While driving to her favorite bistro in Hawthorn Heights, unfortunately named the Scottish Ferret, Molly told Claudia over the phone, “His cell phone wasn’t in the pack, so they didn’t have his emergency contact information. He had written his name on the inside of a notebook, though: Trevor Collins.”
“Trevor Collins. I bet he’s a sweet boy,” Claudia tsked.
“I told the police that he said he went to Ohio University, so I’m sure they’ll figure out who he was. Can you imagine? His parents don’t even know yet. They’ll be so worried when they find out he’s missing and without his gear.”
“Oh, his poor parents. But look at you helping the detectives.”
“I’m not sure they were detectives, just police officers. But we were the last people he talked to, Claud. I almost feel responsible somehow.”
“Molly, you are so not responsible for whatever happened to that boy, and you know it. You had nothing to do with it.” Claudia’s firm tone and decisiveness often had a way of shutting down Molly’s worry.
“I just feel really connected to it all. It’s so horrible and I’m so worried about him.” She paused for a beat as she turned into the parking lot. “I’m pulling in now, and I see Scott. You’ll be here in a few?”
“Yep, we’re almost there.”
Molly had agreed with Scott that their late dinner should become a night out with both Claudia and Scott instead of Molly’s separate dinner at home and dessert plans at the restaurant. At the last minute, Claudia invited her new boyfriend, Craig. Molly wasn’t sure that this emotionally charged day was the best time to meet someone new, but she was glad Claudia wasn’t putting off the introductions any longer. As she drove slowly through the parking lot, looking for an open spot, Molly wiped her sweaty palms on her jeans and turned the steering wheel with one hand, alternating left to right. Claudia had been dating Craig for a month already, but Molly hadn’t met him yet. As she pulled into a parking bay, she let out a long breath, thinking about her friend’s past bad luck with relationships. Just under three years ago, Claudia’s fiancé had left her days before their wedding, and the most recent man had stolen money from her. Molly hoped Craig had a better moral compass and that the relationship had some staying power.
Scott, always early, was waiting for her. This time, he patiently watched her walk through the parking lot. She could see the worry line between his gray eyes, showing that he, too, was feeling the heaviness of the day. As they embraced, Molly exhaled a deep sigh into his chest, resting her forehead against his end-of-the-day stubble, smelling the familiar spicy scent of his cologne. She felt muscles in her back relax that she hadn’t even realized were tense.
Molly’s mood shifted further out of despair as she settled into her seat in the Scottish Ferret. The well-known smells of fried food and fresh ground coffee wafted over her. She welcomed the corny plaid wall hangings and little flags at the tables. Molly already knew she’d be ordering the fish tacos, and Scott would act like he’d order something different but would settle on his regular burger with zucchini fries. Claudia would get either soup and salad or the fish tacos too. They’d all split the chocolate dessert of the day and order decaf coffee. Predictability felt good on a day like this one.
Scott was engrossed in the menu when Claudia led Craig to their table.
“Molls!” Claudia said at the same time Molly squealed, “Claud!” Their greeting was always a hard, swaying hug. Scott stood up to shake Craig’s hand, and Claudia made formal introductions.
“It’s so good to meet you, Craig,” Molly told him, making herself smile more than she felt she could.
“I’m happy to be here,” he replied. He pulled out Claudia’s chair for her and pushed it in. Scott gave an ever-so-slight approving nod to Molly, who returned a tiny nod in reply, with an eyebrow arched. This seemed good.
Craig Murdstone was a lot taller than she’d expected, even when he was sitting down, and had very short brown hair with a thinning spot in the back. He was attractive in his own way, Molly decided.
“Claudia says you just moved here,” Scott said. “How do you like the area? You have a place here in Hawthorn Heights?”
“It’s great. I am here in town. Been trying to get my rented house in order,” Craig replied. “The gardening hasn’t been agreeing with me.” He raised his right hand, which had a bandage on his knuckle. “I just took a position at the local college as a math professor. This quiet town is the perfect place to prepare for classes before the semester starts.” Molly and Scott nodded their agreement.
“Craig has a PhD in applied mathematics from Florida Tech,” Claudia boasted. Having no interest in or knowledge of math, Molly found her head was heavier as she continuing to nod with less enthusiasm.
“I’ve been working my way north, it seems,” Craig told the table. “I’ve taught at a few other universities, but I’m really hoping to get tenure here.”
Before the conversation continued, Claudia made sure everyone had decided on their food selection. Scott and Molly ordered their usual and expected meals. Molly’s mouth was watering for her fish tacos, and her stomach growled. When Claudia and Craig told their young waitress they wanted Cobb salads, Scott and Molly exchanged raised eyebrows, and Molly slightly pursed her lips.
While they waited for their meals, Scott and Craig discovered they were both runners.
“I really love running on the Buckeye Trail,” Scott said. “There are a few spots on the trail farther from town that have less gravel with rough spots and I have to slow down. I prefer not to run on dirt or mud, usually. But the trails right behind Patty’s Plant Place are great, well maintained.”
Craig took a sip of his beer and swallowed before answering. “I’ll have to check the trail out. I do like running on trails, but it’s nice to just start and end at home in the neighborhood. I haven’t found any paved trails nearby yet. Do you know of any?”
“The local Park District has some nice, paved, flat trails on the other side of Hawthorn Heights. They link up to more trail systems too, but nothing goes as far as the Buckeye Trail, which makes a circle within the entire state.”
“It’s really popular. We get a lot of tourists in town because of the Buckeye Trail,” Claudia told Craig.
Molly gave a quiet “Uh-huh” in agreement and then chimed in, “My magazine editor arrived in town today, and it looks like he might have bought new hiking boots just to hike the trail.”
“Oh, Archie got here today?” Scott asked, hunching his shoulders a bit.” He’s going to the Home and Garden Show for the weekend, right?”
“He actually arrived right before the police. He stayed in the shop for an hour or so once they got there.”
“Why did he stay so long?” Scott asked. “I’m surprised they didn’t kick him out or something.”
“I don’t know,” Molly responded. “They didn’t know who he was right away. I just met him in person today. They wanted all of us to stay to answer questions.”
“It’s always nice to meet people in the flesh instead of only having virtual relationships,” Scott said.
“Craig and I met online,” Claudia announced, as if Molly and Scott didn’t know this detail about her relationship.
“Well, Archie always seems a bit too friendly to me, emailing when it’s just not needed,” Scott said, and then changed the subject to the Cleveland baseball season.