Killing Ways

51

Ren got back to the apartment after work, and went to the refrigerator. It was empty of food.

Shit. But who did I think would have filled it? I need a housekeeper. Or Ben to come back.

Where is Janine?

Her heart started to race again.

The cupboard: noodles, coconut milk, Thai green curry spice mix, vegetable stock cubes. Freezer: peas. Refrigerator door: lime juice from a bottle. I can work with that.

Janine! Why haven’t you called me back?

Wall of Horrors.

Beer.

She opened a bottle of Coors Light, turned on the radio and started to cook.

She threw the dinner together.

It’s missing about five ingredients.

I am so not hungry.

Where is Janine?

She turned on the television and watched an episode of Friends.

Where is MY friend?

She opened another beer.

I’ve tried her ten times now. No response. There is something very wrong.

I’ll just call over. What’s the worst that can happen? The embarrassment of the last time.

Ren jumped into the Jeep. She drove down I-70, listening to pounding music at full-volume, slowly increasing her speed to eighty-five miles an hour. Her back window filled with flashing blue lights.

Oh no you don’t.

She hit the accelerator harder. The sirens struck up.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

Ren pulled in. She rolled down the window. She took out her creds. As the cop walked toward her, she held it out the window.

‘Officer, I’m SA Ren Bryce from Safe Streets. I’m on an urgent—’

The cop leaned in to the window. ‘Ma’am, have been drinking?’

What the? ‘No!’

‘Ma’am, could you please step out of the vehicle.’

‘Officer, this is a life-or-death situation here. I have to—’

‘Ma’am—’

‘No fucking way!’ said Ren. ‘My friend... my colleague is in very real danger. We’re working on the serial killer investigation. I’m not fucking around here—’

‘Ma’am, I can smell alcohol on your breath.’

‘But I—’ Oh shit. Oh shit. Her heart started to pound. ‘Oh my God,’ she said. ‘I apologize, Officer. I had one and a half bottles of beer. I... I... forgot.’ How could I forget that?

‘One and a half,’ said the officer.

‘Yes, I swear to God,’ said Ren. ‘I was preparing dinner. I... I completely forgot. I don’t usually do that. I...’

‘If you’re promising me that’s all you had, I’m going to let you go. And I’m going to forget the attitude.’

‘I really am sorry,’ said Ren. Her hand was on the key in the ignition. ‘My friend...’

The officer slapped the roof of the Jeep. ‘Go ahead.’

‘Thank you, thank you so much.’ I’m a fucking idiot.

She put her foot to the floor.

She kept trying Janine’s cell phone on the drive. It kept being off. Ren sped into the parking lot of Janine’s building, punched in the code, ran up the stairs. She rang Janine’s doorbell.

Please be here. Please be taking a nap. Or watching a box set. Or anything at all. Because nothing else matters as long as you’re here.

Ren rang the doorbell.

Or somewhere safe. Anywhere. Don’t be dead.

Ren rang the doorbell again.

OK. You’re asleep.

Ren put her spare key in the door, opened it, walked in, listened, called out Janine’s name, walked further in, called out Janine’s name. She saw her cell phone on the table. She saw her wallet.

Oh. God. She’s dead.

Jesus... she’s gone for a walk.

Ren could feel her legs shaking. She sat down on Janine’s beautiful cozy sofa.

This is not good. I know this is not good. But I often think things are not good when they’re perfectly fine. I hate this. What am I supposed to think?

She stood up.

Janine is in danger. I just know she is. I can feel it in my heart.

She went into Janine’s bedroom, pristine as always, smelling of beautiful smells. She went into the bathroom, the same. She went into the kitchen, she opened the fridge.

Salad, apples, salad, apples. Why don’t you look after yourself? Eat! Be strong! Be able to fight back more! Where are you?

Ren went back into the living room and sat down. She called Robbie.

‘Robbie, have you heard from Janine?’

‘No,’ said Robbie. ‘Should I have?’

‘I wish you had,’ said Ren. ‘She’s not here... I’m at her apartment. Her cell phone’s here, her wallet...’

‘Are you worried?’ said Robbie.

She could hear him shifting in his chair.

You’ll sound like a lunatic. Who cares? It’s Robbie. ‘Yes. I’m really worried. I have a bad feeling.’

‘Why?’

‘I just do,’ said Ren.

Silence. ‘She’s probably gone for a walk,’ said Robbie. ‘Maybe she’s gone to Woody’s for pizza, just didn’t want to be disturbed.’

They shared a small silence at the unlikelihood Janine would leave her phone behind.

‘Maybe,’ said Ren. ‘I’ll go check. Thanks.’

‘I mean, is there something else going on?’ said Robbie. ‘Are you worried about her state of mind? She’s looking a little gaunt.’

Now he notices! ‘No, no — she’s fine. Just let me know if she calls.’ Ren stood up. She looked at Janine’s phone.

Ooh, last dialed calls.

She turned on the phone. The caller list was cleared.

Hmmm.

Ren scrolled through her contacts.

I feel dirty.

Terri! She might know. Ren dialed the number. It beeped like a discontinued number.

No! Terri! Something is wrong. She’s not who Janine thinks she is.