“No need to worry. It’s just Ruby being overdramatic. Luckily she was at home when it happened and not in a strange country where she would’ve had no one to look after her.”

There was no mistaking that this was a dig at me.

“I would’ve looked after her.”

“Hmm, didn’t you cut and run back to New York this morning?”

“I had a meeting I couldn’t get out of.” I can’t even think why I said that, but I do believe that the less Celia Jackson knows about my affairs the better. “Ruby told me it was nothing.”

“And you believed her, of course you did.”

“I’d have stayed if she wanted me to.” I’m disappointed at the pleading tone in my own voice. I shouldn’t have to justify my actions to this woman who has made it quite clear that she doesn’t want me in her daughter’s life. “Please tell her I’ll call again later.”

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