Page 51 of Debt of My Soul

Ford gives me a wave and drives off behind me, the rev of his bike rumbling through the sitting cars. Someday, when I can save enough, I’ll get one. The freedom Ford talks about when he brings up his rides with his brothers is enough to make anyone crave a bike like that.

On the way to the coffee shop, my phone rings and I glance at it, smiling. My mother rarely calls me. It’s mostly my father. But when she does, it’s usually to vent about my sister.

“Hi, Mom.”

“Liam?”

The smile on my face falls immediately at her panicky tone. “Mom, what’s wrong? Is everything all?—”

“Liam, Adam’s missing. He isn’t answering his calls. Each one goes to voicemail. Your father has been out looking for him but hasn’t had any luck. People we’ve talked to say he’s been hanging with some new people, but I don’t know who to ask or what to do. I’m afraid this is your sister all over again?—”

“Mom, Mom. Calm down. How long has it been since you’ve talked to him?” I don’t have the heart to tell her that he’s a grown-ass adult and may have decided to hook up with a girl for a long, extended weekend somewhere.

“Days, Liam.”

I sigh. “All right. I’ll leave right now. Should make it in by evening.”

After hanging up with her, I text Ford to let him know I have to pass on donuts and coffee. Then I speed off north to Ruin.

Sixty percent of the bricks on River and Goff’s sidewalk leading to their front porch are cracked. Counting them is an easy distraction as I wait for River and Goff to get off work.

Both of them have worked since high school, and fortunately for me, Adam still runs in their circles, so I’m banking on them knowing something.

After I returned to my mom’s and had a conversation with her and my dad, Goff’s place was the first stop in my search for my brother.

Car lights flicker as an old Honda pulls into the driveway. It’s Goff’s car, but he has always been willing to pick River up from work since the death of their parents.

I raise my hand in a wave as they both grin at me. Probably because it’s been months since I’ve been home. With training at the academy extending into most weekends, time off isn’t a luxury I have.

They both exit the car and stroll up the sidewalk where I stand.

“Hey, man, what’s going on? Long time no see.” Goff reaches forward for a handshake and I take it, offering a firm pump up and down before sliding my hand back into my pocket.

River eyes me, her brow scrunching. “What’s wrong?”

“Have either of you seen Adam? My mom called me worried because she hadn’t heard from him in a couple of days. I figured I’d check in with y’all first.”

“I haven’t,” River says, her gaze turning to Goff and waiting for his answer.

Goff pales a bit before reaching a hand up and rubbing the back of his head. “Listen, man, I haven’t talked to him, but I did see him a few days ago.” He shuffles on his feet, avoiding my gaze, and I step into him a bit. The front porch lights to their double wide detect my motion and turn on, illuminating the freshly mulched landscaping that surrounds the bricked walkway.

“Goff. Tell me.”

“You’re not going to like it,” he says, and spares a glance at River, who has already narrowed her eyes on him. She looks equally annoyed with her brother and elbows him while tilting her head toward me.

“He was hanging out in Darrin’s spaces when I saw him last. A few of us went to play poker one evening and I saw him at the blackjack table.”

“Darrin?” River asks, crossing her arms over chest and shivering as she says his name. Her eyes veer off, gazing up at the night sky before she scowls and shoves past us aiming for the inside of her house. “Tell him what he needs to find Adam, Goff. Darrin is …” She scoffs, her words trailing off as she swipes at her cheeks. With a turn, the front door slams shut.

Stepping up to Goff farther, I lean my face down, leveling him with a stare and conveying my impatience.

“I’ll make a few calls and send you the address if I hear anything,” Goff says, and I notice his hand tightened into a fist at his side before he unfurls his twitching hand. The signs we’ve learned in training of drug use slowly start to register.

Damn it, Goff. What are you into?

I nod at him, knocking his shoulder with mine as I step around him. Not five minutes later, after I’ve left his house, my phone dings with an address for Darrin’s local gambling joint.

I’ve never been one to bet my money. It’s always too precious of a commodity for me, especially because, unlike my brother, Ichose to move downstate. Never would’ve pegged Adam as the gambling type either. As I drive to the location, I wonder what I’m going to say. Can I say anything?

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