Hitched

45

“What happened?” Marco asked after Francis closed the cell phone and flung it across the seat.

“Joyce is missing!” Francis said. He was practically hyperventilating.

“Missing?”

“Since last night. They found her purse on the street in Manhattan this morning. The cops have been at the house. They’re coming back. One of the investigators is that Regan Reilly we saw on NY1. She’s also looking for the wedding dresses!” he yelped, pointing with his thumb to the trunk. “And I just hung up on Cindy. I got so scared. I’d better call back.”

Marco grabbed the phone. “No! Are you crazy? Stay out of it for now.”

“But I just hung up on Joyce’s friend. It makes me look suspicious!”

“Of what? You were so upset you didn’t know what you were doing. It’s understandable.”

“But what about Joyce? She disappeared last night when she was out with her friends.”

“I’ve done that plenty of times. Nobody went looking for me!”

“I’ve got to go back.”

“You can’t! Going back would put us in the middle of an investigation. And we’re guilty! Listen, the cops are looking for Joyce. Let’s keep going to Vegas. That’s all we can do right now.”

“I should at least call.”

“No! Then you have to tell them where you are. Or go back. Neither of which is an option. You’re her bereft boyfriend and hung up because you’re going out of your mind.”

“That’s for sure,” Francis said miserably as he stared out at the road.