Page 39 of Hard Evidence
“One of these would look amazing in your hallway,” she said.
“Shadow would love it.One time, she showed up with a live goldfish.”
“Uh, what?”
“Yeah, that was my reaction as well.”
“Where did she get it?”
“I never did work that out.”
“So what did you do with it?”
“I put it in a jug of water and asked around at work.One of Lois’s kids has a tank in his bedroom, and he took it off my hands.”
Finally, the woman at the counter made a decision and left.The grey-haired guy raised his gaze to the ceiling and muttered something before greeting them.
“How can I help you folks?”
Justin stepped forward.“We’re looking for Brett, but I guess he’s not working today?”
“He ain’t working, period.He quit.But if it’s koi you want, I can tell you everything you need to know.”
The guy’s name tag said “Abe,” so presumably he was the owner.
“It’s actually more of a personal matter.”
“He owe you money?”
“Why do you ask that?”
“Well, he never seemed to have any, and he took off real sudden-like.”
Justin’s ears pricked up.“Really?When did he go?”
“He didn’t show up on Monday, and when I called him, he said he had to leave town for a while.”
Well, shit.He’d left around the same time as Amie?What did that mean?
“So you spoke with him?”
“He didn’t answer, but then he left a voicemail while I was cleaning out the big koi tank.Probably planned it that way—he knows I’m always up to my armpits in water on Monday mornings.”
“You have his contact number?”
“If he doesn’t owe you money, I wouldn’t bother.”
“The thing is, I’m in a similar situation.His girlfriend—ex-girlfriend, I’m not sure—works for me.She didn’t show up for work today.”
“The pretty brown-haired girl?Annie?Andie?”
“Amie.”
“Yeah, I met her a time or two.Damned if I know why she’d want to date a bum like Brett.If you get ahold of him, tell him not to bother coming back.”
They left with Brett’s cell number and last known address.As soon as they were in the car, Justin tried calling, but voicemail picked up.He left a message explaining who he was and asked Brett to call him, although he didn’t hold out much hope.Best-case scenario, Brett was a regular asshole.Worst-case scenario, he was somehow involved in Amie’s disappearance, and he sure wouldn’t be calling Justin to chat about it.
“I’m starting to feel as if we should report this,” he said, half to himself.
