Almost Dead

CHAPTER 54

 

“Just like old times,” Hayley said to Jessica as they pulled up to the curb outside Chalkor’s house.

 

“Yeah, just like old times.”

 

“How’s Magnus doing?” Magnus Vitalis was a DEA agent and a man Jessica had been very fond of even before he’d thrown himself in front of her at Lizzy’s wedding and taken a bullet to the spine for his efforts.

 

“He’s not adjusting well,” Jessica said. “He’s angry. The doctors have told him he’ll never walk. He’s not ready to accept that prognosis.”

 

Hayley shook her head and listened.

 

“Some days I find myself babying him, doing every little thing for him, but on the other days I do my best to practice tough love. The physical therapists told me to let him do things. They want him to keep his muscles strong. The joints need to stay limber, and they want Magnus to keep active. So when I insist he do things for himself, we fight.”

 

“I’m sorry. That sucks.”

 

“Yeah, it does.”

 

With nothing else to say, they both exited the car.

 

The house looked well kept, the trees trimmed and the walkway swept. The grass was weed-free and newly mowed.

 

“Here we go,” Hayley said, then knocked on the door.

 

“Who is it?” The woman answered immediately, as though she’d been waiting for them right on the other side of the door.

 

“My name is Hayley. It’s very important that we talk to Mr. Chalkor.”

 

“Go away.”

 

“If you don’t talk to us, we’ll have no choice but to make a call and get the police involved.”

 

The door inched open. “What did he do now?”

 

She was heavyset. Blonde. Deep grooves made from her permanent frown were plastered across her face.

 

“Is he inside?” Hayley asked.

 

“No, but I’m his wife. Tell me what’s going on.”

 

“A friend of ours is missing. She drives a new Ford Escape and—”

 

“The girl who’s been parked across the street off and on for two weeks taking pictures?”

 

“That would be her.”

 

“I have no idea where your friend is.”

 

Jessica flashed her badge. “FBI.”

 

“Shit.”

 

“I guess that means you know something?”

 

The woman looked down and away and locked her arms across her stomach. Then she released a sharp, tense breath through her nose and looked up at Jessica. “I just know that he was gone for most of the day yesterday,” she said in a low voice. “He needed to get some tools from the warehouse. I also know I haven’t seen the girl in the past few days.”

 

“Does he work at a warehouse?”

 

“Oh, no. The warehouse is a run-down building that we invested every penny into when we were first married. If he had sold it when I told him, too, we’d be living the good life about now.”

 

“Could you give us the address?”

 

She looked suddenly pensive. “You don’t seriously think my husband would have anything to do with your missing friend, do you?”

 

“Why don’t you give us the address,” Jessica said, “and let us check it out.”

 

“What if I refuse?”

 

“We’ll be forced to call for backup and they’ll haul your ass down to the station for further questioning,” Hayley told her. “It’s up to you.”

 

Hayley also knew she could do another Internet search and find out any and all properties the Chalkors had ever owned, but that would take precious time they didn’t have.

 

“It’s 11500 Sunco Drive, Rancho Cordova.”

 

“Do you have a key to the place?”

 

“My husband is the only one with a key, but he’s not home.”

 

“When will he be back?”

 

The woman sighed. “Your guess is as good as mine.”