The Web

'Is Dad with you?' She stood, dripping, in a khaki raincoat drenched black, face shiny-wet under a snarl of running makeup.

'No,' said Robin.

'I can't find him anywhere! All the cars are here, but he isn't. We were supposed to get together an hour ago.'

'Maybe Dennis or one of the deputies picked him up,' I said.

'No, I called Dennis. Dad's not in town. I've searched the outbuildings and every square inch of the house except your room and Jo's.'

She hurried next door. Jo answered her knock quickly. She had on a bathrobe but looked wide awake.

'Is Dad with you?'

'No.'

'Have you seen him at all this evening?'

'Sorry. Been in all day- touch of the stomach bug.' She placed a hand on her abdomen. Her hair was combed out and her color was still good. When she noticed me studying her, she stared back hard.

'Oh God,' said Pam. 'This weather. What if he's outside and fell?'

'Older people do tend to spill,' said Jo. 'I'll help you look.' She went inside and returned wearing a tentlike transparent slicker over a black shirt and black jeans, matching hat, rubber boots.

'When's the last time you saw him?' she said. I followed her eyes down to the entry. Water had pooled there. Gladys and Cheryl were standing next to it, looking helpless.

'Around five,' said Pam. 'He was in his office, said he just had a little work, would be in soon. We were supposed to have dinner together at seven and it's already eight-thirty.'

'I spoke to him just before that,' I said, thinking of Moreland's tumble in the lab.

'Hmm,' said Jo. 'Well, I'm sorry, haven't noticed a thing. Been out of commission since noon.'

'Bad stomach,' I said.

She gave me another challenging look. 'Could he have gone off the grounds?'

'No,' said Pam, wringing her hands. 'He must be out there- Gladys, get me a flashlight. A big powerful one.'

She started for the stairs.

'Let's look for him in a group,' I said. 'Is anyone else here?'

'No, Dad sent the staff home early so they wouldn't get caught in the rain.' To the maids: 'Did anyone stay behind?'

Gladys shook her head. Cheryl watched her mother, then imitated the gesture. Her usual stoicism was replaced by a rabbity restlessness: sniffing, rubbing her fingers together, tapping a foot.

A sharp glance from Gladys stilled her.

'Okay,' said Jo, 'let's do it logically-'

'Did you check the insectarium?' I said.

'I tried to get in,' said Pam, 'but couldn't. The new locks- do you have the keys, Alex?'

'No.'

'The lights were out and I pounded hard on the door, no answer.'

'Doesn't he work in the dark sometimes?' said Jo. 'Doesn't he keep things dark for the bugs?'

'I guess so,' said Pam. Panic stretched her sad eyes. 'You're right, he could be in there, couldn't he? What if he's lying there hurt? Gladys, any idea where we can find a duplicate key?'

'I checked all the ones on the rack, ma'am, and it's not there.'

Cheryl grunted, then lowered her head.

Gladys turned to her. 'What?'

'Nothing, momma.'

'Do you know where Dr. Bill is, Cheryl?'

'Uh-uh.'

'Have you seen him?'

'Just in the morning.'

'When?'

'Before lunchtime.'

'Did he say anything to you about going somewhere tonight?'

'No, momma.'

Gladys lifted her daughter's chin. 'Cheryl?'

'Nothin', momma. I was in the kitchen. Cleaning the oven. Then I made lemonade. You said it had too much sugar, remember?'

Gladys's face tightened with irritation, then resignation set in. 'Yes, I remember, Cher.'

'Damn, damn,' said Pam. 'You're sure about the keys on the rack.'

'Yes, ma'am.'

'He probably forgot. As usual.'

'He gave it to Ben,' said Cheryl. 'I saw it. Shiny.'

'Lot of good that does,' said Pam. 'All right, I'm going back over to the insectarium and try to get in through one of those windows.'

'The windows are high,' said Jo. 'You'll need a ladder.'

'Gladys?' said Pam. Her voice was so tight the word was a squeak.

'In the garage, ma'am. I'll go get it.'

'I'll come with you,' said Jo. 'I can hold the ladder or climb it myself.'

'You're sick,' I said. 'Let me.'

She closed her door and positioned herself between Pam and me. 'I'm fine. It was just a twenty-four-hour thing.'

'Still-'

'No problem,' she said firmly. 'You probably don't have rainclothes, right? I do. Come on, let's not waste any more time.'

She and Pam hurried down, picked up Gladys, and headed toward the kitchen.

Cheryl remained alone in the entry. Fidgeting again. Looking everywhere but up at us.

Then right up at us.

At me.

'What is it, Cheryl?' I said.

'Um… can I get you something? Lemonade- no, too sweet… coffee?'

'No, thanks.'

She nodded as if expecting the answer. Kept bobbing her head.

'Is everything okay, Cheryl?' said Robin.

The young woman jumped. Forced herself to stand still.

Robin went down to her. 'What's the matter, hon?'

Cheryl kept looking up at me.

'It's pretty scary,' I said. 'Dr. Bill disappearing like this.'

She began rubbing her thighs, over and over. I followed Robin down.

'What is it, Cheryl?' said Robin.

Cheryl looked at her guiltily. Turned to me. One hand kept rubbing her leg. The other patted a pocket.

'I need you,' she said, on the verge of tears.

I looked at Robin and she went to the far end of the front room. The rain was beating out a two-two rhythm, smearing the picture windows.

Cheryl's rubbing had intensified and her face was compressed with anxiety.

Sweating.

Conflict.

Then I remembered that Moreland had used her to deliver Milo's phone message.

'Did Dr. Bill give you something for me, Cheryl?'