Page 28 of You Can Leave Your Hat On

“Me too. At least we have a little better picture of who Hazel was, and I’m not impressed.”

She could hear Aaron snort on the other end of the phone. “Based on what you’ve just said, I’m not either.”

“I just know one thing for sure. I’m putting the hat back on tonight.”

“Okay. I can roll with that. Just be careful coming home.”

“Will do. Oh, and the younger of them told me the baby would be a boy.”

There was silence for a few seconds before Aaron asked, “You’re pregnant?”

“No! I told her I’m not pregnant and she just said, ‘Not now.’ But apparently… I don’t want to think about it anymore. I’ll be home in a little while.”

“That’s weird, but okay. See you when you get home.”

“Bye, babe.”

“Bye, beautiful girl.”

Maisey drove along, deep in thought. That had been the strangest encounter she’d ever experienced, and she’d had hershare of strange encounters. What would that evening bring? She’d know soon enough.

Before she could get all the way back to town, Aaron had sent her a text.

Come straight to the office.

She pulled up in front of the sheriff’s office to find his cruiser sitting there, so she hopped out and powered inside. “Hey, Maisey!” one of the guys yelled.

“Hey! Aaron back there?” she asked, breezing through the outer office toward the back.

“Yep.”

“Hey, doll,” Aaron called out just as she stepped into his office.

“What’s up?”

“I’m about to make a video call. We are. You’re sitting in on it.”

“Okay. Who are we calling?”

“Alan Vanderboegh’s ex-wife, Marsha Chester.”

“Oh, she’s remarried?”

“Yep. The ButlerCounty sheriff handed her information right over to Carly. I was going to try to contact the kid, but I think I’d rather start with the parent. He said he’d tell her to expect our call.” Aaron pulled the paper closer, started tapping on his keyboard, and said, “Here we go.”

The funny sound started and it was answered by a woman who looked like she was talking into her cellphone’s screen. “Hello?”

“Mrs.Chester? This is Deputy Sheriff Aaron Friedman from the Whitley County Sheriff’s Office in Williamsburg, Kentucky. Is this a good time for you?”

“Yes! Oh, god, please tell me you’ve found Alan!”

Maisey knew Aaron could feel her looking at him. “Uh, no. Is he missing?”

“Yes! Please! We need to find him!”

“Mrs.Chester, my wife is here with me. She’s a social worker for the state. Is it okay if I include her in the call?”

“Of course!”

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