Time of Death

‘I…don’t know,’ said Ren.

‘And what did he say?’

‘Not a lot. I know none of this sounds good for me. I acknowledge that, but to be honest, I was at a loss as to what his point was. The best way I can put it is it was like he invited me over to tell me something, then changed his mind once I got there.’

‘Could there have been something…sexual involved?’

‘What?’ said Ren. ‘With me?’

Glenn nodded. ‘Yeah: like, was he hitting on you?’

‘God, no. No. He seemed afraid. There was something not quite right.’

‘Then why didn’t you—’

‘It wasn’t a “you’re going to die” bad feeling. Just that something was off.’

‘Could he have been drunk?’

‘Well, your tox reports will answer that. I smelled alcohol on his breath, but I wouldn’t say he was drunk.’

‘Had you met Hammond before?’

‘No.’

‘Had Helen Wheeler?’

‘As far as I know, no.’

‘Was there another reason for you to meet Douglas Hammond?’

‘No,’ said Ren. ‘And, for the record, I did not kill him.’

‘No one’s accusing you of being a killer,’ said Glenn. He paused. ‘Do you know the expression, “the point of no return”? Well, I’m here. And what a great location it is.’

The world was no longer a wonderful, magical place to Glenn Buddy.

‘I have allowed you in further to this than I should have,’ said Glenn. ‘I’ve made a huge mistake. And you’ve helped me make it. I was doing you a favor and now I feel manipulated.’

The darkest place is often to be found on the wrong side of the sunniest person. ‘What? You think you can’t trust me?’

Glenn Buddy’s face was all the answer she needed.

‘I know,’ said Ren. ‘I know. But…please. From here on, I promise, I will ask you for nothing. And right here, right now, I can promise that there is nothing I have done that you need to—

Ren’s cell phone rang. She glanced down. ‘I’m sorry, I have to take this. It’s my brother. It’s a family…issue.’ Jay, of all people, to the rescue.

Glenn gestured that he was going to go out for a cigarette. Ren nodded. She answered the call.

‘Hi, Jay.’

‘I was talking to Mom,’ he said, straight in. Just like mother.

‘And?’

‘She found out that Dad went to see Daryl Stroud.’

‘And?’ said Ren.

‘Well, do you think that was wise?’ said Jay.

‘If I thought it was unwise, would I have suggested that Dad do it?’

‘Well, I think it was unwise.’

‘OK.’

‘OK, what?’

‘You have your opinion and I have mine. Mine happens to be shared by Dad and Matt.’

‘You made Dad go and talk to Daryl.’

‘Are you for real?’ said Ren. ‘He’s a grown man. I suggested it. He was happy to do it.’

‘You know he would do anything for you.’

‘As he would for any of us. Including Beau,’ said Ren. ‘So, Dad paid Daryl a visit. It’s not like he was going to compromise the entire investigation and Beau’s reputation because of something I suggested he do. You are being ridiculous.’

‘You can be very reactive, Ren,’ said Jay. ‘And impulsive.’

‘So, if I say “fuck you” right now, will that fall under one of those categories? Will that have no merit either?’

‘I don’t want to get into anything,’ said Jay.

‘So calling me was meant to, what…?’

‘To let you know to step back,’ said Jay. ‘And…not to make things any worse for Mom and Dad. They’re very vulnerable.’

‘Jesus Christ,’ said Ren, ‘you’re acting like I’m a door-to-door salesman looking to scam the elderly out of their life savings. Give me a break. And why, in God’s name, did you tell them about that fling I had?’

‘How do you know I told them?’

‘Oh, please. Like Matt would,’ said Ren. ‘That stuff is my business, Jay. Do you understand that concept?’

‘Matt mentioned it to me, that’s all,’ said Jay.

‘To you,’ said Ren. ‘Not to anyone else. And not, I would imagine, in a gossipy way. Why the hell would I tell Mom and Dad that kind of shit?’

‘Yeah, well, I don’t know why the hell you wouldn’t.’

‘Jesus Christ!’ said Ren. ‘That still doesn’t make it your call. Will you ever, ever respect someone else’s wishes? Ever?’

‘Maybe I was just looking out for you,’ said Jay.

‘How exactly was that looking out for me?’

‘Well, maybe these flings aren’t good for you.’

Ren exploded. ‘How fucking dare you! Where do you get off—’

‘Go ahead, Ren, fight with the world.’

‘I am not fighting with the world,’ said Ren. ‘What the hell are you talking about?’

‘You’re so angry.’

‘I am not angry.’

‘Yes, you are. It’s unbelievable.’

‘Did you ever think I’m just angry with you?’ said Ren. ‘The world is fine from where I’m standing. Maybe I’m just fighting with you.’

‘Me?’ said Jay.

‘Yes.’

‘Why?’

‘Nothing,’ said Ren.

‘Oh, grow up,’ said Jay. ‘“Nothing” – you’re like a child, Ren.’

‘You are the most patronizing…fuck you.’

‘Do you behave like this at work?’

‘Oh my God, what in the hell does that have to do with anything? Work? Is that what’s important here? How I am in work? What are you going to do, call my boss? See how I’ve been doing?’

‘What is that supposed to mean?’

‘You know nothing about me. You have no clue. And do you know why? Because you don’t listen. Because you think you are better than everyone. You judge. You watch and you judge. And it’s the Jay filter. Which is a shit filter. And do you want to know why?’

‘Sure, Ren, go ahead: why?’

‘Because…why did you go to Mom and Dad about me?’

‘Huh?’ said Jay. ‘What are you—’

‘I covered your ass. Why did you go to Mom and Dad about me drinking?’

‘Are you talking about when you were fifteen?’

‘Yes!’ said Ren.

‘This is ridiculous,’ said Jay.