Page 11 of Their Little Christmas Bounty
I narrow my gaze on the faux wood grain of the hotel dresser.Dad has always had a soft spot for Janie, but he works her too hard.Sometimes I wonder if I made a mistake in getting her a position with his company.
“So, dinner?”Dad prompts.
“Yes.Right—when you come back, give me a call.”
“And you’ll pick up?”He gives a nervous chuckle.
“Yes,” I say with a laugh.“I’ll pick up.And you’ll never choose a guy’s side of the story over mine?”
“Never again.I love you, Ariel.Merry Christmas.”
“Love you too, Dad.Merry Christmas.”
The call ends and I sit back at my desk.The call with Dad was good in that it reminded me I’m not totally alone.But hearing he’s in Colorado and I had no idea, and now the deafening silence of this hotel room?
I feel lonelier than I did before.
I send a quick text to my dad.Do you want me to give you back Mom’s ring?
His response is immediate.No.It’s yours, Ariel.
All of this fuss over something that wasn’t even that important to him.ButIam important to him.I get it now.It was never about the ring.
I’m still lonely, though.
It’s time to pack up and return to San Esteban.There’s a certain kink club I’d like to pay a visit.
* * *
Lyle
Austin doesn’t seem to be in any hurry once we reach Danish Lake.He’s content to hike around, looking for signs of Ariel.I think he’s just glad to escape the car for a little while.We walk around town and talk to people at a few local stores and hotels, but nobody has seen her.
On Christmas day, I take out her file—the one Ironwood gave us.We glanced at it when they first gave it to us, then ignored it because she kept giving us new clues to follow.
Now that we’re out of clues, it’s time to do the real work.
I read through all the notes about her family.Her mother is deceased, and her dad never remarried.She doesn’t have any siblings, but she does have an aunt and uncle who live on the east coast.
And a cousin who lives in San Esteban.
I text her.Where are you?Don’t you have another clue for us to follow?
No response.She’s been quiet the past couple of days.I wonder if she’s celebrating Christmas, or what.
She could be sick, I think with a sinking feeling in my gut.What if she’s ill, and she doesn’t have anyone to make sure she’s okay?Fuck, she’s on the run.She probably isn’t taking good care of herself.
Answer me, Ariel.
Nothing.
I pack up my few things, and Austin’s as well.I throw our bags in the back of the car.
Austin is walking up the driveway to our rental when he sees me waiting at the car.“Let me guess, a new clue?”
“No.Nothing.I’m starting to worry.She has a cousin in San Esteban.Let’s talk to him.”
“You know it’s Christmas, right?”
