Disappear

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“The subject hung up. The number was private. It originated from Austin, in Texas—”

His chest suddenly felt as if someone had put a vise around it and was squeezing hard. Gabriel interrupted the woman’s mechanical voice, his own a growl. “She didn’t say anything? Are you sure?”

“No verbal communication was recorded.”

Gabriel digested the answer, his brain flashing through a thousand possibilities, none of them good. In the silence that followed, the woman spoke again.

“Do you have instructions?”

“If she calls back, give her this number.” Gabriel read off his cell phone number. “Then you call me and let me know she phoned. Try to get her to talk to you.”

“Anything else?”

Find out what’s happened and why she’s calling me after all these years. Ask her if she still hates me. Ask her if she’s okay.

Ask her if she can ever forgive me.

“No,” he said after a long moment. “That’s all.”

He punched the end key on the phone and stuffed the tiny unit into his pocket, stunned disbelief coming over him. Why now? What was going on with Alexis that she was desperate enough to call him?

Totally disconcerted, Gabriel walked out to the sandy beach. At the water’s edge he stopped and stared. The Pacific rolled in and out as steadily as it had before, but all at once the waves looked more hazardous, the empty blackness more menacing.

The world was suddenly a more dangerous place.

ALEX FINGERED the silken teddy, her eyes searching the lingerie department for Libby. Ben’s daughter had pointed out the expensive pink and ivory confection when they’d first seen it, and Alex had decided right then it would make the perfect Christmas present for the young woman. Looking around, Alexis spotted Libby’s tall form and red hair in the next section—she’d already moved on to the sweaters. Quickly locating the proper size, Alex took her selection to the counter and waited in line to pay for it, her mind slipping away from the task at hand and back to the subject she most wanted to forget.

A week had passed since she’d called Gabriel O’Rourke, and every day she’d cursed herself for being so stupid. She’d hung up without saying a word, but why on earth had she even dialed the number? It had been a ridiculous move and pointless as well. There had to be some reasonable explanation for why her drawing was missing. Her apartment had been locked and nothing else disturbed. No one could have gotten in without picking the lock, and why do that without stealing anything but a sketch? She must have put the picture somewhere and just forgotten about it. She’d been completely stressed out the past few weeks—it was entirely possible she’d done just that. Scary but possible.

The feeling had persisted—intensified even—that someone was watching her and maybe following her, as well. She’d even thought she’d seen a figure dressed in black standing beside her car the other night after she’d left the movies. She’d managed to convince herself she’d been imagining that, too, but…

Someone said something to her and Alex realized she was at the head of the line and others behind her were waiting. Paying for her purchase, she slipped the box into her larger shopping bag and stepped away, determined not to think anymore about her situation.

She found Libby at a display counter, her hand caressing a blue cashmere pullover.

“That’s gorgeous,” Alex said, reaching out and touching the sweater. “The color matches your eyes perfectly. Why don’t you try it on?”

Libby looked up from the sweater then around at the confusion of people and decorations. Usually outgoing and happy, she shook her head dejectedly as “Jingle Bells” blared from overhead speakers. “I’m just not in the mood, Alex. Christmas is going to be so sad…I don’t want any presents.”

Alex smiled gently and put her hand on top of Libby’s fingers. “I know, sweetheart, and I understand completely. But your dad doesn’t feel that way. He wants you to have a good Christmas.”

“A good Christmas isn’t possible. Not with him so sick.”

“I feel the same way, but your dad’s feelings are the ones we need to worry about right now.” She picked up the cashmere and handed it to the young woman. “Go try it on. Then come out and show me.”

Libby nodded reluctantly and Alex watched as she headed for the dressing rooms, her heart breaking over everything Libby was having to go through. The girl wasn’t at all prepared to lose Ben and had no idea what to do. Her mother had passed away during childbirth and Ben had pampered his only child ever since, trying to make up for the loss, his own and hers. Because of this overindulgence, Libby had never been responsible for anyone, including herself. She was naive and idealistic, a college student without goals. And soon she’d be all alone.

Alex turned back to the sweaters, emotion twisting in her stomach. She’d been younger than Libby when she’d run off with Esteban, but her return home had matured her quickly. Too quickly.

Libby came out of the back and saved Alex from further thought. The sweater looked as lovely as Alex had known it would and she bought it immediately. Ben had handed her his credit card and told her to get whatever caught Libby’s eye. But so far, not much had. She was too despondent.

They shopped a few more hours, then Alex drove Libby home. She and Ben lived off Town Lake in an expensive enclave of huge homes. Ben had been a stockbroker until he’d been forced by his illness to quit. He hadn’t needed to work at that point but he’d enjoyed it. When Libby invited her in, Alex didn’t have the heart to turn her down. The house felt empty and silent with Ben so sick. She couldn’t imagine how quiet the enormous place must seem to Libby.

They went in through the back, stopping for a minute to talk to Margaret, the housekeeper. She’d been with the family for quite some time and Alex was grateful that at least she was there to help keep Libby company.

Climbing the stairs to the upper floor, Alex girded herself. Each time she saw Ben it seemed as if he’d shrunk another inch or two, his tall and robust frame becoming smaller and smaller. His attitude was always terrific, though, and today was no exception.

“Hey!” he said, brightening up the minute they walked into his bedroom. “How are my two favorite girls? Did you spend all my money? I hope you did.”