Imperfect Truth

by C. A. Popovich

  She waited for Debby’s call for half an hour after everyone left before texting her, her anxiety creating scenarios her mind didn’t want to consider. She settled on the couch with Abby and looked at her phone, willing it to ring. She checked the time again and laughed. “It’s two hours earlier in Arizona, Abby.”

  She retrieved the remaining dishes from the table and began rinsing them and loading the dishwasher. She was nearly done when her phone chimed Debby’s ring tone.

  “Hey. You made it.”

  “I did. It’s a sunny seventy degrees here.” Debby’s voice held a smile.

  “Well, it’s thirty and cloudy here, but I’m eating a piece of pumpkin pie.” Alex allowed the sarcasm to color her tone.

  Debby laughed. “How was your dinner?”

  “It turned out nice. I think my dad’s friend Willy enjoyed it the most. It was like he hadn’t eaten in weeks.”

  “You must’ve had some good food.”

  “It was good, if I say so myself. I’m not sure, but I think he might be gay.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Yeah. He kept staring at Phil.” The thought crossed her mind that he almost looked angry or scared.

  “Huh. Well, I’m glad it went well for you. I’m at the Phoenix airport now waiting for Mom. Oh, here she comes. I’ll call you when I get home.”

  “Sounds good.” Alex hesitated. “I miss you.”

  “I miss you too, Alex. Talk to you soon.”

  Alex hoped it was sooner rather than later. She had enjoyed cooking for her family and was thrilled to see Jennifer so happy. Phil obviously cared about Jennifer, and she hoped that her fears about him and his involvement with Martinez turned out to be unwarranted. Willy had seemed interested in him, yet detached. Maybe the fact that Phil was a cop and Willy was a druggy made him nervous. Or maybe he was gay and interested but knew Phil was straight and with Jennifer. She hoped he managed to keep himself clean because she hadn’t seen her dad so settled in years. Having a friend in the NA program seemed good for him. The only missing piece to complete the picture was Debby. She wondered with growing anticipation, how to make that happen.

  Chapter Twenty-four

  Alex reached for her ringing phone and checked the time on her bedside clock. Three twelve a.m. She swung her legs over the side of the bed and looked at the readout. Joe. Her heart raced and her stomach clenched as she answered.

  “Joe?”

  “I’m sorry, kiddo. You’ve got to go. Now.”

  Alex knew Joe wouldn’t call if he wasn’t sure of a threat, but she asked anyway. “Are you absolutely certain?” She pulled the empty duffel bag from beneath her bed and started shoving things inside.

  “No question about it. Pack your bags. Jennifer is already on her way, and your father’s being notified as we speak. Do you remember the drill, or do you need me to spell it out?”

  “I know what to do. This is only for a few days, right?”

  “I’m not sure. Better plan for a month, just to be safe.”

  “So it’s temporary?”

  “I hope so.”

  Alex swallowed her frustration, and for a heartbeat, seriously considered telling Joe to go to hell. “How much time do I have?”

  “I’m outside your building with the engine running.”

  “Then keep your weapon handy because I’m taking a shower and getting dressed before I go anywhere.”

  She disconnected the call and stood on wobbly legs. She doubled over as dread engulfed her and panic stole her breath and her false bravado. She gulped air and held it in her lungs until her autonomic nervous system took over, and she was forced to breathe again. She rushed to the bathroom, trying to ignore the multitude of affairs she didn’t have in order. She needed to contact Debby. She ran back and snatched her phone but was unsurprised that it was dead. They always cut it off immediately when they had to move. She would get another phone but not until they were in a secure location, and then all her calls would be monitored. She threw the useless phone on her bed and headed to the bathroom.

  This was the way it went. No warning, little time to pack, and no information as to where they were taking them. But they would be safe. She wondered if Miguel had finally implicated himself, but she couldn’t figure out why it would affect them. She packed the two bags she had designated for this purpose and grabbed her ever-ready toiletry bag. She knew from experience that Joe would get them anything they needed if something was forgotten.

  She topped off Abby’s food travel container, seized her doggie bag with bowls, brushes, chews, and toys, and snatched her leash on the way out the door.

  “Where’re we going?” Alex asked as she slid into the backseat of a black sedan.

  “Someplace safe.” She knew Joe’s curt reply was all the information she was going to get.

  She wondered if Debby was still asleep and how she was going to get in touch with her. At least the last words they had spoken to each other were positive.

  *

  Debby jumped out of bed, drawn by a pull she couldn’t identify. She looked at the clock radio, two forty-two a.m. She shuffled to the bathroom and splashed water on her face. Something felt off, like when her brother had called years ago in the middle of the night to let her know that their father had died, except her phone sat silent on the charger by the bed. She shook off the unsettling feeling and went back to bed.

  She awoke at five thirty as usual, to a quiet house. Her mother was probably still asleep. The earlier unsettledness remained, and she pulled on a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt before going downstairs to brew coffee. She returned to the guest room and considered calling Alex, but decided a text would be less disturbing if she was still sleeping. Her phone pinged and the message readout showed her text had been undeliverable. Odd. She scrolled through her contacts and pushed Alex’s number. The phone’s reply bothered her. This number has been disconnected. She tried the number again and received the same message. She decided there was probably a problem with the carrier and would try again later. But it didn’t make sense that the number would be disconnected. She must have decided to change carriers, but it was unlikely she’d do that without picking up a new one right away. Very odd.

  She stood in the shower under the hot spray, hoping to wash away the disquieting sense. She blew her hair dry and dressed before doing her morning stretches and going downstairs to settle on her mom’s couch with her coffee. Heat rose through her body as she thought of Alex and their bodies pressed together as they had danced. They had agreed to more dates, but neither had made any long-term promises. Unfortunately, her heart had. Despite her list and her uncertainties, she had fallen in love with Alex, and there was no going back.

  She sipped her coffee and turned on the local newscast. Phoenix weather and traffic droned on, and she tried Alex’s number getting the same troubling message, so she called Kelly.

  You’ve reached the voice mail of Kelly Newton. Leave a message and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.

  “Hey, Kelly. I’m still in Arizona with Mom, and I’ve been trying to get a hold of Alex, but there seems to be a problem with her phone. Would you mind trying her cell for me? Thanks. Talk to you later.” She didn’t know why Kelly might be able to get through when she couldn’t, but she couldn’t think of another option. She didn’t have Jennifer’s number.

  “You’re up early.” Debby’s mom settled next to her on the couch. “Thanks for making coffee.”

  “I’m used to being at work by seven, so this isn’t early to me. Besides, it’s two hours later in Michigan.”

  “Ah. I forgot about the time difference. How’s everything going at the nursing home?”

  “It’s going well. I like it so much better than retail pharmacy.” Debby took a sip of her coffee. It felt good being with her mother. She hadn’t visited her since her sixty-seventh birthday in April, and she missed their morning chats. She had always been able to talk to her about anything. Her mother hadn’t batted an eye when she had told h
er at sixteen that she was going to marry her best friend someday. She had only nodded and told her to be careful because not everyone was comfortable with two girls wanting to get married. She debated telling her about Alex, wondering if it was still too soon. But then, if I can’t talk to Mom, who can I talk to?

  “So, nobody special in your life?” Her mother smiled and gently placed her hand on her leg.

  She shook her head at her mother’s question, sometimes wondering if she could read her mind. “In fact, I’m dating someone. Her name is Alex, and she lives in Northville.”

  “Oh, honey, that’s wonderful. You know how worried I was about you after that bitch, Evelyn, left you. I’m glad you’re finally able to move on.”

  Debby smiled. Her mother never was one to hold back with her feelings. Unlike herself. “We still have some stuff to work out, but we’re enjoying each other’s company. I don’t know if it will go anywhere, but it’s nice to want something like that again.”

  “Good. She better treat you right or she’ll have to deal with me. I better get busy in the kitchen. Your sister and family will be here by noon.”

  Debby enjoyed the feeling of knowing she could always count on her mother’s support. She put her feet up on the coffee table and relaxed while she finished her coffee and thought of Alex. They’d talked honestly, and she’d expressed the same desire to see who they could be together. Alex still had subjects that were off limits to discuss, but maybe, in time, that would change. People grow closer the longer they’re together. She only needed to be patient.

  *

  “I need a phone, Joe. I have to get in touch with Debby.” Alex paced the tiny kitchen while Joe sat at the table drinking a cup of hot chocolate.

  “I’ll get you one, Alex, I promise. It’ll be for emergencies only, however. I have to wait for my boss to let me know exactly what’s going on first. I only know that the FBI is keeping an eye on that warehouse I told you about. I don’t have enough details yet to break protocol. I’m to make sure your family is in a secure location and wait for instructions, but at the moment, that’s all I know.”

  “I need to call Phil, too.” Jennifer paced the opposite direction of Alex.

  “I know this is hard.” Joe stood and stopped their marching. “But it’s my job to keep you safe. Your dad will be here soon, and maybe I’ll get more information then.”

  Alex went to her designated bedroom and flopped onto the twin bed. She had grabbed a few books in her hasty departure, but she couldn’t concentrate on reading. She turned on the small TV that sat on a rickety round table in a corner of the room and found a news channel. The picture faded in and out as the wind gusted across the outside antennae. She shut it off and paced. She had no phone, and Debby would worry if she couldn’t get a hold of her. The marshals probably had their addresses expunged and all their belongings in storage by now, so once again, her existence was obliterated. Only this time it mattered. She lay down and meditated until she drifted into an uneasy sleep.

  Alex awoke to the sounds of arguing voices and Abby whining. She calmed Abby and made her stay in her bed, then went to the kitchen table and sat to watch the argument in progress. Her father and Joe were in a heated discussion regarding the length of time they were to remain in the safe house.

  “I’ve started having a life now.” Her father clenched his fists and gave her a quick glance before turning back to Joe. “I want to know how long we’re going to be here.”

  Joe looked as frustrated as she felt. “I’m not sure yet. I promise you I’m doing my best to find out. All I know is that the FBI found drugs in a warehouse near Novi, and that they’ve had someone undercover gathering evidence, and some of that evidence has something to do with you. I’m waiting to find out who passed on information regarding your safety and how credible a threat it is. My boss is in contact with the FBI and promises me a report soon.”

  “Soon? What does that mean?” Alex asked.

  Joe stood and retrieved three bottles of water from the refrigerator and set them on the table. “I’ll call again tonight and see what I can find out. And if someone calls me before that, I’ll let you know immediately.”

  Jennifer joined them at the table and Joe gave her his unopened bottle of water. “What’d I miss?” she asked.

  “I’ll fill her in, Joe,” Alex said. “You go find out what you can.” She touched his arm. “But please, at least get us a phone so we can let Debby and Phil know we’re okay.”

  He gave her a sad smile, and she knew that wasn’t going to happen. Letting anyone know where they were could put that person, as well as all of them, in jeopardy. She went back to the table and wrapped her arms around Jennifer.

  Just when I thought everything could be okay.

  *

  Debby tried Alex’s number for the millionth time when she got home from the airport. She had enjoyed the week with her mother and sister, but each day she couldn’t reach Alex increased her anxiety. There would be no reason she could imagine that would take this long for her phone to be out of order, and Kelly hadn’t been able to reach her either. It was as if Alex had just dropped off the face of the earth. She headed directly to her apartment after feeding Buddy.

  She knocked several times and waited ten minutes for Alex to answer the door, then went to Jennifer’s and repeated the process. Maybe they went to their father’s in Plymouth. She drove home to try to find him on the Internet, but first she sent an email to Alex, imploring her to at least let her know she was okay, even if she didn’t want to talk. She spent an hour on whitepages.com looking at every single Reed over thirty in Plymouth with a male first name and checked her email five times. Nothing. Alex was gone.

  She unpacked and started her laundry process, trying to imagine what reason Alex would have to disappear. It had felt like everything was going so well between them. Had she been wrong? She couldn’t believe that to be true. Surely Alex had felt the way she had. Self-doubt assailed her. But please let it be something between us, and she’s not hurt or in danger somewhere. She called Kelly while she was waiting for the dryer.

  “Hi, Deb. How was Phoenix?”

  “Great. I enjoyed my visit. Thanks for taking care of Shadow and Buddy for me while I was gone. How’re things at work?”

  “Everything’s decorated for Christmas. Janis put up the tree in the lobby, and all the residents have garlands and lights on their doors. You’re back on Monday, aren’t you?”

  “I’ll be there. Thanks for helping me try to find Alex, by the way. I still haven’t had any luck.”

  “That’s weird.”

  “I know. I’m really worried about her, and I have no idea what to think.” Debby sighed. “I’ll see you Monday morning.”

  She disconnected the call and went to check the dryer. Where are you, Alex?

  Chapter Twenty-five

  Debby reread her notes on medication therapy management for the third time. The deadline to register for the certified geriatric pharmacist examination was fast approaching, but she found it difficult to concentrate. She missed Alex and was thoroughly perplexed as to where she could be. She didn’t believe she would have left without telling her, but then, maybe she didn’t know her as well as she thought. The only conclusion Debby could come up with was that something had happened to her. But what about Jennifer? How could they disappear? Too many episodes of Criminal Minds had her imagining a serial killer kidnapping them. She couldn’t eat, and her sleep was filled with dreams of murky shadows and fear. Maybe she should call the police?

  She put her study guide aside and looked up the local police station’s number. The woman who answered politely explained that there was no record of anybody with the last name of Reed listed in their missing person’s reports, but did she want to file one? Debby declined, unsure whether that was the right thing to do, and remembered Jennifer’s boyfriend.

  “Could I speak to Officer Phillip Donohue please?” She held her breath.

  “We have a Detective Donohue ou
t of this precinct, but he’s out on assignment right now. Would you like to leave him a message?”

  “Yes. Please tell him to call me, Debra Johnson, as soon as he can.” Debby left her phone number with the woman and hung up. Maybe he would know what happened to Alex and Jennifer.

  Debby stopped by Kelly’s station on her way out and waited until she was done reviewing a chart with one of the other nurses.

  “Hi, Deb. You heading home?”

  “Yeah. I wanted to ask you something, if you have time.”

  “Sure. I’ll buy you a cup of tea in the cafeteria. You look a little ragged.”

  They sat at one of the tables in the nearly empty room.

  Kelly spoke first. “So, what’s up?”

  “I was hoping you might have more ideas as to how to find Alex.”

  Kelly regarded her for a minute. “She’s pretty important to you, isn’t she?”

  “Yeah. She is. I can’t believe she would go away without letting me know.” Debby took a deep breath and expelled it slowly. “Her sister hasn’t answered her door, either. I feel like something is really wrong.”

  “Okay. So what do we know for sure? The three of us were at the Big Drug dinner event. Was that the last time you saw her?”

  “Yes. I took her home and we kissed good night, then I left. I talked to her Sunday and told her I’d call when I got back from Mom’s. That’s the last time I talked to her.”

  “I don’t want you to take this the wrong way, but do you think there could be any chance she doesn’t want to see you?” Kelly rested her hand gently on her arm.

  “No…I…no! We were both looking forward to seeing each other again.” Debby reviewed their last conversation and came up with nothing to indicate Alex didn’t want to see her again. “Believe me, I’ve asked myself that question over and over again. But everything was really great. Maybe, if her sister hadn’t vanished too, I might look at that more seriously, but…no. Something is wrong.”