In Close (Bulletproof #3)(66)
Author: Brenda Novak

Carly stepped out of the shade and into the sun. Ill more often than not with a variety of maladies, some more than likely psychosomatic, Carly was wearing a robe. “I’m just trying to tell you it won’t do any good to keep knocking. He’s not home.”

Because she rarely left the house, Carly probably experienced more than her share of boredom. But did she have to be quite as nosy as she was? “You’re sure?” Claire yelled back. “His truck’s here.”

“I saw him leave with Donald Salter an hour ago.”

What would he want with Jeremy’s father? Claire hadn’t thought they knew each other all that well.

She crossed the street so she could talk to Carly without raising her voice. “I didn’t realize he and Don were friends.”

“Neither did I. Don doesn’t come around here very often.”

“Any idea where they might have gone?” It was none of her business, of course, but Claire figured she might as well learn as much as Carly would tell her. Carly didn’t care if she was inserting herself in matters that didn’t concern her; maybe she had information that would indicate when Joe might return.

“No clue. Joe keeps to himself. You know that.”

Probably better than anyone. How frustrating for a gossipmonger like Carly. “Right. Well—” she glanced at Joe’s closed-up house “—thanks for letting me know.”

“Want me to tell him you stopped by?”

It didn’t matter what Claire said; Carly would do it, anyway. No doubt she’d march over with the news as soon as he got home. “If you want.”

Claire started for her car, but Carly surprised her by speaking again.

“You hold it against me, don’t you?”

She pivoted. “Excuse me?”

“What I told the police about your mom.”

“That she and Joe were having an affair? I don’t hold it against you. I just don’t believe it’s true.”

“I didn’t say they were having an affair.” She went to the hose faucet, turned it on and began watering her roses. “I said she came over here. I saw her. I wasn’t lying about that.”

“So you’ve told me before.”

“But—” She hesitated.

“But?”

“Falling in love with someone other than her husband wouldn’t mean she’s a bad person.”

“Marital infidelity is hardly honorable.”

“Still, Joe’s been miserable with Lilly from the beginning. Maybe your mother was just as unhappy with Tug.”

“She could’ve divorced him.”

“She’d already failed at her first marriage. And he was a good father to you and your sister, so she probably felt guilty for not wanting him. Maybe she couldn’t face another divorce and got caught up in something that was bigger than she was.”

“That’s a very romantic view. Anyway, what makes you think Joe and Lilly are unhappy?”

“You don’t go to Idaho as often as she does unless you want to.”

“Her mother’s sick.”

“She has a sister who helps out a lot.”

Claire nibbled on her bottom lip. She didn’t feel good about looking for secrets and lies in other people’s lives. And yet…she needed to pull at any loose threads—the details that might lead to more. “Does Lilly believe her husband was cheating on her?” Claire had tried talking to Lilly, but she was even more closed than Joe. No matter what Claire asked, she’d reply, “I have nothing to say.”

“I believe she wouldn’t put it past him. She’s hanging on for the sake of their kids. Just between us, she’s said as much to me. Once they’re grown-up, in another four years or so, I see her moving to Idaho.”

Claire stared down the street, wondering at her mother’s feelings when she drove Leanne here the day she’d learned about the tape. She must have felt shock and horror. But what other emotions? Jealousy? Anger? Fear? Embarrassment? “Do you remember the Fishman family?” she asked.

“Of course.” Carly pointed at the house next to Joe’s.

Unfortunately, the Welches lived there these days and hadn’t taken care of the place, but it’d been a nice home once upon a time, certainly better than the smattering of old trailers that were so prevalent in the Thompson Chain of Lakes area.

“They lived right there for ten years,” she said.

“Leanne used to be good friends with Katie.”

“I remember that, too. She was over all the time. They used to take turns babysitting for Joe and Lilly.”

Which meant Joe had certainly had occasion to expose himself to Leanne, just as she’d had occasion to develop inappropriate fantasies, at least one of which she’d acted out.

“Yes, they’d just had Chantelle, their oldest. Hard to fathom it’s been that long.”

“Where do the Fishmans live now?” Claire asked. “Do you know?”

Other than a standard interview performed a couple of weeks after Alana’s disappearance, in which the Fishmans said they hadn’t noticed whether or not Alana’s car was ever parked at Joe’s house, they’d never been questioned. But that  p**n ographic video changed Claire’s level of interest in what they might have to say. Surely if Joe had made inappropriate advances toward Leanne, Leanne would’ve told Katie about it.

“They’re in Salt Lake,” Carly said. “I got a card from them last Christmas.”

“Katie’s there, too?”

“I’m not sure. She got married several years ago.”

Did she and Leanne still keep in touch? If so, Leanne hadn’t mentioned her for years. “Would you mind giving me their address?” Knowing she had to come up with a plausible reason, one that wouldn’t arouse Carly’s curiosity, she added, “I’d like to surprise Leanne with it.”

“That’s a great idea! I bet Katie would love to hear from her. Just a sec.” After handing Claire the hose, she went inside the house.

Before she could return, a car careered around the corner and sped down the street. It was Don, with Joe in the passenger seat. Claire doubted she would’ve recognized Jeremy’s father if he hadn’t been driving Jeremy’s car, a rattletrap Impala that was pretty unmistakable.

A moment later, Don whipped into Joe’s driveway and Joe got out. He glanced over, but then ducked his head and headed to the front door as if he couldn’t get in fast enough. Obviously, he’d recognized her and was running for cover.