Page 141 of A Forgotten Mistake

“Thank you,” I tell her as my eyes settle immediately on a name at the very bottom.

“Ryan,” I say.

“What?”

“That’s the name of Christa’s boyfriend… the second one. His name was Ryan.”

“You think he’d kill the girl he was dating?”

“Maybe he never even really cared for her. Maybe from the beginning it was all about manipulating others. It’s hard to tell,” I say. “I think Abby did a lot to see who would protect her. Like I said earlier, I can’t help but believe the guy at the club never did spike her drink, but she wanted to see what I’d do. Maybe she did it herself or maybe she had no idea who did it but wanted someone to take the fall.”

Gabriel shakes his head. “I mean, it’s a possibility. She was likely lying to us every step of the way. Manipulating us.”

“I told you she was a chronic liar.” I hurry out to the car as I call Matthew.

He answers but immediately says, “Michaels told me I have to direct all calls from you to him.”

“I believe I know who Abby’s involved with—a nurse named Ryan Irvin. Get an address on him; I believe Abby could beheading there to collect the tapes before she leaves. My guess is that they were originally at Mitch’s in the vent, and she hid them somewhere after fleeing from his home. Then she, or Ryan, moved them to Ryan’s house since they were aware we could get a warrant to search her apartment.”

“Got it. I’ll call you back as soon as we’ve verified whether or not Ryan is at his residence.”

I try to wait patiently for Matthew’s call, but it takes a dreadfully long time as we sit in the parking lot of the hospital.

“I really could do this so much better,” I declare.

“I’m aware, but you’re not allowed to,” Gabriel says.

“Which is absolutely foolish. They’d still be twiddling their thumbs if the two of us weren’t involved.”

After far too long, Matthew finally calls. “They’ve reported that there is no one at his house. We’re looking into other possible locations.”

“Let me know if you hear anything,” I say before hanging up. Not sure what else to do, I call Lisa, who answers almost immediately. Even if she knows nothing, it’s worth a try.

“Liam? Twice in the same week,” she says.

“You kept a book with addresses, didn’t you? I remember you being super diligent about writing down wherever Abby was going once you realized she was lying to you.”

“Yeah. I did.”

“Do you have an address for one of Abby’s classmates, a Ryan Irvin?”

“Do you realize how long ago that was?”

“Yes, but I know you well enough to know you likely never threw it away and know exactly where that address book is,” I say.

“Let me see. I know I had her friends’ places, but I don’t remember a Ryan. I have Christa’s address. I still can’t believe that poor girl drowned. Ryan… Ryan Irvin… I think that’s thehouse the police called me to. There was a party Abby snuck off to that had alcohol present and since she was underage, they called me to collect her. Thankfully she hadn’t been drinking. That’s why that name sounds so familiar.”

“I don’t remember this at all,” I realize. But it’s really not surprising; I paid little attention to others.

“They let me pick her up from the house… I don’t think I have it written down, but I know it’s that real big house near the park. You know what I’m talking about? Real pretty brick house, three stories. It stands out, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding it.”

“I do. I’ll head there. At the very least, his parents might possibly know where he is. Thank you.”

When I hang up with her, I turn to Gabriel. “Can you look up his parents?”

“Already on it. The house is owned by his mother, who is currently in a care facility for early onset dementia. She’s been divorced from his father for fifteen years, so I doubt he’s at the house.”

“You don’t say.” I put the car in drive and head out of the parking lot.

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