Page 4 of Missing Marcus

Abe sipped his beer and set it on the bar. “They’re worried about yours. I’m sorry. You surprised us with the announcement about you two.”

“Thanks.”

“I’m a bit shocked. You and Gabby seemed tight.” Wolf ordered a beer. “Marriage is hard work even when the military doesn’t complicate it.”

Knight stared into his glass. “The military didn’t mess this up. She did.”

Abe leaned back on the bar stool. “Every one of us has made mistakes. Take Alabama and I, for instance. I accused her of something and destroyed her trust. I nearly lost her. What about counseling?”

He waved the bartender down and held up his glass. “You can’t fix infidelity. It’s the one thing I refuse to accept. Gabby decided our fate.”

Abe leaned forward. “Did she tell you she cheated?” he asked confused. “Gabby doesn’t seem the type to take her vows lightly.”

“She’s staying in our basement. For someone who cheated, she appears pretty broken up about it,” Wolf added.

Knight chuckled. “I imagine she’s more upset about the money.” He pulled an envelope from his back pocket. I’m spinning up any day. I went to the bank and closed the account. If you can give this to her, I’d appreciate it.”

Wolf took the envelope and put it in his pocket. “Maybe you should speak with her before you go? Don’t leave on a mission with your head out of the game,” Wolf advised as Marcus withdrew his wallet and laid down a few bills.

“My head’s in the game, now more than ever. Gabby seemed anxious to start her new life. I planned to drop off the chest she requested. Do you mind loading it in your truck? It’ll save me a trip.”

Abe stared at Knight. “Don’t you want to say good-bye?”

He waited until they slid off their stools before abandoning his. “No. As far as I’m concerned, Gabrielle Hutchins ceases to exist after today. I don’t plan on laying eyes on her ever again.”

Knight led them outside, where they helped him load the chest in Wolf’s truck. “I left the sofa in the garage. I’ve changed the locks on the house, and she can use the code to help herself to the couch. I’ll change the code when I return.”

Abe and Wolf watched Knight walk away.

Abe rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “According to our women, Gabby seems wrecked. Then why do I feel like he’s acting like a fool?”

Wolf shook his head. “You can’t make a stubborn horse drink water. Maybe time and space will help them see more clearly and miss each other. In the meantime, we won’t take sides. Knight’s a smart man and one day, he’ll wake up and realize he made a mistake.”

“What if he’s too late?” Abe asked as he hopped in the passenger side.

Wolf frowned as he glanced at his teammate. “In the end, Knight and Gabby must decide what’s best for themselves and forgive each other.”

3

Gabby climbed the six flights of stairs to her new apartment, which offered a view of a dilapidated building’s roof and cost her two grand a month. The money Knightgenerouslysent with Wolf, promised five months of rent. With her paychecks and frugal savings, she determined she might afford an apartment with two bedrooms in a year if she only took a six-week maternity leave when the baby arrived.

Opening the flimsy lock, she held the last box on her hip and let herself into her new apartment. The door clicked behind her and she turned the lock. She didn’t worry about thieves coming in the middle of the night. It’s not as if she had anything worth stealing. Her eyes scanned the dismal view of the white, now turned-gray walls and the filthy window displaying the building’s disintegration.

Sliding down the wall beside the door, still cradling the last few items, Gabby allowed the tears to flow freely down her cheeks. She felt as neglected as her apartment. Overwhelming sadness filled her as she wondered how she ended up here. She closed her eyes and tried to shut away the memory of the first time she met Marcus Hutchins.

Gabby wiped down the countertops and filled the salt shakers while Gus cleaned off the grill. She only needed to gather the ketchup bottles, let Gus out the backdoor, and fill the bottles before she left.

“I’m done, Gabby,” Gus called from the back. “Don’t forget to lock up the front after I leave. Thanks for working the evening shift. Sally said she’ll take one of yours when she feels better.”

“No worries,” she assured him. “I don’t mind working the overtime. Tuition’s due in two weeks and I’ve saved enough money for it, but I want to eat, too.”

Gus shook his head. “You’re a go-getter. You’ve got this. I hate losing you as a waitress, but you’re not meant to stay here in this old grease pit.”

“Awww, Gus. I love this place. If we changed the curtains to make it appear brighter and added a few more fast-food selections to the menu, we might catch the college crowd running between classes.”

Gus shook his head. “Always got your thinking cap on. Lock up behind me and I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon.”

“Good night,” she called and closed the heavy back door, locking it right away. She didn’t mind closing on her own. Gabby grabbed a few quarters from her tips and walked to the front to put the old jukebox on. She stopped short when she noticed a man dressed in all black. His beard hung down his chest and his skin carried faded black markings. He held a bag in his hand and smiled at her.

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