Dirty Thirty (Stephanie Plum, #30)(39)

I did a fast walk through the house. It was obvious that Nutsy and Dugan had been staying there and either intended to return or else had to leave in a hurry. Someone had been sleeping on the couch. Probably Dugan. Two pillows and a quilt were still there. A box of Kleenex, some hand sanitizer, and the television remote were lined up on a small table next to the couch. Very neat. One bedroom belonged to Sissy. The second bedroom, which was very small, was a disaster. Bed incredibly rumpled. Candy wrappers, socks, underwear, and crumpled pieces of paper were on the floor, scattered around the small room. This would be Nutsy’s slob cave.

I returned to Sissy. “Talk to me,” I said.

“I don’t know anything.”

“I saw you in the street when Duncan fell off the ledge.”

“We’re friends. We used to work together at the button factory, but I got fired. Duncan fired me. I missed too many irregular buttons.”

“But you were still friends?”

“He was right. I didn’t have what it takes to sort buttons. I’m one of those good enough people and buttons have to be perfect. So, I got another job, and we stayed friends. My new job is much better. I do customer service for a hospital supply company. I can work at home most of the time.”

“Were you in a relationship?”

“With Duncan? No. We were just friends. I’m not perfect enough for Duncan. Everything always has to be perfect. Like the buttons.”

“Is Duncan perfect?”

“I thought he was,” Sissy said, “but things haven’t been going right for him lately.”

“Why did he rob the jewelry store?”

“I honestly don’t know. It was so out of character for him.”

“He’s friends with Andrew Manley.”

“Yes. That was a surprise. I didn’t know he had other friends. Actually, that’s not accurate. He spends a lot of time online. He has cyber friends. I guess originally Andrew was one of Duncan’s cyber friends, and then they connected somehow. It’s weird because they’re like the Odd Couple. Duncan is a neat freak and Andrew is a total mess, but they like a lot of the same things. Like old movies. That’s why Duncan was sleeping on the couch instead of in the bedroom. He likes to watch movies late at night on the classic movie channel.”

“Does Duncan have any other interests? Hobbies? Sports?”

“He plays games with his cyber friends. And he reads people’s blogs. I don’t think he has his own blog, but he follows Andrew’s. I don’t know much about the games and blogs. I don’t even Twitter. Or tweet.”

“What are your interests?” I asked her.

“I’m taking cooking classes,” Sissy said. “And I like the old movies that Duncan watches. I guess that’s what we have in common.”

“And now Duncan and Andrew are gone,” I said. “You know where they’re going, don’t you?”

“Not exactly. They loaded up my van and took off. They put my La-Z-Boy recliner in the back for Duncan. He’s still in a lot of pain.”

“Is this the white van that was used to get Duncan out of the hospital?”

“Yes. I wanted a Mini Cooper when I went shopping for a car, but the van was dirt cheap, and I didn’t have a lot of money.”

“Why did you have to get Duncan out of the hospital?”

“Andrew found me and told me that Duncan was in danger in the hospital, and we had to get him out. I don’t know what danger Andrew was talking about, but it didn’t have anything to do with the hospital itself. It seemed like it was related to the robbery. Sometimes it’s hard to get a grip on what Andrew is rambling on about.”

“I need to talk to them,” I said. “Andrew is being accused of stealing diamonds, and Duncan is now considered a felon because he missed his court date. I’d like to help them but I’m missing some important information.”

Sissy pressed her lips together and went silent for a couple beats. “They aren’t bad people,” she said.

“I know.”

“And you think you might be able to help them?”

“I’m going to try.”

She blew out a sigh. “I’m pretty sure they’re going to Duncan’s brother’s house. It’s somewhere in Maine. I overheard them talking. Duncan needs medical care, and he can’t get it here.”

“When did they leave?”

“It was super early this morning. Around five o’clock. Do you know where his brother lives?”

“I can find out.”

I gave her my card.

“Call or text me if you hear from them,” I said.

“Should I tell them you’re looking for them?”

“Yes. You can tell them to call me. Tell them that I’m trying to help them.”

“Are you going to Maine?”

“I haven’t decided. I’d rather talk to one of them on the phone.”

I left Sissy and jogged back to the Explorer. I was hoping she’d call Duncan or Andrew and persuade them to call me. If that didn’t happen, Bob and I were taking a road trip.

“How’d that go?” Lula asked when I got behind the wheel. “It doesn’t look like you got punched out this time. That’s a step in the right direction.”