Page 34 of Vanish From Sight

“Why would I? She returned last time. A few months later, but she eventually came home.”

Noah glanced across the sparkling lake. “Last time. How long after she left was it before you found out she was at the shelter?”

“Within a day. I got worried. I called her parents. They hadn’t seen her. I phoned a few friends. No luck. I then got a call from her work. Alexander Hawthorne told me she was there and she didn’t want to see me but she wanted me to know she was safe.”

“And this time? You didn’t think to call the workplace?”

“Like I said. I figured it was the same.” He paused. “Detective, do you know how humiliating it is to call a prestigious school and ask where your wife is because she hasn’t come home? Then to find out that she was staying in a women’s shelter?” He shook his head. “Even after she came back, it wasn’t the same. The way people looked at me. Oh, they might have said they understood but somewhere in the back of their mind, I know they were thinking — did I lay a hand on her? What did I do so terrible that she felt she had to go to a shelter? The truth is, Mr. Sutherland, I don’t even know. But one thing I do know, is I didn’t lay one finger on her. I never even got up in her face. The only reason she didn’t go to her parents was because they would have sent her right back to me. And she wasn’t in the frame of mind to be here. I’m not excusing my contribution to her mental decline but I am saying that I wasn’t the sole reason why she upped and walked out that door. Yet it was made to look that way because is she really going to blame her job or a loss in the family?” He took a deep breath. “Look, has she told you whenshe might be back? Given you a number? I tried to contact her cell but never got a response.”

“Mr. Evans. You have a dog, yes?”

“Sonny?”

He nodded.

Noah continued. “Your wife never updated the registration.”

“Registration? I don’t know about that. It was her decision to bring the dog home. I was against it. You know — what with our busy schedule and all.”

“You work for the bank in High Peaks.”

“That’s right. And she…”

“Was at the Academy.”

Nicholas nodded, his gaze bouncing again.

“I mean if we had children, maybe I would have been all for keeping a dog. Especially if the kids were old enough to look after it but… look, what is going on and where is Sonny?”

“In good hands.”

He got this puzzled look on his face. “He’s not with Katherine?” There was a moment of confusion and then he staggered back as if a picture was forming in his mind. “Oh God. No. No. She didn’t.”

“Mr. Evans?”

“Did she do it?”

“Do what?”

“Harm herself. The woman recently pulled from the lake. Was that her?”

“What would make you think that?”

“Well, it’s been in the news. Please. Is it her?”

“We still need to confirm through dental records but… based on a photo from her work, we have reason to believe so.” Right there and then, Nicholas broke down. His legs buckled beneath him.

10

Monday, November 21, 10:45 a.m.

As steam swirled above their cups, Noah and Callie studied Nicholas’ face, searching for any sign of guilt or deceit after being told that his wife’s body was pulled from the lake.

Although they’d assisted him inside, now his demeanor was composed, almost eerily so. Shock could give the illusion that someone didn’t care even if they did. Nicholas sipped his coffee quietly, avoiding their gaze. Noah cleared his throat and leaned forward, breaking the uneasy silence.

“Is there someone we can call to be with you?”

“No. Well. My parents are in town but I wouldn’t want to burden them with this.”