‘Thank you,’ said Ren, grabbing one.
They talked about all the things the girls had done in Denver, and what they liked to do at home, and who their friends were. Lucy was the more outgoing, performing every story she told.
The girls went to a table of their own for dessert — two tables away. They started taking pictures of each other on their cell phones.
‘I think they like their independence,’ said Paul.
‘I think they like their dad,’ said Ren. ‘They might even adore him.’
‘Oh, I don’t know …’
‘I wanted to ask would Sylvie Ross talk to Laurie Whaley for us?’ She waited for a reaction.
He frowned. ‘Yes … why?’
Ren filled him in.
‘Sure,’ said Paul, ‘I can’t see that being a problem.’
The door of Gaffney’s opened and a cold breeze shot through.
‘Ah,’ said Paul. He smiled. ‘Gary.’
Ren turned around. Gary walked over to the table. Ben Rader appeared behind him.
And for the second time that night, Ren heard Paul Louderback say, ‘Would you care to join us?’
Ren had no time to talk to Paul Louderback and find out if he had ever worked with or trained an agent called Taber Grace. She had time, however, to sit through one of the most excruciating gatherings of her lifetime, second only to attending a charity dinner with the parents of her high-school boyfriend … an hour after they had walked in on their beloved son and his girlfriend in their newly installed en-suite shower.
Ren zoned back in on the conversation. There was great news — Paul Louderback was leaving to take the girls back to the hotel. Next to go was Ben, who had tried desperately to hold eye contact with Ren.
Ren spent half an hour more with Gary, talking about all the developments, and what they could mean. He slid his chair back, about to announce his departure.
‘Wait,’ said Ren. ‘Sorry, but … I have to ask you something.’
‘Sure,’ said Gary. ‘Go ahead.’
‘Who is Taber Grace?’
Gary’s poker face performed as expected. ‘Why do you ask?’
‘Because he was the man in the black sedan watching Laurie Whaley … until he got the crap kicked out of him.’
The poker face was struggling.
‘What is it?’ said Ren. ‘Who is this guy?’
‘Taber Grace originally had Colin Grabien’s job,’ said Gary. ‘For the first three months of Safe Streets. And then he fucked up.’
‘He had lied on his application,’ said Gary.
‘What do you mean “lied”?’ said Ren.
‘He wasn’t entirely honest about his past.’
‘Was it something serious?’ said Ren.
‘That he lied?’ said Gary. ‘Yes, Ren. That happens to be serious.’
‘But you hired him,’ said Ren. ‘He was here for three months …’
‘It only came to light after three months,’ said Gary.
‘How?’ said Ren.
‘This is old ground,’ said Gary.
All eyes had been on Gary when he was setting up Safe Streets. Multi-agency task forces were new, and it took him a long time to convince everyone it would work.
And in the first three months of the task force, something had failed. Taber Grace had failed. Therefore, Gary Dettling had failed. And Gary Dettling had zero tolerance for failure. Even his own.
‘Just — you’re very thorough …’ said Ren. ‘I’m surprised anything slipped through the net.’
Silence.
‘Why do you think he was watching Laurie Whaley?’ said Ren. ‘This isn’t some elaborate revenge thing is it? I mean, could he be trying to get back at Safe Streets or something?’
‘This is not a movie, Ren,’ said Gary.
‘But … it’s all so weird,’ said Ren. ‘Why would-’
‘I have no idea,’ said Gary. ‘And it’s Denver PD’s responsibility.’
‘But — the Merritts … that’s our-’
‘Taber Grace is not my concern,’ said Gary. ‘And he’s certainly not yours.’
48
Ren walked up the path to the Graces’ house, contemplating the ghosts of Dettling’s past freak-outs. It was a fleeting contemplation, not because the ghosts were few but because Ren had successfully filed them in the la- la-la-la-la file. Whatever Gary Dettling told her not to do, she would do if her gut told her otherwise. Her gut beat everything.
‘Hello, Mrs Grace,’ said Ren, holding up her badge. ‘I’m SA Ren Bryce from Safe Streets. Can I come in?’
Melissa Grace frowned. ‘Safe Streets?’
‘Yes.’
‘But … is this about Taber?’
‘Could I please come in, Mrs Grace?’ said Ren.
Melissa swung the door back. ‘Yes, yes. Is Taber OK?’
‘It appears that your ex-husband has been the victim of an assault, but-’
‘Oh my God,’ said Melissa. ‘What happened? Is he OK?’
‘He was badly beaten,’ said Ren. ‘We don’t have all the details. But what we do know is that he was well enough to be able to drive away from the scene.’
‘He drove away?’ said Melissa. ‘But … did anyone see where he went? Did he make it to the hospital?’
‘No hospital has admitted anyone matching his description,’ said Ren.
‘But … if he was beaten …’ said Melissa. ‘If … maybe he didn’t look like himself. Or … did he get a head injury? Maybe he’s lost his memory or is passed out somewhere.’
‘According to witnesses, he did receive a head injury,’ said Ren. ‘We were hoping that maybe he had come to see you. Detectives from Denver PD have been to his apartment, and he’s not there.’
‘No,’ said Melissa. ‘No. Oh my God — I can’t believe this.’
‘Is there anywhere you can think of that he might go?’ said Ren. ‘Any family he might have gotten in contact with, any friends?’
‘I … I don’t know,’ said Melissa. ‘We’re divorced, and Taber … well, he does his own thing. I don’t know what he’s doing most of the time. I have to keep on at him to know where he is or what he’s doing … for our son’s sake, more than anything.’
‘Did your ex-husband mention a case that he was working on-’
‘No,’ said Melissa, shaking her head. ‘No — he worked confidentially, and he was very protective of us. So he would never have told us anything. Who did this to him?’
‘We don’t know that,’ said Ren. ‘That’s why we need to talk to him. He could be in danger.’
‘Is that a line you throw out there to get me to cooperate?’ said Melissa.
