Free A.L. Jambor - Where's Audrey? by A.L. Jambor Page A

vacation.”
    “Yup, and I hadn’t planned on coming here. My grandmother paid for my ticket.”
    “She’s Audrey’s sister?”
    “Yes. I call her Nana Grace because she’s my great-grandmother.”
    “It was nice of her to pay your fare here.”
    “She did it because she wanted me to check on Audrey.” The server brought their drinks. “The truth is, I didn’t have any plans, so when she asked me to do this, I thought, what the hell?”
    “And your friend is staying down here.”
    “Lisa. Yes. Her dad owns a time share on Clearwater Beach. She asks me every year. This is the first time I’ve come close.”
    “Do you live alone?” he asked.
    “Right now, yes.”
    “So do I.”
    Their food came and they ate in silence for a while. Mel studied Conner’s face. His eyes were set apart by a perfectly shaped nose. He looked like one of those models in GQ.
    “Why did you become a cop?” she asked. “You don’t look like one.”
    “I always wanted to be one. I like putting the bad guys in jail.”
    “What if they aren’t guilty?”
    “That’s what the system is for. The state attorney’s office.”
    “I hope you can get this guy.”
    “That’s why I’m taking my time.”
    They both ate too much and left the restaurant. He drove her back to her car.
    “I have to work tomorrow,” he said. “I can check out Jason Frye Sr. in the computer. Maybe I can talk to the investigating officer.”
    “You still don’t have enough to take this to your supervisor, do you?”
    “If the kid had killed the old man, or if we suspected he had, maybe. That’s why I have to talk to the cops who did the invest.”
    “I’m gonna try to see my friend again tomorrow, but I’ll have my phone with me.”
    “If I find out anything, I’ll call.”
    He watched her get out of the car and into hers. She looked sad. He wanted to help her. He wanted to find out what had happened to her aunt, but he still didn’t believe the outcome would be good.

Chapter 11
    Mel woke up with the cat on her head. He was purring and kneading her. She pushed him off and turned over onto her back. Vera wasn’t up yet, but the sun was shining in the front window. Mel’s phone was charging on the table next to the sofa. She reached for it, disconnected it, and turned it on. It was seven.
    There was a message from Lisa and one from her grandmother. She listened to them. Lisa was sorry, but she had met a hot guy and had been distracted. She promised it wouldn’t happen again if Mel wanted to come to the beach. Her grandmother said she would be home if Mel needed to call.
    Mel didn’t feel like going to the beach. She wanted to go back to Audrey’s neighborhood and talk to the people living on her street. She wasn’t sure it would do any good, but she had to do something. The not knowing was killing her.
    She heard Vera open her bedroom door. The cat ran to the hallway. Soon, she saw Vera hobbling into the kitchen. Vera saw Mel was awake.
    “Good morning,” she said.
    “Morning,” Mel said.
    “Would you like coffee this morning?” Vera asked.
    “Please,” Mel said.
    “I’m almost out. I have to go to the store.”
    “I can take you,” Mel said.
    “You’re sure you don’t mind?” Vera asked.
    “Not at all.”
    “That would be very nice. It would save me paying for a taxi.” Vera filled the coffeemaker and took some things out of the fridge. “Have you found out anything more about Audrey?”
    “Not really. We still don’t know where she is.”
    “Did you spend the whole day with the policeman?”
    “Yup.” Mel sat up and put her feet on the floor. “We found out that the kid living there had forged his name on the title to her home.”
    “Well, that’s something. Can’t they arrest him for that?”
    “Conner, the policeman, said it’s not enough to arrest him for. We have to have more of a case.”
    “Well, I guess he knows what he’s doing. What would you like for breakfast?”
    “Do you have some cereal?”