by Lucy Smoke
A monotone voice announced the end of the message and repeated options for me to either delete, save, or re-listen. I re-listened to the voicemail two more times just to hear the sound of their voices before I finally saved it and put it back in my pocket. I was relieved that they would be coming to the university sooner than planned and that I'd be able to see them, but I had a job to do.
Chapter 7
"So, Harlow, what did you want to see me for?"
Sitting in Professor Brownson's office felt like taking a step into an antique shop. The kind where nothing was ever labeled. The rusted shell-spoon underneath a basket of doilies could be from the 1920s or the 1990s depending on what you or the bored sales lady knew. The table in the corner, piled high with what looked to be stacks and stacks of white and yellowed bits of paper and books that were both dusty and new, looked to be from somewhere in this last decade at least. While the desk, on the other hand, might have once belonged to the original owner of this office.
I blinked and refocused my attention on the mousy-haired woman with wire-rimmed glasses perched on the end of her bird-like nose. "I—um..." Bellamy had asked me to go to both the admissions office and to Erika's advisor and see if they knew anything about her disappearance. Well, not her disappearance per se, but whether or not she had mentioned Josh at all, and if they knew whether or not she planned to leave before the Fall semester. My trip to the admissions office had already been a bust. They hadn't even let me past the front counter to see any of the admissions counselors. I would have to play this carefully to avoid any further mishaps.
I straightened my spine and flashed Professor Brownson a smile that I hoped covered my nervousness. "Well, um, Professor, I came to Lander because my best friend came here." Truth. "And I wanted to follow in her footsteps." Another truth; I was technically trying to follow in her footsteps—specifically the ones that would lead me to find her. "Right now, I'm undecided on a major, just taking the electives and common core classes required of a four-year degree. But I know you were her advisor. I was wondering if you could give me some information on her major—Business Management, right?"
Professor Brownson leaned forward, narrowing her dark eyes at me. "Young lady, I'm sure you think following a friend is a good choice, but I can assure you that, like romantic relationships, friendships can fall apart too. If you're looking into Business Management simply because your friend—Erika, you said—was heading in that direction before she decided to take a break, then I suggest you take more time to think about it. You only get one chance at being young. You should spend it doing something you want to do, and not something you think you should do."
My mind reeled. Less than five minutes in and I had already uncovered something big. "I'm sorry," I said. "Did you say Erika is taking a break?"
Professor Brownson frowned. "Yes, she informed me and the university that she would be taking a short-term break before returning to finish her degree. I can't elaborate on why—I keep my students' private lives confidential. If you're her friend, though, you should be able to contact her."
I opened my mouth before noticing the suspicious glint in Professor Brownson's eyes. Smiling, I quickly took a breath and stood up. "You're right," I said. "I'll call her and see if she needs any help. We haven't talked much since I moved into the dorm. Starting college is a real culture shock." I shrugged and then politely excused myself from her office, nearly running head first into another student as they approached the door.
The young man in cargo shorts and a light blue t-shirt skirted past me into Professor Brownson's office with a messenger bag slung over one shoulder and a stack of papers in his arms. I barely spared him a glance as I made my way to the stairwell and headed down to the first floor.
Once I was sure I was out of hearing distance of the office, I took my phone out and dialed Bellamy. It went straight to voicemail. I frowned and dialed Knix's phone number, receiving the same. What the hell? This time I dialed Marv, hoping that at least he would pick up. Unfortunately, he too went to voicemail. What was going on?! Then my phone buzzed in my hand.
Marv: In class, what's wrong? Do I need to come to you?
I sighed in relief and typed out a quick reply. At least he had responded in some way.
Harlow: Just got out of Erika's advisor's office. Got info. Tried calling Bellamy and Knix, didn't get an answer.
I continued outside and down the steps of the building, turning back towards the dorms as I waited for his reply. It wasn't until I got to the front steps of Chipley Hall that he finally responded.
Marv: Just got out. Heading to your dorm. Meet you out front.
I sighed, looking around and spotting several white rocking chairs spread across the front of the dorm patio. I moved towards them, planning to wait there, in the shade, until he got here. I didn’t wait long.
“Harlow!” Marv called out as he jogged across the lawn. My eyes rose and caught on his form. Dryness assailed my throat. Holy…mother…of…Jesus. Dressed in a soft v-neck with a strap of leather around his neck dangling into the crevice of his collar, Marv looked every bit the laid-back college student rather than his usual professional suit and tie ensemble. I bit my lip and stood up on wobbly knees as he approached. He slowed to a walking gait as he rounded a brick pillar into the patio area. “Hey,” he greeted me.
“Hey.” My eyes traveled downward without even meaning to. Dark blue jeans hugged his legs. They looked perfectly tailored to him. Perhaps they were.
Marv collapsed in one of the rocking patio chairs at my side and I blinked before quickly retaking my seat, so I didn’t look like an utter dweeb just standing there staring at him. “So, how’d it go with the advisor?” he asked.
My eyes drifted down to where his shirt pulled tight across his shoulders, outlining the breadth of his frame. “The advisor?”
“Yeah, the advisor—Harlow, are you okay?”
I blinked, flushing hot when I realized what I had been doing. My gaze shot to his to see if he had noticed, but Marv just sat there with both of his brows drawn low as he watched me, confused. “Right, the advisor. She, uh, I mean, what I mean to say is that she—Professor Brownson—” I stumbled over my words and had to stop myself and draw a deep breath. “I didn’t get anywhere with the admissions office,” I finally admitted. “They wouldn’t even let me past the front office area to see anyone. But Professor Brownson let it slip that Erika informed her that she’d be leaving campus for a bit.”
Marv sat up straighter. “She knew, then.” His eyes scanned the front lawn before he stood and reached for my elbow. “Is your roommate in right now?”
Shocked at his abruptness, I shook my head. “No, why?”
“Because we probably shouldn’t talk out here.”
I nodded. “Okay. Let’s go.” Marv released me as I let us into the dorm. Thankfully, we didn’t run into anyone else as I checked Marv in and went up to my new dorm room. Once inside, he looked around, grimacing—probably at how small and cramped it was. I dropped my bag on my bed and sat at the desk.
“So, what now?” I asked. “Should we call the others?”
Marv shook his head. “If Bell and Knix weren’t answering, they’re probably on the road.”
“But both of them not answering?”
Marv looked at me, storm-gray eyes serious. “Don’t worry, Harlow. We’ll tell them when they get here.”
I sighed. “You tell me not to worry, but I can’t help it. If Erika knew she was leaving, then does that mean that she’s with Josh?”
Marv grimaced and grabbed the back of Lizzie’s desk chair. Turning it to face me, he sat and reached for my hands. “Listen, it’s entirely possible. But we don’t know the whole story yet.”
“If she’s been with him this whole time,” I snapped, “I’m going to be really mad.” I stood, pulling away from his hands and paced across the room before coming back and repeating the cycle. “We’ve been best friends for years,” I explained. “It doesn’t make any sense. Why
wouldn’t she tell me what’s going on? Does she not trust me? How can she keep something like this from me? What if she’s in danger?”
Marv stood and stepped into my pacing path, causing me to come to an abrupt halt or risk running into his chest. His hands moved to my shoulders and I looked up. “Relax, Sunshine. It’s all gonna work out.”
“That’s easy for you to say.”
He frowned and shook his head. “No, it’s not.” Marv tugged me to the bed and sat down, pulling me down beside him. “What’s wrong? You’re not acting like yourself.”
“I’m just worried about her,” I admitted. “If she left campus willingly, do we really need to be here?”
“Well, considering Josh walked out of his rehab facility without discharging himself, I’d say that there’s still something not adding up,” he pointed out. He was right, but what was it? I felt like there was something big missing. Something I should see clearly.
“There’s no use getting so worked up now,” Marv said. “I didn’t bring you up here to rattle you. We’re just going over what we know. Think of the clues as the pieces to a puzzle—once you get the outer ones lined up and connected, you just need to fill the rest in.”
“That’s just the thing,” I said, standing and pulling my hands away. “None of it makes much sense to me right now.”
“Come on, sit back down.” Marv stood and patted the bed. I sighed but did as he asked while he moved towards my desk to pull out a sheet of paper and a pen from my drawer. “Alright, so let’s start out with what we know then.”
“Okay,” I said. “Well, we know that both Josh and Erika are missing.”
“Yes,” Marv said, scribbling it down. “What else?”
“We know that Josh was not discharged, and he left of his own free will. So, he hasn’t been kidnapped.”
Marv shook his head. “We don’t know that for sure.”
I frowned. “But how can you say that? Didn’t Texas and Grayson watch the videos? He did leave without anyone forcing him.”
“There are a lot of ways to force someone that don’t necessarily involve a gun to the back of the head.”
“Like coercion?” I asked.
“In a manner of speaking.” Marv scribbled something else down before turning back to me. “We did mention that Josh might have left because someone had kidnapped Erika to hold over him.”
“Sort of,” I conceded, “but then she wouldn’t have known she was leaving, which she clearly did.”
“Ah, but that’s assuming that the two are mutually exclusive.”
I stared at him as my temples throbbed. “Huh?”
Marv smiled patiently before writing something else down and then lifted the paper for me to see. It was a somewhat crude drawing of a puzzle with a bunch of missing middle pieces and blank outer pieces. In one corner, Marv had written “Caruso #1 missing” and in another space alongside it, he had written, “Erika missing.” Further to the side, another piece read “Erika takes prearranged break.”
Biting my lip, I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Okay, so what if Josh was forced to leave then? It wasn’t because Erika was in trouble, because she already knew she was leaving. What if they planned on leaving together?” I asked.
Marv tapped his chin thoughtfully. “Do you think they eloped?”
Scrunching up my nose, I shook my head. “All this mess just to elope?” It was ridiculous. “No, it’s been weeks. They would have been back by now if they eloped.”
“Ah, and Caruso Number One doesn’t have any money left.” Marv took the paper back and leaned over the desk to fit that little tidbit of information into another space of the puzzle.
I watched him work as I thought. “Something triggered this,” I finally said.
“Hmmm?” Marv looked up. “Do you have an idea?” he asked.
“Not exactly.” I worried my bottom lip. “It’s just that Erika was acting a little strange when we went to that dance club in Charleston. She’s always been a loyal girlfriend before, but she wanted to drink and talk to guys while we were there.”
“Do you think she and Caruso Number One broke up?”
“If they did, she didn’t say anything about it.” And she would have, right? We were best friends. She told me everything. While I could no longer really do that with her because of Iris, it shouldn’t have had any effect on how she talked about her relationships which was, after all, one of her favorite subjects.
“I know Texas and Grayson have been working more on the case between classes,” Marv said. “Maybe they came up with something.”
I lifted an eyebrow. “You know, I never really understood that,” I said. “Taking classes, I mean. I get that we need to fit in to ask questions, but just one of us could have done it, right?”
Marv shrugged. “If we all have classes then it keeps people from asking too many questions when we’re on campus talking to them. And the more of us trying to feel out information, the higher chance we have of actually getting something useful.”
“Okay, then what about my dorm room?” I gestured around.
He tilted his head to the side, those tornado gray eyes staring at me once more. “Do you not like it?”
I huffed. “That’s not what I’m saying. I’m just asking why I was the only one who had to be in the dorms.”
Marv tapped his chin with the pen. “Well, one, because in a dorm setting, you can get closer to get more information. Two, you’re not just in any dorm—you’re in Erika’s old dorm. A lot of the girls living here probably take summer classes, right? It would make sense to put you here in case you came across any information.”
“So, I’m just here in case?”
“In the dorm? Sure. Here, working the mission? You’re here because you have a personal stake in it, and because we trust your ability and judgment. You know Erika the best. That’s an advantage that we need right now.”
"Then, is Grayson here because he knows Josh best?"
Marv looked away. "Grayson is here because Knix and Alex said he could be. He would have been here either way. They want him to work with us rather than against us."
I shot him a disapproving look. "Do you really think Grayson would work against us on this?"
"Who fucking knows what he's thinking," Marv said. Before I could reply, the sound of keys jingling in the hall preceded the opening of the door. Lizzie's short crop of highlighter pink hair came into view. When she caught a glimpse of Marv, a smile spread across her face and I rolled my eyes.
Here we go again, I thought.
"Hi," Lizzie said, dumping her stuff on her bedspread before marching over and shoving out her hand. "Who are you?" Her eyes slid my way. I shook my head, but she ignored me. "The boyfriend?"
Marv had just reached back for her hand when she said the word "boyfriend" and he froze as they clasped palms. Then, with an utterly straight face, he nodded to her as he shook her hand. "My name's Marv," he said, "and not yet, but hopefully."
I slapped his shoulder before I even realized that I had moved. Staring down at my own hand in shock, my eyes shot up to meet Marv's amused gaze. "I'm not taking it back," I said quickly.
He chuckled, releasing Lizzie's hand. Lizzie laughed, backing towards her bed. "Well, I'm just glad I didn't walk in on you two having sex," she said. "That happened with my roommate last year."
My cheeks flamed red and I shook my head sharply. "That's not going to happen." When Marv looked at me curiously, I stumbled to explain. "I mean, you wouldn't walk in on...that."
Lizzie shrugged. "Well, if you ever wanna do it, just hang a sock on the doorknob. That's like the universal signal for getting it on or something."
Could my blush get any hotter? Yes, yes it could. And it did.
"Okay, well, we should probably be going," I said, shoving Marv towards the door, grabbing my phone and keys on the way. "I'll see you later." I pushed Marv out into the hallway and shut the door behind me before grabbing his hand as we headed for the exit. Marv looked b
ehind himself, chuckling.
"Not. A. Word," I warned, but that seemed to only make him laugh harder.
"What's the problem?" Marv asked as we stepped outside. I groaned. "I didn't lie."
Ignoring him, I released his hand and strode across the street, heading in the direction of the duplex. Marv jogged to catch up with my stomping gait. "Why are you so upset?" he asked.
I glared at him for a brief second before turning my face forward again. "It's embarrassing," I said. But more than that... "It makes me feel like a bad person."
Out of the corner of my eye, I could tell that Marv was shocked. I sighed. I should have known he wouldn't understand. Marv snagged my hand and brought me to a stop on the sidewalk, before pulling me to the side as a guy on a bicycle flew past us. "You are not a bad person, Sunshine," he replied with a stern expression. "Why would you even think that?"
I stared up at him. "Because," I started, "I feel like that's what you guys are waiting for—a decision. You want me to make a choice between you, and I don't know that I can. You and Bellamy and Knix and Texas have been friends for years. If I choose any one of you then how do you think the others are going to feel? How would you feel if when we saw them next, I said that I wanted to date Knix?"
His jaw clenched, his eyes turning fiery and molten. "Is that what you want?" he asked slowly.
I shook my head. "I'm not making a decision right now," I huffed. "I'm asking if, hypothetically, I did choose one of the others and it wasn't you, how would you feel?"
Marv blew out a breath. "Well, yeah, I wouldn't like it."
I nodded. "Would you ever be able to work with me and whoever I choose and not get jealous?"
"I..." He trailed off, looking at me as if searching for the answer I wanted. That was the problem, though—the answer I wanted, neither of us had. "I'd have to get over it?" He formed the statement as though it was a question and grimaced as though he didn't like the thought.