We’re a couple miles from the Carlaw ranch when Zane pulls off the gravel road and into the driveway of a small, ancient farmhouse. “The lights are on. He’s still up.”
“Who?”
“Rev.”
“The cousin convicted of assaulting Abigail’s boyfriend?”
Zane nods. “I'm going to tell him about the bicycle and see how he reacts.”
“What if he reacts by pulling out a gun?”
“Rev won’t do that. He’s not crazy or scary.”
Unlike David, I almost say. “You think that now but have you ever accused him of anything?”
“No, and I’m not going to accuse him now either. I’m just going to gauge his reaction is all.”
My every instinct is telling me this is a bad idea. David didn’t exactly welcome our questions and I don’t imagine Rev will either. “It’s ten o’clock. Too late to be visiting.”
“Now you sound like my mom. Anyway, the lights are on and he doesn’t have kids to wake up.”
“What about a wife?”
“No.”
“Live-in girlfriend?”
“Not that I know of. I don’t see any extra cars here.”
There’s a pick-up parked in front of us and a white work truck in front of the barn. “So, no witnesses if he decides to knock us off.”
“You watch too many crime shows.”
“I don’t actually.”
“Rev’s never been in any trouble, aside from what he supposedly did to Ty Ramsey.”
Supposedly? “If you don’t think he did anything wrong, why is his name on your suspect list?.”
“Those are all just possibilities, not based on solid evidence.”
“Even so, I think I’d rather not be with you when you–”
“Too late. He knows we’re here.”
Sure enough, there’s a giant of a man standing on the front step looking our way, no doubt wanting to know who is paying him a visit at ten o’clock. “Is it me or is Rev really big?”
“Huge.”
“So he doesn’t need a gun. He could snuff out our lives with his bare hands.”
Zane pats my leg. “It’s going to be fine. You’ll see.”
Once again, curiosity beats out concern. I get out of the car, and walk across the lawn with Zane.
Rev looks even bigger up close. At least six and a half feet tall, with the broad shoulders that seem to be a standard Carlaw feature.
“Hey. Sorry to bother you so late, but we were just at the ranch and David said you were living here now, and that you bought the place.”
Rev nods.
“There’s an apartment above the barn isn’t there?”
Another nod.
“Are you planning to rent it out?”
“Maybe.” He steps back from the doorway, wordlessly, and somewhat reluctantly, I suspect, inviting us in.
Zane goes first. He’s holding the photo of Abigail on the bicycle beneath his phone, obviously trying to keep it hidden for now. This is why I’ve always thought ‘man purses’ should be socially acceptable.
There’s a fire in the fireplace, a big screen television playing a rom com from ten years ago, a comfortable-looking brown corduroy sofa, a plate of half eaten nachos and a water glass on the coffee table.
“This is Kalico.” Zane touches my shoulder. “She’s one of Granddad’s caregivers.”
“I’m sorry.”
I look up at Rev to see if he’s joking, but there’s no hint of humor in his brown eyes, only a touch of what appears to be sympathy.
“JB’s a pain in the ass for sure but I’ve gotten used to him.”
“That’s good.”
Rev is not what anyone would call handsome. HIs features are too exaggerated for that–thick Neanderthal brow, large nose, and an overly square face– but he’s not entirely unattractive either.
We’re all looking at each other waiting for someone to say something.
Rev speaks up. “The apartment is in rough shape. It’ll be a while before I get it fixed up enough to rent out.”
He must think that’s why we’re here.
Zane responds. “It’ll be worth it when you do. There’s a shortage of rentals around here. Lots of people are looking.”
Rev nods. He doesn’t seem to be much of a talker.
“How many acres is this place?”
“Eight.”
“Nice. It couldn’t have been cheap.”
“Business is good.”
“What do you do?” I ask.
“I own a tree trimming business.”
“Oh.” I don’t know what else to say.
Zane shuffles from one foot to the other.
A burst of canned laughter erupts from the television and we all look up at the screen. We’re just in time to see the very attractive actress whip off her dress and throw herself at the hero. They land on the bed, the woman on top. She’s not entirely naked, but close to it in only a skimpy bra and a thong.
We all look away from the screen at the same time, avoiding each other’s eyes.
After a few seconds, I sneak a peek at Rev, see him eyeing the plate on the coffee table. “Sorry we interrupted your snack.”
Rev shrugs one massive shoulder, looking over my head rather than meeting my gaze. “No worries.”
I step closer to Zane, let my arm brush against his, hoping he’ll take the hint and either ask Rev about the bike or find another way to end this painfully awkward visit.
Zane moves the photo out from under his phone. My heart starts to race. He’s going to do it.
“So uh, Kalico found this photo in JB’s room. I thought since you knew Abigail Olsen...” Zane leaves the thought unfinished.
Rev takes the photo. His eyes widen. “JB had this?”
“It was stashed in the back of another photo of her that was in his room. Have you seen it before?”
“No.”
“Do you remember the bicycle?”
“Yeah. Why?”Zane holds up his phone showing Rev the photo we took in the barn earlier, so he can compare the two. “It’s in the old barn, locked in a cabinet.”
Rev looks from one photo to the other. “Why are you showing me this?”
He sounds mad, or hurt maybe.
“I thought since you knew Abigail you’d find it interesting.”
“Interesting?”
“Or disturbing. David thinks Abigail left her bike at the ranch and someone put it in the barn in case she came back for it someday, but that doesn’t make much sense.”
“You showed this to David?”
“I did because it looks to me like someone didn’t want the bike found.”
“And now here you are, expecting an explanation.”
The room is humming with tension. Zane may not have planned on making any accusations but Rev is clearly taking it that way. I can’t say I blame him.
“I just thought…” Zane doesn’t seem to know how to finish the thought.
Rev walks to the front door, opens it, and tells us to get the hell out without saying a word. I can’t help noticing that he’s still holding the photo of Abigail on the bicycle.
Zane stays put. “Don’t take this the wrong way. I figured you of all people would want to know what really happened to Abigail.”
Rev doesn’t answer, just stands there, as silent and immobile as a mountain.
I can take a hint. As I walk through the door Rev gives me the slightest nod. “Nice to meet you Kalico. Good luck with JB.”
“Thanks.”
Zane follows me out.
Rev doesn’t say a word to him, just closes the door firmly behind us.
In the car, Zane strums his fingers on the steering wheel. “Do you think he’s guilty of something or just really pissed off that I would even ask him about it?”
“I think he wanted the photo.”
“What? Oh shit. He didn’t give it back.”
“Nope.”
Zane jumps out of the car and strides up to the door. I stay put, but roll down the window hoping to hear what’s said but it’s a quick, quiet exchange.
When Zane gets to the car he opens the back door and carefully puts the photo in his backpack.
“What did Rev say?”
“Nothing. He just handed it back. He knows something. I’m sure he does.”
“That would be my guess too.”
Zane puts the car in reverse and backs onto the gravel road. “The question is, what do I do about it?”
I can’t tell if he’s asking me or asking himself but I answer anyway. “I’d say go to the police if he wasn’t your cousin.”
“Is that how you think?”
“What do you mean?”
“You would protect a relative even if you thought they’d committed a crime?”
I think of my sister, and what happened when we were in high school, the covering up part. “Yes.”
“And if you thought this relative had something to do with an innocent teenage girl disappearing?”
I see Abigail again, posing seductively. “How can you be so sure she was innocent?”
Zane’s head jerks back, as if the words are an assault on him personally. “Whether she was or she wasn’t, I can’t ignore this. If it could lead to finding Abigail, I have to pursue it.”
Finding Abigail, not finding out what happened to her. “You believe she’s alive?”
“Yes. I have to.”
He can’t bear the thought of her being dead. Did she mean that much to him?
“This might sound like a dumb question, but has anyone actually looked for Abigail?”
“I’ve searched online. There are a lot of Abigail Olsens living in the United States and none of them are her. She must be using a fake name.”
Hail is plinking against the windshield. “Are you telling me you’ve checked out every Abigail Olsen in the country?”
There’s a pause and then Zane releases a deep breath. “A couple of years ago, I became sort of obsessed with the idea of finding her. I wanted to write a long story, or maybe even a book about her, depending on what I found. But I didn't find much. That’s why the bicycle is so important.”
A bolt of lightning, silences me for a minute. We’re in front of my apartment building when I ask. “So, why do you care so much about Abigail?”
“She was…” Zane shakes his head. “I don’t know how to put it.”
“You’re a journalist. Aren’t words your thing?”
He sighs. “My mom said you could be like this.”
“Like what.”
“A bit um, blunt.”
“I thought you said Sherry likes me.”
“Oh, she does. I didn’t mean anything bad. She just said you’re a little rough around the edges.”
That’s how Sherry sees me? Does everyone else at work say the same thing about me? Should I pretend to be surprised by this? No, there’s no point in it. “Yeah, that’s me alright. Blunt bitch.”
“My mom would never call you that.”
“No, she’s too nice.”
Thunder cracks open the sky. I jump, let out an embarrassing little yelp and hug myself.
Zane puts his arm around me. “You’re trembling.”
“It’s cold. I should go in.”
“Are you cold or scared?”
I consider saying something smart ass and change my mind. “I’ve never liked storms.”
“Do you want me to come in for a while, and keep you company?”
I should say no because it’s late, and I have to work in the morning. I should say this, but I don’t.
(Thanks for reading. If you’re enjoying the story please like and share. Comments are always welcome!)
Another lovely chapter! I’m loving this story💛
You're very welcome.