CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
GABE
I park the four-wheel-drive out the front of Shannon’s place and step out.
I decide to try her cell one more, but it’s not even ringing now. She must have turned it off.
I stand there for a moment as a trio of mothers with strollers pass, all heads turned in my direction. I smile back, but I’m thinking of Shannon.
I’m listening to my gut and it’s telling me something’s off here.
The strong sunlight at my back casts a shadow onto the door as I knock.
No answer.
I knock again and press the doorbell for good measure.
Nothing.
It’s close to sunset, past business hours. She should be home by now.
I consider breaking in, maybe swinging around the back for a better look, but her neighbor is watering the garden beside me, humming to himself. Given the soaking he’s giving a single rose bush, it looks like he’s going to be out here for a while.
I come down the steps and walk over to him. “Hi,” I start.
“Hey there,” he smiles. “You looking for Shannon?”
“Yes, sir.”
He points down the street. “I saw her heading down that way earlier.”
“Was she with anyone?”
He shrugs. “Sorry, son. I had to head inside—nature calling and all that. You military?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Navy, right?”
“How’d you guess?”
“Something about the way you walk.”
I’ve heard this one before. “Like I’ve got a stick up my ass?”
He chuckles. “No, son. You walk like you’d rather be running.”
*
I stand against the car wondering what to do. I call Triss.
She answers on the first ring. “Is this a booty call, baby, because I am down.”
“I’m afraid not.”
A pouty moan of disappointment follows. “That’s a shame. We can hang. We don’t have to fuck.”
I get on with it. “You haven’t seen Shannon, have you?”
“Shannon?” she replies. “No, can’t say I have. Is everything okay?”
I debate how much to tell her, but I’ve always been able to count on Triss. She’s been rock solid. “I can’t get hold of her. To be honest, I’m a bit worried. It’s not her just to up and disappear like this.” I think of her animal family. “She’s got responsibilities.”
“Why do you need to see her so bad?”
I choose my words carefully. “I need to sort some stuff out with her, figure which way I’m going to go.”
It’s a lie. I already know I want to be with Shannon.
Triss remains sympathetic. “Well, I’m sure she’s fine, and I get it, Gabe. I do. Maybe after your mom died she just wanted to make a clean cut, get out of here. Shit, if I was in that girl’s shoes that’s what I’d do. I mean, it’s not as if you guys were even that serious, right?”
I never told Triss Mom died. The temptation to press her on this is strong, but I hold back.
My chest starts to tighten.
I’m being played.
Fuck.
I need to work out what’s really happening here, and straight out aggression isn’t going to cut it. I have to be smart. “You know, you’re right. We should get together. Where are you?”
She sees right through it, her hesitation hanging heavy on the line. “Well, shit,” she says, finally, calm as a millpond, “I fucked that up, didn’t I?”
“Triss, where’s Shannon?”
She ignores the question. “I always let shit like that slip. You remember? I’ve never been good at holding my tongue… except when it’s wrapped around your cock, of course.”
I’m sick of holding back. “Triss, where the fuck is Shannon?”
She’s being way too casual about this. It doesn’t bode well.
“Calm down, Navy. There are all kinds in the group, you know—MARSOC, Spetsnaz, SAS… It’s a fucking fruit salad of badassery. You’d love it. I know you would.”
“Triss!”
“Shut it,” she snaps. “Look, if I can forgive you for leaving me to fucking die, the least you can do is forgive me for showing you how much better off you’ll be without that civvie bitch slowing you down. You belong with me, back in your element. I know that takes time, but you better start thinking about it, because this is a limited time offer, baby.”
She hangs up.
I heave the cell against the road in anger. “Fuck!”
The neighbor looks over before hurrying back inside.
Think. Think it out.
I try to call Triss back, but her cell’s been switched off. She’s gone dark.
I scroll through my contacts until my finger lands on Jason.
“’SC,” he answers. “I’ve got a six-pack here and only two hands. You keen?”
“Jase,” I start, “I need your help.”