Page 82 of Nash Falls
“Trying to find my daughter!” he called back, rubbing his shoulder.
She walked down the hall, looked at him, and deduced what he had attempted. Then she took a bobby pin from the top ledge of the door frame. She inserted one end in the door lock and pushed hard.
They heard a click. She turned the knob and opened the door.
“Voilà,” she said, smiling stupidly. “I used that when she was a kid and wouldn’t let me in to change her clothes or make her take a bath—while you were out globe-trotting.”
An agitated Nash pushed past her and into Maggie’s room. He looked everywhere, but it was evident that his daughter was not there.
Judith came in and sat on the bed. “She probably slipped out when I wasn’t looking.”
“Her car’s in the garage.”
“So she went out with friends. It’s no big deal. She’s a grown woman. When I was in college my parents wouldn’t hear from me for weeks.”
“Yeah, well, it’s different when you live in your parents’ home.” He stopped and looked down at the floor.
“What? Did you find a condom?” she asked jokingly.
He stooped and picked up one of Maggie’s purses, and pulled out her wallet. “Money and credit cards.”
“She has Apple Pay,” said Judith.
“No, she doesn’t, not without this.” He pulled out her phone from the purse.
Now Judith looked concerned. “That’s not like Maggie to leave her phone.”
“I can’t access it. She’s got the facial recognition thing. Look, when was the last time you actually saw Maggie?”
Judith had grown instantly serious. “I… um, last night.”
“What time?”
“Around… midnight.”
“Why so late?”
“She… she came downstairs and we talked.”
“About what?”
“Nothing important.”
“How about before that? Did you two eat dinner together?”
“I… uh, no we didn’t. She was up in her room. She might have made herself dinner. I… was in my room all last night.”
“But you just said she came downstairs and talked to you.”
Judith set her drink down on the nightstand and sat rigidly. “That’s… that’s right. I… came down to get some tea. I couldn’t sleep. She must have heard me.”
“And then what?”
“I assumed she went back to her room.”
“And you really haven’t seen her all day?” he said in disbelief.
“No. I mean.” She stopped and looked guiltily at him. “I wasn’t feeling great. I just chilled out today.”
