“Months.”
Rachel laughed bitterly.
“Months.”
“We searched canyon roads.”
“Hospitals.”
“Jails.”
“Morgues.”
“Mexico.”
“You think we stopped caring?”
“You stopped coming.”
Bear froze.
“What?”
Rachel looked toward the door.
Then back.
“He told me something happened at the club.”
“When?”
“The week before he disappeared.”
“What happened?”
“He wouldn't tell me.”
“He came home angry.”
“Said he had discovered somebody had been using club charity accounts.”
Bear’s expression changed.
Rachel noticed.
“You didn't know.”
“No.”
“He said it involved someone he trusted.”
“Who?”
“He never told me.”
Bear’s mind raced through faces.
Old members.
Some dead.
Some gone.
Rachel continued.
“The night he disappeared, he told me he was meeting that person.”
Bear felt cold despite the heat.
“Did you tell police?”
“Yes.”
“They told me there was no evidence.”
“Then some members of your club came around.”
“Who?”
“I don't remember names.”
“What did they say?”
“That Evan had problems.”
“That he might have run.”
“That I should stop asking questions.”
Bear stared.
No Dust Reaper he knew would have said that.
Unless—
“Describe them.”
Rachel looked irritated.
“It was twelve years ago.”
“Try.”
She described one.
Short.
Heavy beard.
Snake tattoo around left forearm.
Bear’s stomach dropped.
Curtis Vale.
Former treasurer.
Expelled from the club ten years ago for stealing charity funds.
Two years after Evan disappeared.
Bear sat on the porch step.
Rachel watched.
“You know him.”
“Yeah.”
“Who?”
Bear looked at her.
“Someone we should have suspected earlier.”
Rachel hugged herself.
“Why are you here?”
Bear held out the metal tin.
Rachel stared.
“What is that?”
“Evan left it.”
Her breathing changed.
“When?”
“I don't know.”
“Before he disappeared?”
“Probably.”
Bear showed her the three letters.
Rachel saw hers.
Her hand flew to her mouth.
Then she saw the third.
FOR MY CHILD, IF I EVER GET LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE ONE.
Rachel began crying.
Not quietly.
The front door opened.
Caleb stood there.
“Mom?”
Rachel turned quickly.
Too late.
He saw the photograph.
Saw Evan.
Then looked at Bear.
“Who is that?”
Nobody answered.
Caleb stepped outside.
“Mom.”
Rachel wiped her face.
“Go inside.”
“No.”
“Caleb.”