“Fremont County Sheriff’s Department,” a man called from the other side of the door. His voice was hoarse like a smoker.
Calvin opened the drapes partially and peered out. Red-and-blue flashing lights danced across the ceiling and walls.
“What is it?” I whispered, but my voice cracked.
His mouth opened and closed twice before he spoke. “I don’t know.”
Three more pounds on the door. The man on the other side had grown impatient. Calvin dragged a hand down his face.
“Maybe the dead animals. Did you call about that?” I asked. My eyes bounced from Calvin to the flickering lights.
“Yeah, yeah. That’s probably it.” A look of relief rushed over him. Placing his hand on the door handle, he hesitated for a moment. Another pound shook the door. Calvin jumped, then threw it open.
“Evening, what can I help you with?” Calvin’s voice was calm.
“Good evening. I’m Sheriff Almond from the Fremont Sheriff’s Department. Are you Calvin Wells?”
I shifted to the side so I could get a good look at the officer. He was a large man with a full beard and weathered, sun-damaged skin. He wore a campaign hat and a belt buckle the size of a deck of cards. The sheriff’s dark eyes bounced over to me for a moment. He gave a slight nod of acknowledgment and returned his gaze to Calvin.
“Yeah. How can I help you, sir?” Calvin shifted his stance.
“I’m following up on a missing person’s report for a woman by the name of Briana Becker. Her sister from Michigan reported her missing early this afternoon. Apparently, she was traveling alone on a cross-country road trip, and they expected her home three days ago but hadn’t heard from her in over two weeks.” Sheriff Almond slid a piece of paper from his front pocket and held it out. “Have you seen this woman?”
Calvin took the photo. His eyes lingered for a few moments before he shook his head and handed it back. “Nope, she doesn’t look familiar.”
“What about you, miss?” The sheriff extended his hand out.
I closed the distance and glanced at the photo. The woman was striking. Long, wavy blond hair. Blue eyes. A pearly white smile. And dimples so deep, you could hide a penny in them. I looked up at the sheriff and shook my head. “No, I’ve never seen her.”
He flicked the corner of the photo in disappointment and slid it back into his pocket. His eyes returned to me. “And you are?”
“Grace Evans.”
“You run an Airbnb, Calvin?” Sheriff Almond pulled at a thick strand of his mustache and twirled it.
With his attention off of me, I backed up a couple steps. He wasn’t here for me. He was here for Calvin.
“That’s right.”
“According to Miss Becker’s Airbnb account, she was supposed to arrive here two weeks ago and stay a few days. Does that sound right to you?” Sheriff Almond raised an eyebrow.
I wished I could see Calvin’s face, but I was standing slightly behind him. I focused on his back where his lungs expanded. He didn’t twitch or tense up.
“She must have been a no-show. It happens on occasion. Someone books a room to rent and then radio silence. I marked a person as a no-show two weeks ago.”
Sheriff Almond tilted his head. “Yes, we were able to access her account and see that she checked in and out at a previous place over in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, but she never checked in here.”
Calvin nodded. “Must have never made it here. That’s a long way to travel, and it’s easy to get lost.”
If she hadn’t checked in, why was the sheriff here? Perhaps he had nothing to go on and was grasping at straws, trying to turn over a lead.
Sheriff Almond shuffled his feet, glancing to his left and right, up and down the long porch. “Beautiful place you got here.”
“Thanks.” Calvin folded his arms in front of his chest. “It was my parents. I took over about eighteen months ago.”
“Did your parents do the rental thing too?” The sheriff scratched at his chin.
“Oh no. I started that up about a year ago when I realized the finances weren’t in that great of shape. It brings in extra money to keep the ranch afloat.”
I still didn’t believe that, and I reminded myself to ask him about it later.
Sheriff Almond nodded. “And you, miss.” He directed his attention to me. “You live here too?”
I shook my head. “No, I’m a guest. I got in a few days ago.”
“You traveled alone?”
“Yes,” I said.
“Humph.” He shifted his stance. “Where from?”
“New York.”
Sheriff Almond let out a low whistle. “You’re a long way from home.”
I nodded.
His eyes bounced from me to Calvin. “Well, all right.” He pulled a card from his front pocket and handed it over. “Mr. Wells, if you think of anything else, please give me a call. Otherwise, I’ll be in touch if I have any more questions.”
Calvin slid the card into his pocket. “Will do, Sheriff. I hope you find her.”
He tilted his hat, and his eyes lingered on me for a little too long. “Sorry to bother you. Y’all take care and stay safe.” The sheriff turned on his foot and walked slowly back toward his vehicle. He held his head high and scanned the property before getting into his SUV.
Calvin gave a small wave and closed the door. His hand lingered on the handle, and I watched his head fall forward briefly before he picked it back up.
He turned toward me with a smile. “Where were we?”
I rubbed my lower back. The pain radiated, extending nearly to the middle.
“Is it all right if I head to bed early? I just need a good night’s rest. That fall wrecked me.” My voice was low, and I brought the palm of my hand to my forehead, pressing against it.
Calvin’s face crumpled for a moment and then relaxed. “Yeah, yeah, of course. Do you need anything?”
I gave a tight smile. “No, you’ve done enough,” I said, turning on my foot.
“Good night, Grace,” he called out as I headed down the hall.
The door with the padlock that supposedly led to the basement made me stop in my tracks. I stared at it, wondering what was on the other side.
A shiver ran down my spine as a thought crossed my mind. The missing woman. The scream I heard the other night. The woman’s clothes in the dresser. Maybe they weren’t his ex’s. Maybe they were Briana’s. I made my way down the hallway and closed the bedroom door behind me. When I went to turn the lock, I realized there wasn’t one.
Day Five
18.
Calvin
My knuckles rapped against Grace’s door. Usually, I’d wait out in the kitchen until she woke up, but I wanted to make sure she was feeling all right, especially after getting that concussion. Our night didn’t end how I intended it to. After the sheriff showed up, Grace seemed to have built a wall between us. It didn’t make any sense why he came around here anyway. That girl had never even checked in. He said so himself. I was glad he left quickly. But I think the damage was already done. He spooked Grace. She’d already been on edge with the riding accident and the issue with her car. Now, who knows how she was feeling? I laid awake nearly all night thinking about her, and when I finally fell asleep, I dreamed about her.