Page 49 of Is Anyone Listening?
His gaze flickered. "What are you talking about?"
"According to the man who found Jessica's boat, he also found a diamond ring; that sounds like a wedding ring."
"That wasn't in the police report."
"Finn said his friend Nathan kept the ring to sell. He didn't tell anyone he'd found it."
"Except Finn."
"And Tessa, too. I guess Nathan likes to boast, especially to pretty girls, and it came out when he took Finn and Tessa to see where he'd found Jessica's boat. I wondered why she'd have her ring if she was divorced."
"I don't know," he muttered, a frown creasing his lips. "Did Nathan sell the ring?"
"I don't think so. Finn said he told the sheriff about it this morning, but he wasn't interested in pursuing it. He also thought Nathan was a liar."
"I need to talk to Nathan. If he lied about the ring, what else did he lie about?"
"I don't know. I'm hoping Tessa will be able to tell me more when her head is a little clearer. I think there's a chance Nathan drugged her."
"Why would you say that?"
"Because of the condition she was in. Finn told me Nathan started to panic when he realized how much he'd told Tessa, especially after Tessa told him about our podcast. Finn said he left them alone on deck when he went to make a call, and that Tessa was unusually sleepy when he got back. He thought it was just the sun and the alcohol."
"Do you think Nathan put something in her drink?"
"Yes, so she wouldn't remember their conversation. And it worked. She said the day is hazy."
"I'm going to drive to Cork Harbor and talk to Nathan," Tyler said decisively as he got to his feet.
"Wait. Let me see if Tessa is awake. If she's not, I'll come with you. I want to talk to Nathan, too."
"Okay."
He waited as I called Tessa. Her phone went to voicemail, so she must have turned it off while she slept. I left her a quick message and then followed Tyler out the door. "Should we take two cars?"
"Let's take one. I'll bring you back when we're done, since it will be on your way to see Tessa later."
"Okay." As I got into Tyler's car, I felt good about taking a proactive step forward. I wanted to hear from Nathan exactly what had happened yesterday, because I wasn't sure I trusted Finn's version. Not that I could necessarily count on Nathan to tell me the truth, but at least I could hear what he had to say and decide for myself.
Cork Harbor was about forty-five minutes north of Stonecross, and as Tyler merged onto the coastal highway, I settled back into my seat, watching the ocean appear and disappear through breaks in the trees. The silence between us felt comfortable, which surprised me. I barely knew this man, yet here I was, on my way to confront someone who might have drugged my best friend.
"How did you get into architecture?" I asked, partly because I was curious and partly because the quiet was making me tense.
"I always loved houses. Even as a kid, I'd draw floor plans, imagine what it would be like to design a home."
"That's sweet. Did your parents encourage your dreams?"
His jaw tightened slightly. "My parents died when I was twelve."
"I'm sorry. How did that happen?"
"House fire. My brother and I were at summer camp."
"Oh my God. I'm so sorry." The words felt inadequate, but what else could I say?
"Marcus was only eight when it happened. We went into foster care after that." He changed lanes to pass a slow-moving truck. "We managed to stay together most of the time, but there were a few years when we got separated. Those were the worst."
I thought about what that must have been like—losing your parents, losing the only family you had left, being completely alone. "When did you get back together?"
