‘I’m sorry, Aunt Shannon. I wasn’t thinking...’
‘I worry,’ she said. ‘So easily now. I get these spikes of anxiety in my chest and once they’re dug in there, they’re real hard to get rid of.’ She touched a hand to his cheek, but didn’t let it stay there long. ‘And shouldn’t Wiley be taking care of things at home instead of out playing pool with—’
‘It’s escaping home that Wiley’s interested in,’ said Seth.
‘Not to mention he has an investigation to run.’
‘Wiley is no investigation-runner,’ said Seth. ‘He’ll never be anything more than a sidekick. And he knows it.’
He pushed the fifty closer to Shannon.
‘And why are you paying for Clyde’s drinks, anyway, big shot?’ said Shannon.
‘Out of pity,’ said Seth. ‘But Clyde doesn’t mind pity. He is unconcerned with the emotion behind a gesture. A fresh drink materializes before his swimming eyes? Well, that’s as pure a gesture as anything, far as he’s concerned – a single, welcome moment that doesn’t need to be weighed down by history or motive or rationale. A beer’s a beer.’
‘A beer’s a beer,’ said Shannon. She put a bottle of Bud down in front of him. ‘How did the search go today?’
She poured a whiskey for Clyde.
‘Well, no one found anything,’ said Seth. ‘But you get the sense they put the volunteers in places where they don’t really think they’re going to find anything, so they won’t screw up the evidence.’
‘Probably,’ said Shannon.
‘And I got nothing out of Wiley afterward,’ said Seth. ‘Even when he was wasted. I tried to pump him for information, but nothing.’
‘You shouldn’t be showing so much interest,’ said Shannon. ‘You know that doesn’t look good.’
‘I’ve got nothing to worry about,’ said Seth. He paused. ‘Then again, how many times did I hear that in prison?’
The door opened wide, and their heads jerked toward it.
Seth’s eyes lit up. He turned back to Shannon. ‘Introducing the future Mrs Seth Fuller...’
17
Well, isn’t The Crow Bar a charming and battered little place? And why is Seth Fuller staring at me?
Seth nodded at Ren, then walked over to the pool table with a look that told her he would like to appear mysterious.
I would eat you alive.
Ren went to the bar. ‘Shannon Fuller? I’m Ren Bryce, I’m with the FBI—’
Shannon nodded. ‘Hi. Is there any word on Caleb?’
‘No,’ said Ren. ‘Not yet. Would you mind if we talked here? I just have a couple of things I’d like to ask you.’
Shannon frowned. ‘You work late. Sure – take a seat. Can I get you a drink?’
‘A Coke would be great, thank you.’
Caffeine... after 11 p.m. Great.
There were four customers across three tables in the bar, and two guys playing pool, one of whom was Seth. Ren looked out the window to the lake.
Nothing like a bright moon sparkling on black water.
This is where her son drowned. How does she come here every day?
Shannon set down the Coke.
‘Thank you,’ said Ren. She took a long drink. ‘I was very sorry to hear that you lost your son.’
Shannon nodded. ‘Thanks.’
‘I can’t imagine the pain you’re going through. To lose a child...’
‘It’s hard to know what to say, isn’t it?’ said Shannon. ‘There’s nothing worse. I’m just here to pay the bills. That’s it. I feel that’s all I’ll be doing for the rest of my life. Showing up to pay the bills.’
‘I wish I didn’t have to bother you at a time like this,’ said Ren, ‘but—’
‘It’s OK,’ said Shannon. ‘Anything I can do...’ She looked down at the floor. ‘I’m sorry I didn’t help with the search today—’
‘Please,’ said Ren, ‘no one would have expected you to. And there were plenty of volunteers.’
Shannon looked at her, her eyes filling with tears. ‘I couldn’t bear the idea that I might find his body. I couldn’t bear it. I’m hoping to God he’s alive, obviously – that goes without saying, I hope – but if he isn’t... I...’ She shook her head.
I wonder were you the one who found your son’s body.
‘OK... shoot,’ said Shannon. ‘Ask me anything.’ She tried to smile.
‘You bought this place off John Veir,’ said Ren.
Shannon nodded. ‘Yes.’
‘What can you tell me about John?’ said Ren. ‘What kind of man is he?’
Shannon briefly glanced away. ‘He’s a good guy. It was a quick sale, he wanted to offload the place, but he was kind enough to fix a lot of things up before I took it on. He’s a trained military diver, so he did a lot of the underwater work on the jetty. Basically, anything I had an issue with, he took care of. He didn’t have to do that.’
Ren nodded. ‘Did you get to know his family?’
‘Um... no, not really,’ said Shannon.
Ooh... what was that?
‘Did you ever see anything that gave you cause for concern?’ said Ren.
‘With John? No – not at all,’ said Shannon. ‘Why do you ask? You don’t think he had anything to do with Caleb’s disappearance...’
‘Just information-gathering,’ said Ren.
‘OK,’ said Shannon, ‘because John Veir is a good man.’
‘I just realized,’ said Ren, ‘your son, Aaron, and Caleb were around the same age. Did they know each other?’
‘Well, they went to the same school – Aaron was a year behind Caleb, but I don’t think they knew each other.’
What is this weird vibe?
‘Can I ask you about your nephew, Seth?’ said Ren. ‘He was in BRCI. Did he and John know each other?’
‘Yes.’ Eye-dart.
‘Was there ever any issue between them?’ said Ren.
‘No,’ said Shannon. ‘Not that I know of, anyway. Seth would have said.’
‘We’ve been told that Seth took a particular interest in Caleb Veir,’ said Ren.
‘What? Caleb?’
Genuine shock.
‘That sounds terrible,’ said Shannon. ‘“Particular interest” – what do you mean by that?’
‘We heard that Seth might buy him a soda, or pay for things for him at the store,’ said Ren. ‘Do you know anything about that?’
‘No,’ said Shannon. ‘Why don’t you ask him yourself, though? He’s right over there. Don’t waste your time looking at Seth for this. He’s just a nice guy. When he’s got money, he likes to look after people – that’s all. Tonight, he’s paying for Clyde Brimmer’s drinks.’
Ren handed Shannon her card. ‘If you think of anything, please feel free to call me.’
Ren turned her attention to Seth, walked over to him.
‘Seth Fuller?’ she said. ‘I’m Ren Bryce, I’m with the FBI, working on the Caleb Veir disappearance. Could I talk to you for a moment, please?’
She tilted her head toward a table in the corner.
You have now recognized me from the search. And you are not a happy man.
Seth walked over to the table, sat down opposite her, and pulled his stool back a few inches.
‘What can I do you for?’ he said. He looked up at the clock on the wall. ‘Isn’t it a little late to be working?’
‘Not when a child is missing,’ said Ren.
He nodded. ‘I suppose so.’
‘How well did you know Caleb Veir?’ said Ren.
‘Not very well,’ said Seth. ‘Why?’
‘Are you sure about that?’ said Ren.