The Toybox

by Charly Cox

  Beau jerked upright in his chair, palms out to stop Cord from continuing. ‘Whoa, whoa, whoa. Yes, I admitted to being at the party. I even admit to talking to some girl – whose name I never found out by the way – but when she walked away, that was that. I moved on. I swear to God I didn’t do anything to her. Or Jersey.’ Sweat trickled down the side of his face, and he reached up to wipe it off.

  ‘You can see why we’re finding it a little bit difficult to see how it’s just coincidental that you happened to have direct contact with two missing girls, both within a day of each other, right?’ Again, Alyssa scooted her chair an inch closer.

  His face sheet-white, Beau’s eyes cut to the door and back, and one leg bounced up and down. Alyssa pressed harder. ‘How often do you travel to Santa Fe?’

  Blinking rapidly, he said, ‘What?’

  ‘Were you dating Meghan Jessup from Santa Fe? You know she was only fourteen?’ Before he had time to process that, she dropped another bomb. ‘I think there’s a name for that.’ She peered over at Cord. ‘Statutory rape, right? Punishable by up to eighteen months and a $5000 fine?’

  Cord’s eyes remained steady on Beau until the kid looked away, blanching at Cord’s response. ‘Sounds right. Unless it was forced. Then, you know, we’re talking a lot more prison time.’

  Beau’s hands dropped to hang at his side as his head swiveled between Cord and Alyssa. Then he pressed his palms onto his knees as if he was attempting to keep them steady. ‘Am I under arrest here? Do I need a lawyer?’

  It was Alyssa’s turn to shrug. ‘You’re not under arrest. Yet. And have you done something that would require an attorney?’

  Instant red flushed his face as he banged one fist on the table. ‘No. I didn’t do anything! How many times do I have to tell you that? Yeah, sure, I was at the party.’

  Alyssa remained quiet in the hopes that she’d given him enough rope to hang himself.

  ‘And yeah, I talked to that girl, Rachel, but I had nothing to do with her going missing. Nothing! Lots of guys were there that night, and a hot girl like her could’ve hooked up with any of them. And just because I spent a few minutes passing conversation with her doesn’t mean I did something to her.’

  ‘If you’d heard she went missing, why didn’t you contact us? Maybe you could’ve cleared up a few questions and saved yourself the trouble of having to come down here. Surely you knew we’d eventually figure out that you not only had a connection with two, but three missing girls. One of whom is now dead.’

  ‘Wait a minute, I never said I knew that other girl!’ A cross between anger and disbelief etched across the features of Beau’s face. ‘Wait! Am I suspect in murder now? And if I am, why aren’t you arresting me, and why did you say I didn’t need a lawyer?’

  ‘I didn’t say you didn’t need a lawyer, Beau,’ Alyssa corrected. ‘I asked if you thought you needed one.’ She hoped the reminder wouldn’t encourage him to use what limited brain cells he had and require that attorney, but she had a feeling this interrogation was about to come to a screeching halt before they got any real answers.

  And she was right. Beau swallowed, nodded once, and then lawyered up. ‘I’m not saying anything else until I talk to my lawyer. I didn’t do anything, and if you guys really want to know what happened to these girls, you need to stop wasting your time harassing me.’ He stood. ‘Am I free to go or am I under arrest?’

  Alyssa really wanted to say he was under arrest, but unfortunately, they didn’t have enough to hold him. She, too, rose to her feet. ‘You’re free to go. But don’t stray from Albuquerque, Beau, in case we need to ask you more questions.’ At the door, she paused before opening it. ‘And if you happen to think of anything you might’ve forgotten to tell us, you might want to make sure you give us a call before someone else tells us. Otherwise, we might consider that obstruction to justice.’ She opened the door, just in time to see Mr. Cambridge storming their way.

  ‘What the hell is going on here?’ he roared, his words coming out with a mouthful of spray.

  ‘Our job is what’s going on. We had some questions for your son, so he agreed to come down to the precinct so we could formally ask those questions.’

  ‘He already told you where he was when that slut went missing!’

  ‘Which “slut” would that be, Mr. Cambridge? Jersey Andrews? Or Rachel Otis? In case you’re keeping count, that’s at least two girls.’ Alyssa held up two fingers, watching his reaction to the news. ‘At least two girls your son has “coincidentally” been in contact with shortly before they disappeared.’

  The color in his face surpassed red and stormed into purple. His voice surprisingly controlled and even, Mr. Cambridge said, ‘The next time you want to talk to my son for any reason, you better have an arrest warrant in hand. And even if you don’t, we demand his attorney be present.’ Before stalking away, he reached out and squeezed his son’s arm, shoving him in front of him. As he stormed off, Alyssa heard him berate Beau. ‘Are you stupid? Where the hell is your head?’ The remainder of his words were lost as he rounded the corner, but she had a pretty fair idea of how that conversation would play anyway.

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Friday, May 24

  Late Friday night, Holly studied herself in the full-length mirror in the corner of her room. The pants that fit her nicely just last week now hung a little looser on her hips, held up by a belt she’d had to tighten by notching it an extra space over. Her cheekbones were sharper and more pronounced, and even though, on a normal summer break, she’d already be sporting a nice sun-kissed tan, right now her skin had taken on the pallor of someone who’d never gotten a dose of external Vitamin D.

  Her rapid weight loss wasn’t only a result of her stress over Jersey disappearing; she’d also made up her mind not to attend Cornell University when August rolled around. And the thought of telling her parents zapped any remaining appetite she might’ve had.

  Ultimately, it was her decision to make, but the nerves in her stomach spasmed at the very idea of disappointing her dad, who she knew was going to take the news like a physical blow to the gut. Everyone in her family, of course, had been thrilled when she’d received her acceptance letter to the Ivy League school, but her dad? He’d been so proud – no, not just proud – boastful was a more apt description. He bragged unselfconsciously about her accomplishments to his friends, his colleagues, his subcontractors, even the servers at their favorite restaurants. Honestly, it was all a bit embarrassing, not to mention the amount of pressure she’d felt at anticipating having to succeed at every single point in her college career – but she hadn’t had the heart to ask her dad to stop. After all, she was only going to be home for a few more months.

  Until that first tiny whisper of a thought had nudged her while she slept. And when she woke, the nudge had grown into a push and then into a full-out shove.

  And sure, her mom would be concerned about Holly’s choice, and she would most certainly fall into what Holly liked to describe as mom-detective mode in that she’d question every minute detail as to how Holly had come to this decision, but she was prepared with her answers. And just like her mom, once her teeth sank into something, she was superglued to it, and it would take a Herculean amount of force to change her mind. So, she knew that once her mom understood not only why she’d made such a momentous change to her future plans (without first discussing it with her family) but that she’d truly thought through every angle, her mom would become her biggest champion.

  More importantly, she would plow through anyone else’s disgruntled attitudes about it. And by everyone else, she meant Grandma and Dad.

  Which was a good thing because once her mind had been firmly set on the new course, she’d placed a call to the admissions office and set a meeting date with the registrar of the University of New Mexico. Instead of becoming a Big Red Bear of Ithaca, New York, she’d be a howling Lobo in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

  Not only would this allow her to remain close to home with her fa
mily at only a twenty-minute drive away from the dorms, she’d also get to hang out with Sophie as opposed to Skyping or viewing each other’s Instagram posts.

  Thinking of needing to be there for Sophie deflated Holly. Jersey. Moisture pooled in the corners of her eyes, making it difficult to see as the tears spilled over, streaking her carefully applied make-up. If someone had told her even a week ago she’d ever miss – crave, even – her friend’s drama-filled, angst-ridden personality, she would’ve laughed in that person’s face, maybe even accused her of being on some serious mind-altering drugs.

  Yet, here she stood, praying she could turn around to find Jersey curled up on the futon nestled under Holly’s window bawling about all the things Jersey liked to cry over. Even if that was Beau.

  Beau. Asshat of a boyfriend. Armpit of humanity.

  Like a light switch had been flicked, Holly’s tears were replaced with blinding anger, and the face staring back at her in the mirror was now suffused with a red so deep, she appeared to be on the verge of a stroke.

  Late that afternoon, Leigh Ann had sent her and Sophie a text claiming she needed to tell them something, but she was afraid. Sophie, still holding a grudge that Leigh Ann had fallen into the trap of feeling sorry for Beau, had snapped off a less than friendly, far from encouraging, response.

  SOPHIE

  Why would you be afraid to tell us something… unless you’re about to admit to banging one of your supposedly best friend’s boyfriends while she’s missing?

  Ouch. Holly’s own response had been less scathing and combatant.

  HOLLY

  Whatever it is, you can tell us.

  It was five minutes before Leigh Ann responded, her admission robbing breath from Holly’s lungs.

  You know that girl Rachel who went missing from the frat party? Well, I was there that night, too… long story… I’ll tell you why later if you’re still talking to me… Anyway, I saw Beau hitting on her before I left. I’m sorry I kept it a secret, but I was afraid to tell you. I told Holly’s mom today what I saw. I hope you two can forgive me.

  Ten seconds later, Holly’s phone rang. Where she’d been left speechless, Sophie was in a full rage.

  ‘What the actual HELL does she mean “if we’re still talking to her”? What if he did something to Jersey and that Rachel girl? What if this nightmare could’ve been over days ago if she’d just told your mom right away? If she’d told us! And what the hell was she doing at a frat party to begin with? Was she with Beau? Maybe they’re both involved! What if—’

  Holly cut her best friend off. ‘Sophie, come on. We might be mad at her right now, but really, Leigh Ann and Beau? She’s the patient one among us. Do you really think she’d do that to Jersey?’

  Sophie snorted. ‘I didn’t think she’d withhold information that might help us find Jersey. And why is she telling your mom now? Unless she thinks Beau’s involved somehow? And if she’s afraid Beau’s involved, why would she invite him into your house?’ By the end of her rant, she was screaming, forcing Holly to hold the phone away from her ear.

  Tears of frustration sprang to her eyes. Sophie was right. ‘I don’t know,’ she whispered.

  ‘Well, I don’t know about you, but I’m done with her. Done. This goes beyond a simple betrayal. I mean, what if she really is protecting him?’

  If Leigh Ann knew something more, would she really have held it in this long? Holly wanted to say no, but after this bombshell, she didn’t know what to believe anymore.

  An image of the third girl flashed in her mind, and she gasped. ‘Oh my gosh, Sophie, the thirteen-year-old who just went missing. She lived near Jersey, right?’ Was Beau another Evan Bishop? Was he capable of something that evil? The blood drained from her face so fast, dizziness slammed into her, forcing her to sink onto her bed before she fell.

  Sophie’s gasp mimicked her own. ‘Do you think your mom knows? What am I saying? Of course, she does. What does all this mean?’ Her best friend’s voice wobbled. ‘What if she really is…?’ She couldn’t finish the word neither of them wanted to think.

  ‘I wish my mom could tell me what’s going on, beyond what’s on the news already.’

  ‘Me, too. Listen, my mom is at Aunt Natalia’s again, and I’m going to head over there for a while. Do you want me to swing by and pick you up and we can go together?’

  For a brief second, Holly toyed with the idea, but decided not to. ‘Thanks, but I think I’m going to tell Mom and Dad tonight about my decision to attend UNM instead of Cornell.’

  ‘Wow. Do you want me to come over there instead, give you moral support? I can go to Aunt Natalia’s after.’

  ‘Thanks, but I think I need to do this on my own. I’ll call you later and let you know how it goes. Hug your mom and aunt for me.’ After they ended their conversation, Holly’s thoughts returned to Jersey and Beau.

  Had Jersey contacted him that night like Holly, Sophie, and Leigh Ann suspected she would? Had Beau picked her up? Had he tried to force her to give in to his demands and they’d fought again? Had things gotten so out of hand he’d…

  Holly’s stomach twisted itself into a pretzel, but she forced herself to concentrate, to think like her mom might, which was what she’d been doing, up until about half an hour ago.

  Downstairs, the door from the garage to the house banged open followed by her mom’s tired voice as she greeted her dad. Inhaling deeply, Holly decided that, despite the late hour and the fact that her mother was just now getting home from a long day at work, now was as good a time as any to drop the bombshell that studying criminology was exactly what she was supposed to do with her life.

  She took one last look in the mirror, whispered, ‘You can do this,’ to her image and then headed down to break the news. Entering the kitchen quietly, she pressed her back into the counter and rubbed her neck nervously. When she realized she was bouncing on the balls of her feet and that her mom was now staring at her from the corner of her eye, she tried to stop. And when her mom turned her way, that knowing, steady stare of hers drilling in, Holly did her best to avoid direct eye contact.

  Her mom shot one quick glance her dad’s way and then focused once more on Holly.

  ‘I’m guessing whatever it is you’re trying to work up the nerve to say, neither your father nor I are going to like. So, you may as well spill it and get it over with. Like ripping off a Band-Aid.’

  Holly intertwined her fingers to avoid wringing her hands. Avoiding her father’s eyes, she finally blurted it out. ‘I’m not going to Cornell.’ Her gaze bounced from her father’s open-mouthed reaction before settling on her mother’s more startled, but less crushed face. She steam-plowed forward. ‘I already spoke to the admissions officer at UNM, and she doesn’t think there’s any reason I won’t be able to start in the fall with all the other freshmen.’

  Her dad just barely managed to lift his chin from the floor even as the color faded from his face. ‘Baby, you worked awfully hard to get into Cornell. Why would you toss this opportunity out the window like that?’

  ‘Is this because of your brother?’ her mom asked.

  Holly tipped her head forward and shrugged her shoulders. Then, realizing that seemed like she was still unsure of her decision, she straightened up. ‘Yes, partly. Well, not because of Isaac. But, yeah, because of what happened. But that’s not the only reason.

  ‘It’s also due, in part, to Jersey’s disappearance.’ She focused her attention on her mom, knowing the hurt in her dad’s eyes could easily derail her. ‘I’ve been trying to look at this from several different angles, like you would. And maybe Beau is as innocent as he proclaims. Maybe he’s not. Leigh Ann sent Sophie and me a text this afternoon, by the way, telling us what she told you.’ The tightening around her mother’s mouth was the only indication that she was affected by what Holly said.

  ‘The bottom line is,’ she continued, ‘I want to study criminology. And before you ask, yes, I’m sure. In fact, I’m more certain about this than any other career c
hoice I’ve ever considered in the past.’ This time she turned pleading eyes her father’s way. She needed him to understand, to support her decision, to not be absolutely crushed by her choice.

  ‘I’ve already picked out my course of study. And I know you’re both probably very disappointed, especially you, Dad, because I know how proud of me you are. But I hope you can understand this is where I belong. Not New York.’ An impish grin tilted up one corner of her mouth. ‘Besides, you should be happy I chose a school where I don’t have to buy a whole new wardrobe to match the school colors. UNM and Cornell both wear red.’

  ‘Cherry,’ her dad automatically corrected. ‘Lobos wear cherry.’

  Though he hadn’t said it in as many words, Holly knew her father had accepted her decision. Her shoulders sagged down, the tension releasing as the weight of telling her parents lifted.

  Even though he couldn’t completely hide his disappointment, her dad said, ‘It’s hard to argue against my baby girl staying close to home where I can see her far more easily and often.’ Then he cocked his head and narrowed his gaze. ‘You are planning on coming around more than just holidays, right?’

  Holly laughed, the sound light. ‘Of course, Dad. I’ll be around so much you’ll wonder if I even left for college at all.’ It was a lie, and they all knew it, but it did the trick as her dad wrapped her in a hug and kissed the top of her head.