Free Discovering Normal by Cynthia Henry Page A

sink. “Beth…”
    Beth grabbed the lapel of his sport coat. “Jack, I need to know. Maybe I can figure some things out if you’ll just tell me. Who was it?”
    Jack glanced around and then back to her. “Anita Borden.”
    The 38, 24, 36 barmaid who said a polite hello to Beth every time she saw her in the grocery store and then sent an unmistakable glare her way when she thought she was no longer looking.
    “Just once?”
    “Just the other night and he was sick about it.”
    Deej stepped to Beth’s side. “Another reason there, Bethie.”
    Beth released the lapel and swatted at her eyes. “I don’t have a yellow legal pad anywhere in this house. There’s not one here.”
    “Maybe he picked one up, or got the paper somewhere else?”
    Beth took the napkin Ramona handed her and sounded a mighty blow. “Can you just investigate, please? Go to Anita Borden’s and see if she gave him a sheet of yellow legal paper.”
    “Beth,” Deej whispered. “This isn’t a criminal investigation, honey. It’s a sad thing and I know you’re feeling shit that I can’t even imagine, but there’s no crime here. Just an unhappy man who couldn’t take it anymore.”
    Beth stamped her foot and felt approximately twelve, but she didn’t care. “I have to go tell his children that their father is dead, Deej, and I won’t do that until I’m certain myself.”
    Larry pushed a button on his radio. “We’re looking high and low for his body, Beth. You know how ruthless that terrain can be when you venture just a little bit off the beaten path. He could be any one of a thousand places.”
    “But why would he leave a note and then wander away so we couldn’t find him?”
    Deej pulled her arm and turned her to face him. “Bethie, we don’t know the answer to that. But you’re in denial here, sweetheart. He’s gone.”
    And then the grief moved over to make room for fury. “How can you give up on him? You’ve seen so many unbelievable situations, Deej. How can you not believe that something just isn’t right? You know Chris almost as well as I do. He would never, ever do this.”
    “The handwriting is his, Bethie.”
    “I don’t care!”
    Deej sighed and plopped into one of the kitchen chairs. It creaked under his heavy frame. “Officer Thomas, could you please have someone check out Ms. …” his voice trailed. He’d forgotten the slut’s name.
    “Borden,” Beth said.
    “Borden’s home and interview everyone who saw or spoke with Chris last night.”
    “I can help with that,” Jackson said. “I was with him until last call.”
    “Thank you,” Beth whispered and sat down too because she couldn’t remember how to stand for a moment more.
    “What can I do?” Ramona asked as she squatted beside Beth.
    Beth tilted her head toward Deej. “How are we approaching this, Captain? Do I tell my children and my in-laws, or do we wait quietly and see if I’m right?”
    Deej closed his eyes, sighed and exhaled. “Tell his family that the press may get hold of this and whatever they hear, to just hold on. There may be more to it. Tell your parents not to say anything to the kids until we know more.”
    “I can call everyone,” Ramona said and hopped up as if she were grateful that she finally had some use.
    The room was empty then--just Beth and Deej and all of the uncertainty. “I’m sorry, Deej, but something isn’t right.”
    “You’re a helluva profiler, Beth and that’s the only reason that I’m allowing this. I came because it’s procedure and because you’re my friends, but nothing seems amiss. If I didn’t love you and that stupid SOB husband of yours, I’d be back on a plane heading for Boston right now. Do you understand me?”
    “Yes.”
    “And we will deem this a suicide as soon as I am convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that that’s what it is. Do you understand me now?”
    “Yes,” Beth said in a ridiculously tiny voice.
              “All right then.” He crossed