Macy poked at her lunch without enthusiasm. After her outburst, she remained immersed in her version of the story and she was just as certain Avery was waist deep in his side.
“After lunch, I’d also like to see if we can find Michelle. I don’t know where she lives now, but I know a few of her after work hangouts. Let’s swing by and see if she strolls in. I should have done this before, but I thought I had time. I had no idea English would put me on leave.” She shook her head. “I guess I thought they’d help me solve this riddle. Silly right?”
“No. I wasn’t expecting such severe action either. Don’t you think it’s a little early?” He glanced at his watch. “It’s not even six yet.”
“Michelle never worked until six p.m., and I don’t think she’s going to start now. Besides if she pocketed that money, she’s probably not working anywhere. She won’t need to work for a long time.”
Outside the restaurant Avery stopped. “Okay,” he said the word slow, not fully in agreement. “You’re calling the shots, so which way?”
“There’s a small bar on South Street that she liked to stop in after work. According to her, it had the hottest men and the cheapest drinks.”
“How often did she go there?”
“Several times a week. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have suggested we go there. This might not pan out, but I’m getting desperate.”
“No need to get snippy with me. Do you think that could be a reason for Michelle to quit?”
“I’m sorry. I’m stressed. Not just a little. I’m stressed by yards. I feel like I’m going to pop at the seams.”
“You don’t have to apologize. I understand this is difficult for you. Just don’t take your anxieties out on the person who has the most faith in you.”
For a moment she had a sliver of hope that he wasn’t like his father. That her judgement about him was right. He could be trusted and he was someone she could depend on. But the moment she softened toward him, she would open herself up again and being vulnerable came with consequences. Avery pulled into a parking garage. They walked down the stairs and onto South Street. She pointed out the bar.
“I’m not sure if we should wait inside or outside.”
“Inside. Definitely, inside. Let me buy you a drink.”
“I…I…”
“That wasn’t a question.” He held the door open for her. It was too early for the regulars to fill every inch of the taproom. Inside was dark, the space was tight, but at least it wasn’t crowded. They were able to get two stools at the bar close to the door. She ordered a glass of wine, and he had a dirty martini, with four olives.
“It seems strange drinking this early in the day,” she said, relaxing a bit. “I could get used to this kind of living.”
“Well, you just might be back to work real soon, so don’t get too used to drinking this early.” Avery pulled an olive from the toothpick in his drink and chewed it.
A band of light fell across the room when someone opened the door. Macy turned around and for a moment she locked eyes with Michelle.
“That’s her.” She grabbed Avery’s arm. The startled look on Michelle’s face said she wasn’t going to saunter over and have a little talk. Her eyes were so wide. She looked like she’d been smacked in the face with a bat. Even though Macy couldn’t hear her, she saw Michelle’s lips form the words oh shit.
Before Avery could place twenty dollars on the bar, Michelle took off. Macy rushed out the door in front of him. She spotted Michelle running, already a block away. “There she is.” Macy pointed to Avery when he came out.
Avery sprinted ahead. Even with her flats on, Macy couldn’t keep up with him, and Michelle had a head start. Macy slowed. Her lungs burned. Sitting behind a desk all day had turned her muscles into mush. She stopped and placed her hands on her knees.
She tried to keep up with Avery, to keep an eye on him. She couldn’t run fast enough. Sprinting wasn’t her thing. Avery disappeared around a corner. She stopped at the intersection to rest against the building.
Several minutes later Avery walked up behind her. “She took off down some side street, and I lost sight of her.”
“Now what?”
“Don’t worry.” He was panting.
“If she ran like that, she must have stolen the money, right.” Macy tried to catch her breath.
“Innocent people don’t run like that. We’ll hire an investigator. I know someone who can find her, and we’ll get some answers.”
“I can’t afford your ‘someone’ I couldn’t pay for lunch today.”
He stopped. His face was stern. “I didn’t ask you to pay.”
“I won’t take money from you, Avery.”
“I’m not offering you money, Macy. I’m offering you help.” He reached for her hand.
She pulled away and walked just ahead of him back to the parking garage. “Let’s ride around, maybe we’ll spot her.”