Chapter 9
An hour later Nate was down two staff members who were so upset after receiving the news of their upcoming redundancy that they had to go home. Samantha was teary but did her best to concentrate on work. With two small children in school the loss of her income to the family would affect them greatly.
Nate called her into his office late in the afternoon and she slipped in and closed the door behind her.
“How are you doing?” he asked.
“I’m okay. It’s just a shock, you know?”
“I do. I nearly called you on Friday night but then I worried about ruining your weekend.”
“Yeah, there’s no great time to tell someone they’re about to be unemployed.”
“Well, don’t panic yet. The letters will arrive on Wednesday with all the payout figures. You might even feel better about it then. You’ve been here longer than I have.”
“I know, that’s what I’m trying to tell myself. I called my husband and he said the same thing.”
“Us men are fantastic!” He smiled at her, trying to lighten the mood. “Whatever time off you need to go to interviews you know you can have and of course you can use me as a reference.”
“Thanks, Nate. It won’t be the same without all of us working together. Can you get yourself a manager’s job in another bank so we can all come work for you, please?” she laughed and the worry left her face for a moment as she slouched back in her seat.
“See, that humour will get you through this. I am thinking of a change, though.” He put his hands behind his head and watched for her response. “I’m thinking of taking off overseas instead of looking for something right away.”
Her eyes brightened and she sat up straight. “Really? A holiday is a great idea. You never use your leave anyway.”
“That’s what I figured. Thought I might have a nice, long break. Maybe six months or more.”
“Wow! That’s awesome.”
“Maybe. Everyone seems to think it’s awesome but I’m not convinced quite yet.” He dropped his hands and let the smile slip from his face.
“Well convince yourself today and start planning. My sister went overseas for two years right after school and she still talks about it ten years later. My parents almost had to drag her home. If she hadn’t run out of money she tells us she would never have come back.”
“As I said, I’m seriously considering it. Anyway, that’s not why I called you in here. I just wanted to make sure you’re not too upset.”
“Nope. I’ll manage. Did they tell you when our last day would be?”
“I don’t have an exact date but as I said, it’s a six-month period. So, no one is going to the poor house anytime soon. As people leave they plan to send us casual staff from other branches to take up the slack until the end.”
“That’s going to be fun to juggle. I’m glad I don’t have to worry about that part.”
“I’m the lucky one who gets to deal with that, aren’t I?” Nate grinned at her. “My letter gave me the option to leave early but I’ve decided to stay the full six months. I’ll be here until the end.”
Samantha stood up and turned toward the door. “I’m pleased to hear that Nate. There’s going to be one almighty party on our last day!”
***
Despite attempts all day to tell himself he could just forget about Kelly and her silence, Nate found himself outside her house on Monday night after work. Just like on Friday night the house was dark. This time, however, mail and junk catalogues did spill out of the mailbox. He opened the car door and stood looking at the house for a moment.
Is this stalker-ish behaviour? Have I become that guy who can’t take no for an answer? I can’t be him, though—I didn’t get a no.
He pushed the door closed and walked toward the house to check if his note was still wedged in the door.
She probably read it, rolled her eyes and told Nate Black to fuck off under her breath.
No. She didn’t. The note was still there, wedged tightly just where he’d left it.
Damn!
What does that mean? Did she go away somewhere and not tell me since I cancelled by text? He stood there playing over their last night and morning together in his head. The way she’d kissed his chin when he’d left for work, running late for the first time in eight years. The sheet she’d dragged off the bed to hold over her breasts as she waved from his doorway with a smile.
There’s no fucking way she’s not into me. Something has happened to her.
He walked quickly back to the car, reversed down the street and headed in the direction of the local police station. If something had happened to her, someone needed to report it.
***
“Is Edward Owens here?”
The officer glanced at the clock. “His shift starts in ten minutes. Can I help you with something?”
“I think I need to make a report but I’m not sure if I’m overreacting. I’d like to talk to him first, if that’s okay. We’re old friends.”
“No problem,” she said. “I’ll put a note on his desk to come out here when he arrives. Just take a seat.”
“Thanks.”
He sat in the row of chairs against the far wall, chewing his lip as he worried. Thoughts jumbled through his head and soon he wasn’t sure whether he was worried he was overreacting, or worried that she was hurt.
“How’s my favourite tight ass bank manager?” Edward’s words pulled him from his thoughts, his friend grinning from a side door. “Want to come in?” He held the door open and Nate followed him through. At a corner desk Robert sat and indicated Nate could take the vacant seat. “What’s up? Long time no see.”
“I know. It seems like months.” He paused and took a long breath before continuing, “I have a somewhat odd request and I need you to talk me through it.”
“Okay. Shoot.”
“I met this girl.”
“Oh, oh. All the bad stories start like that.” Edward grinned and Nate continued.
“No, we hit it off and we dated three times last week.” Robert nodded and made a note on a sheet of paper in front of him. “On Wednesday night, she stayed over.”
“Uh huh.”
“I left on Thursday and everything was great. Then I got to work and got news of an urgent interstate trip. I texted her to cancel our date on Friday night. It’s now Monday night and I haven’t heard a peep from her. When I call her phone is turned off and goes straight to message bank.”
“She could have blocked you.”
“She could have. I’d be surprised if she has, though. She’s quite straight forward and we parted on excellent terms that morning.”
“You know women, man. They get a bee in their bonnet and—”
“I went to her house when I got home on Friday night. Left a note in the door. I’ve just come from there and the note is still in the door. The junk mail from the weekend hasn’t been cleared. She has this awful yappy dog. No sign of him either.”
“You think something’s happened to her?”
“I have no idea. What do you think? I don’t know whether to report her missing, or take it as a rejection and let it go. I don’t want to sound conceited or anything but I think something must have happened. Our night together was perfect.”
“Perfect.” Edward raised an eyebrow. “Big call.”
Nate blushed but pressed on. “I’m telling you, it’s not normal for her to suddenly disappear.”
“Okay, do you want to lodge a missing person’s report? She’s technically been out of contact for a couple of days, right?”
“That’s right. Can I put in a report? Do I have to be a relative?”
“Nope. Anyone can do a report. How about we fill it out and then I can make a few enquiries. It’s probably nothing. Maybe she’s just pissed with you and taken herself off for the weekend.”
“I hope so. At this point I’ll take total rejection over her being hurt.”
“Okay.” Edward pulled his laptop toward him and opened the lid. “Let’s get the details down and I’ll see what I can find out.”