by Andrew Gruse
Brian Sedowski inhaled deeply and nodded. “I’ll still need your full report asap.”
Pritchett nodded.
Brian Sedowski eyed him. “And that is what you plan to be the extent of your investigation?”
“I’m basing it on all the information I can find.”
Sedowski stared at Pritchett. “I hope so. I can and will hold up that money until I am satisfied the investigation was thorough. I can also bring in a team of investigators.”
“Oh, Brian, we can handle it just fine here.” Pritchett looked at the fire scene. “Outsiders really wouldn’t know where to start here. They’d just get in the way.”
“Well, we don’t want to be in the way.” Sedowski handed Pritchett his card. “I’ll let you get to work on investigating the fire scene. Contact me at that number when the report is finished.”
The moment Sedowski turned back to his Malibu, a familiar white Honda Accord drove into the lot, followed by a black GMC Sierra truck. The Accord stopped away from the red vehicle and Malibu. The GMC pickup drove right up to the red Silverado.
Deputy Bilford stood next to the truck door beside Pritchett. “It’s a regular convention here,” he said.
Pritchett looked at the Accord. “Is that the couple from out of town?”
Bilford nodded. “Yep. The Willows kid’s gramma hired them to find Derek. I suspect they’re here because he saw Derek’s car behind the building.”
Pritchett shook his head. “Why was that damn kid here on Saturday?”
Bilford rolled his eyes. “Want to take a guess?”
A man exited the black Sierra and walked right over to Gary Pritchett. They shook hands.
“Morning, Coach,” Pritchett said. “What brings you here?”
Coach Tim Weber smiled. “Wanted to see if you knew anything before I head out to the search.”
Pritchett shook his head. “Orb has his undies in a bundle because we haven’t started looking yet. Tried telling him it’s a waste of time, but, gotta do due diligence.”
Coach Weber nodded. “Who are those two by the fancy foreign car?”
Pritchett smiled. “A couple of outsiders hired to find the kid. They were here Saturday. The guy was inside the school when it burnt to the ground. He saved Lockett.”
Weber shot a look at Pritchett. “They’re looking for Derek, huh?”
“Yep.” Pritchett shook his head, and then the fire trucks from the Clyde Fire Department turned into the high school parking lot.
Weber stared at the couple. “I’ll go see what they want and keep ‘em out of here.”
* * * *
Zack and Julie watched as the two men talked and shook hands. One walked off to join the other volunteer firemen while the larger man from the black Sierra truck walked towards them. He wore a baseball hat with the school emblem on it, jeans, and a hooded sweatshirt also with the school emblem emblazoned on the front.
“This ought to be interesting,” Zack said.
“Play nice, Zack. I doubt Michelle and your lawyer will be able to get you out of jail very quickly if the good sheriff decides you need to spend time in a cell.”
Zack smiled and winked at Julie. “Town like this, I’m sure they’ll allow a conjugal visit.”
Julie smiled and shook her head.
Weber got closer and stopped a few feet from them. He was taller and broader than Zack, almost six foot five and at least two-hundred and sixty pounds. Weber was thick and except for the beer-gut looked formidable. He spent time in a gym. Zack guessed he liked to impress the high school kids with heavy squats and bench press reps.
“Hi, I don’t know you two. I’m Coach Tim Weber,” he said and extended his hand.
Julie shook his hand first. “I’m Julie. This is Zack.”
They said hi. Weber grabbed Zack’s hand, tried the intimidating squeeze to the smaller Zack, but wasn’t successful. Zack smiled.
“Congratulations on winning state last year,” Zack said.
“Thanks. I had a really committed group of kids. What brings you here?”
Zack shrugged. “Well, we were driving through town, then, as the saying goes, shit happened.”
Julie decided to be nicer. “We were hired by Derek Willows’ grandmother to find him. He went missing Saturday morning.”
“Yeah, I heard that,” Weber said. “You learn anything yet?”
Zack studied the man. Learning about a person sometimes was as simple as listening.
“Not much,” Julie said. She knew not to show her hand. Zack taught her well. “We did hear you organized a search for Derek.”
“Yeah,” Weber said. “I heard he hadn’t been around and thought maybe I could help.”
“By organizing a search over in the forest outside Hobby?” Julie asked.
“Yeah. The kids hang out there,” Weber said. “All the Clyde kids went there to party, hang out, just chill,” Weber said. “I know Derek went there often.”
“How would you know that?” Zack asked.
Weber stared at Zack. “I knew Derek. I coached him.”
“We were told you spent time with Derek after school hours. Is that true?” Zack asked. Julie sensed Zack’s motive. She gently moved closer to Zack and touched his arm to remind him of what she told him.
Weber nodded. “I was close to all the kids I coached. It’s a small school. I taught there, too, so I’d see a lot of the kids like Derek.”
“I asked specifically about Derek,” Zack said.
Weber paused, and his face tightened. “I tutored Derek occasionally. Mainly with chemistry.”
“I bet you did,” Zack said. “When was the last time you saw him?”
“I was out of town most of the weekend,” Weber answered.
“I didn’t ask that,” Zack said. “I asked when was the last time you saw him.”
Weber flushed. “We talked last week. Like I said, I see him at school every day.”
“Where were you this weekend?”
Weber opened his mouth and then paused. “Why are you asking?”
“I’m curious,” Zack said without an ounce of friendliness in his tone.
“Maybe I don’t feel obliged to answer.”
Zack smiled. “One of your students, and from what I can tell a student who was very,” Zack paused for effect, “close to you hasn’t been seen or heard from since Saturday morning when we can place him here,” Zack pointed at the school, “around eleven in the morning.”
“I said I was out of town.”
“And we were hired by his worried guardian to find him,” Zack said. “Where were you?”
“Out of town.”
“Can you prove it?”
“Coach Weber,” Julie interrupted the testosterone match with her calming influence. “You have to understand that until Derek is found, we and the police will assume foul play, and during that time, every person in this town is a suspect. We aren’t accusing you or anyone of anything. We’re just trying to find out what happened to Derek and get him home safely to his grandmother. You must be able to imagine how difficult this has to be on her.”
Weber took his stare off Zack long enough to see the imploring look of Julie. Julie won.
“I had an interview for a college coaching job,” Weber said.
Julie smiled. “Oh, that’s awesome. What school?”
“A small school, I’m sure you never heard of it,” Weber said.
Zack chuckled, but not one to make Weber at ease. “Coach, forgive me for saying this, but you have an alarming propensity to avoid answering questions with actual answers. Why don’t you try us? What school?”
“Maybe I don’t like the tone of your questions.”
The two eyed each other. Zack grinned and hoped the guy would make a move. Zack already made up his mind about Weber. Julie, again, stepped in to be the voice of reason.
“Gentlemen, this is not helping us find Derek. Coach, you’re going to be asked where you were as will everyone in this town. We’re onl
y trying to eliminate people. We have to find Derek.” She again employed her imploring look. “Time is against us, so please,” she trailed off.
“Truman State,” Weber said at length. “Last minute thing. I turned it down.”
“Well,” Julie said, “you would know if it was a good fit better than anyone.”
Zack liked her style but decided to press the issue. “We learned Derek got a scholarship to state.”
Weber nodded. “He was the first kid I coached to get a D1 scholarship,” he said.
“He must have been on cloud nine,” Julie said.
Weber smiled. “He was.”
Zack crossed his arms. “Derek’s scholarship got pulled, and he was upset. Derek came here Saturday morning to talk to someone about it,” Zack said. He parlayed that into the conversation casually. “Who would he come here to talk to about that?” We already know it’s you, Coach. Derek penned letters to you.
Weber shrugged his shoulders.
“You don’t know?”
“Look, I told you I was out of town. How would I know?”
“Just thought with you being the football coach who got him the scholarship, you might have an idea,” Zack said.
“Well, I don’t. You want to waste any more of my time? I need to organize people who are really helping to find him,” Weber said.
Zack smiled. I would love to rearrange those pearly whites of yours.
“Coach, thank you for your time. If you find Derek, please let us know,” Julie intervened once more.
Weber nodded and turned to leave. He walked towards his truck.
“Oh, by the way,” Zack yelled out to Weber, “why not search the forest behind the school?”
Weber paused. “Because the kids don’t go in there.”
Zack stepped forward. “Yeah, ok. But, why not search that forest?”
Weber stepped forward, irritated. “Look, you’re not from around here, so you don’t know how things work, and the kids don’t go in that forest.”
“Ok,” Zack said. Weber turned again. “Oh, what time did you get back into town on Saturday?”
“I don’t know. Early afternoon. Is that it?” Weber asked more irritated than before.
Zack smiled. “So you get back into town Saturday, don’t hear from Derek, and organize a search for him on Sunday afternoon based on what?”
“News travels fast in this town, Stack. I want to help find him. Anything else? I’m in a hurry.”
Zack shook his head and watched Weber turn and leave. Zack turned to Julie. “The idiot just admitted he was here Saturday.”
“What do you think?”
“I think he’s going to realize what he said and change his story. And I don’t like that guy at all.”
Julie smiled. “I’m sure he’s not fond of you, either. What do we do now?”
“Let’s go for a drive. There’s nothing we can do here.”
“We can prove or disprove his alibi.”
“Oh, we’re going to.” Zack opened Julie’s car door. “We’re going to turn that liar’s life inside out.”
CHAPTER 15
Zack drove into town first. Julie sat next to him, partially turned in her seat to make looking at him easier.
“You know I really wasn’t looking for a story when we came into town,” Julie said to break the silence. “We’ve been here for two days, and I have the makings of a story.”
“You want to research this place?”
“No, but I think I’m going to have to,” she said.
Zack nodded. “After our little trip here, we’ll stop at their library. Is that what you’re thinking?”
She nodded. “That’s exactly what I’m thinking. I know you hate research, but as you say, we need information.”
Zack’s phone rang. He showed Julie the name on the screen.
Jules smiled. “Michelle. I can’t wait to hear this conversation.”
Zack passed the gas station/mini-mart on Main and pulled into the parking lot as the phone rang. “Perfect timing. This could take a while, and I am certain I will want a Pepsi before this conversation is over.” He handed her his wallet. “You’re due for another gallon of coffee already, aren’t you?”
Julie snatched the wallet from his hand and stuck out her tongue. “You promised you’d cut back.”
“I did last week. I’ll cut back again next week,” Zack winked. “Until then, they have a buy two get one for a dollar sale.”
She shook her head and exited the car. At long last, he picked up.
“Good morning, Michelle. This call is a surprise.”
“Can it, you jerk,” Michelle said. “Your package just arrived. I already have it open. It’s powering up right now.”
“Thanks, Michelle. If it wasn’t important, I wouldn’t have sent it to you.”
“Zack, Dre needs some information, and Darnell is on another insurance fraud case. I really need to be helping them.”
“Michelle, this is more important, trust me. I told you the other night, time is not on our side.”
“Zack, I’ll get to it later. You’re supposed to be on vacation, remember? Not working. How does Julie feel about all of this?”
“I’m sure as pleased as you are. I need you to cut the attitude and do it now, Ok?”
Michelle was silent. Zack could hear her type on the computer.
“You know why I give you attitude, and couldn’t you ask nicely for once?”
He watched the door of the mini-mart. Jules exited carrying a bag and a large cup of coffee. She saw Zack watch and smiled and stuck out her tongue again.
“Why do you insist on being so difficult? I just need to know what’s on that computer,” Zack said irritated.
The car door opened, Julie slid inside and shut the door. “I like spending your money.”
He looked at Jules as she removed a bottle of Pepsi and put it in the cupholder. She slid the rest of the bag inside a small cooler they kept in the backseat.
“I'm difficult? You can’t even answer me. Why do you need this right now? You know we’re trying to keep this business running while you’re off doing whatever the hell it is you,” but he cut her off.
“Michelle, damnit!” The sudden rise in his voice shocked Julie. She jumped back in her seat with her eyes open wide. Frustration and anger covered Zack’s face, and she saw his skin redden. “Would you just do what I ask and quit giving me shit for once? I told you this is important. Do you think I ask you to do things because I’m fucking bored?”
Julie covered her agape mouth with her hand in shock. She had never heard Zack raise his voice to Michelle. Zack saw Julie’s reaction, and his face turned red. His shoulders shrank in regret.
“Now you’re yelling at me?”
“A kid is missing, Michelle,” Zack said. He squeezed his fists and took a slow breath to calm himself. Zack had never yelled at Michelle before. He didn’t like what he heard. “A high school boy has been missing since Saturday morning. You know what that means. There’s a lot of shit going on here, and I’m stressing out, so please,” Zack let out a long breath. “I’m sorry, ‘Chelle, I need to know what’s on that computer.”
There was a silence, and Zack thought he heard a sniffle.
“I am really sorry, Michelle. I feel like the jerk you and Jules are always saying I am. Once you know what is going on here, you’ll understand why I’m on edge,” Zack said. This is going to cost me. I shouldn’t have yelled at her.
“You could have just told me what is going on in the first place. Your lack of communication skills makes it very difficult to understand you,” Michelle said, and Zack heard a sniffle again.
Oh no, please don’t let her be crying. “I know, believe me,” Zack said, and he looked into Jules’ eyes. “You aren’t the only one to let me know that. I’m working on it.”
“You better. I don’t know how Jules puts up with you sometimes. I hope she is listening now. Stefani and I agree: she must be a saint!”
Jul
ie smiled and stuck out her tongue yet again at Zack. He rolled his eyes. “I know and trust me; she feels the same way. I’m sorry. Now, are you on the computer?”
“Yes, I’m on it. I can tell this is a high school kid with that level of encryption. This should only take a few moments,” Michelle said, her voice subdued. Zack heard a sniffle again.
Zack opened his mouth, but Julie quickly put her fingers on his lips and shook her head no. “Don’t say anything,” Julie said softly.
“Ok, I’m in,” Michelle said. “Let’s see. How about his picture file. Let’s start there.” She paused. “Oh my. Do you really want to know what is on his computer?”
* * * *
Ten minutes later, Zack disconnected the line and continued on their journey. The computer told a lot, but not enough, and Michelle needed time to hack the passwords to access his email, messenger, and other apps. Michelle also had on her list of things-to-do to call the university Weber mentioned. It was a full-case load of research for Michelle.
Zack apologized, and even Julie told Michelle he was sorry, and he’d make it up to her, but after learning of the situation, it fortified her effort and focus. It lifted his spirits, knowing Michelle was full-fledged boring into it.
As they headed east on the state highway away from Clyde, both Zack and Julie’s lifted spirits fell. They approached the intersection of 22 and 9 and saw the Johnston house.
Technically, they saw the lot the Johnston house used to occupy.
The house was gone. A large bulldozer razed it, and a back-hoe sat nearby and picked up the remains of the charred house to dump it in a dump truck. Zack stopped the car.
“Are you shitting me?”
Julie put her hand on his shoulder. “Language, remember? You let an F-bomb slip. You promised you’d clean it up by the wedding.”
Zack turned off the car, parked on the shoulder of the road and stared in disbelief at the property. “It will be cleaned up by the wedding.” He looked at her. “Just tell me when it is.”
That made her frown.
“Come on, let’s go ask this guy what’s going on.”