Rick Mofina - Into the Dark

Yet despite her fears connected with Amber, she could not brush away her concern for her marriage, especially after Julie had learned more about Robert’s life with Cynthia in Canada.

They took Robert’s SUV to the diner.

Claire sat in the passenger seat, holding her cell phone as if it were a lifeline while Robert, in an effort to melt some of the tension, told her about his brief visit to Iqaluit.

“Seeing the aurora borealis in that eastern Arctic sky was stunning.”

Claire didn’t respond.

As if he recognized that she was preoccupied with her worries and only half listening to him, Robert let a few blocks pass in silence before raising an issue.

“Do you have any idea why Julie was so cool to me last night?”

“Excuse me?” Claire turned from the window to him.

“Why was Julie so cold to me last night?”

“She’s worried about Amber and everything.”

Robert rubbed his chin.

“Have you asked her to help, her being a P.I. and all?”

“Yes, she’s checking a few things out for me.”

Claire’s phone rang.

“Speak of the devil,” Claire said. “Sorry, I’ll answer it and be quick.” She smiled to Robert.

* * *

“Hey, Julie.”

“Any news?” Julie asked. Her voice was raised, indicating she was talking through her speakerphone in her car.

Claire glanced at Robert. Thankfully a loud semi was passing and his attention was drawn to it.

“No, nothing.” Claire tried to keep her voice soft. “Are you hearing anything?”

“No. Look, Claire, I’m sorry things got weird with me last night.” Julie’s voice was coming through loud and clear, and she was talking fast. “The fact is we discovered more on Robert’s life in Alberta and we’re digging a little deeper to make sure we’re on the right track. But I know you got a lot on your mind right now, so let me worry about it.”

Claire grew anxious. Maybe Robert could overhear her? She shot him a sideways glance, found some relief. The car slowly passing them was throbbing with loud music, annoying Robert, who seemed occupied with checking traffic in the mirrors. Claire’s attention shifted back to the call when Julie said her name again.

“Claire? Are you with him now?”

“That’s right, yes.”

“Okay. I don’t want to talk about this on the phone.” Julie’s voice remained clear. “It’s best we talk face-to-face when I know more. I’ll call you maybe tonight or tomorrow.”

“Great. Thanks, Julie.”

Claire hung up and brushed aside her hair.

“Everything all right?” Robert asked.

“Yes, she’s just worried, like me.”

Robert looked straight ahead into traffic and adjusted his grip on the wheel. The palms of his hands had moistened. The vein along his neck began pulsating and his breathing quickened.

Every word of the conversation had leaked from Claire’s phone.

He’d heard it all with crystal clarity.

San Marino, California

Less than five minutes after Julie’s call, Claire and Robert were coming to the diner when Claire’s phone rang again.

This time it was Alice.

“Hi, Claire, are you on your way into the office now?”

“I’ll be there in about an hour or so, what is it?”

“A Detective Tanner and Detective Zurn from the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department are here to talk to you.”

“Did they find Amber?”

“No.”

“Did they say what it’s about? I wasn’t expecting them.”

“No, but they say you should come in as soon as possible.”

Claire told Robert about the call, they skipped breakfast and he turned the SUV around.

“Detectives from L.A. County?” He repeated as he accelerated. “Maybe they’ve got a lead on Amber’s husband or something.”

Fifteen minutes later, they arrived at Claire’s office.

Two men were waiting in reception. They stood as Alice introduced them to Claire and Robert. Zurn, the hard-looking one, wore a sports jacket over a polo shirt and khakis. Tanner had long ago unbuttoned his collar and loosened his tie, suggesting his morning had already been stressful.

Shaking Tanner’s hand and meeting his eyes, Claire found a measure of sadness mixed with strong gentleness that she liked. Something about him felt reassuring.

“Can we talk to you about Amber?” Tanner asked, turning to Robert. “Sorry, but privately. I’m sure you understand, Mr. Bowen.”

“Certainly. I’ll be right out here if you need me for anything, Claire.”

“I’ll make more coffee,” Alice said. “And you’re clear for appointments, Claire.”

When the door to Claire’s office closed, Alice busied herself with the coffee, but her face telegraphed worry.

“I’m so glad you’re back, Robert, to be here with her. It’s a comfort.” She patted his shoulder. “You’re such a good husband.”

He gave her a smile and flipped through an old copy of Reader’s Digest, oblivious to the articles.

Wheels turned as he made plans.

Inside Claire’s office, Tanner and Zurn opened valises containing files on Amber’s case. Tanner led the interview.

“We want you to know that police across the state, the FBI and several other agencies are working full tilt to find Amber,” he said.

“Thank you.”

“Now, we’ve spoken to Detective Belinski with Alhambra, Detective Cobb and Officer Freeman with San Marino P.D. We’ve reviewed your statements and all the reports. We just need a little more help.”

“I’ll do whatever you need me to do.”

“We’re aware that patient confidentiality comes into play, but much of Amber’s case is a matter of public record, arising from Eric’s assaults.”

“Yes.”

“Tell us about Amber’s demeanor, her state of mind, in the time leading up to her disappearance.”

“She was in torment.” Claire paused. “In previous sessions she’d told me that she’d sensed a presence in her house.”

“A presence?”

“Like someone was watching her, hiding in her house in Alhambra.”

“Was this reported at the time?”

“No, she had no evidence of anyone breaking into her house. I thought it was a psychological manifestation of the stress of ending her marriage to Eric. Still, I advised her to take precautions, to get her security system checked and make sure her emergency escape plan was ready.”

“In hindsight do you think it could’ve been real?”

“In hindsight? Yes.” Claire took a breath. “We were careful. After Eric’s attack I got Amber to move temporarily into a women’s shelter. Amber was battling to escape an abusive relationship with a man who was determined to keep her, to maintain control over her.”

“How so?” Zurn made notes.

Claire looked into her palms.

“After the parking lot assault, Amber revealed to me that Eric had written to her begging her to reconcile, to go back to him. It followed the typical cycle pattern of an abuser. After an explosive incident he makes acts of contrition and urgent pleas for forgiveness. The man’s a textbook case.”

“Was this contact violation reported?” Tanner asked.

“No. I take responsibility for that. It was made known to me in confidence by a patient. She said Eric was going to file the letter with the court. Still, I should have reported the violation. I thought I was successful in counseling her to continue her work to rebuild her life without him. I told her that she was in danger from Eric.”

“Did she agree?” Tanner asked.

“Yes, that’s why she allowed the Alhambra police to do a security check on her home after the burglary here.”

Tanner consulted his notes and went back to several points about Amber’s sessions before changing the subject.