The Drowning Child

12

As Ren ended the call to Alice Veir, she felt a presence beside her and looked up. It was Ruddock.

‘Teddy Veir is waiting for us in Interview 2,’ he said.

Teddy Veir was staring at the wall as if there was something more interesting to look at than flaking gray paint. Ren and Ruddock walked in and sat down.

‘Teddy – this is Ren Bryce,’ said Ruddock. ‘She’s with the FBI CARD team.’

‘Hello,’ said Teddy. ‘Thank you... for being here.’

Ren nodded.

‘What do you think of all this?’ said Teddy.

Strange question. Or strange delivery?

‘You do this all the time,’ said Teddy. ‘Is my son... do you think... what happens in your other cases?’

Oh, you do not want to know that we usually show up, a body is found, and we all go home.

‘Mrs Veir—’

‘Teddy.’

‘Teddy, we’re gathering all the facts here—’

‘It’s been over twenty-four hours...’ she said. ‘I know you’re already losing hope of finding him alive.’

‘That’s not true,’ said Ruddock. ‘And there are hundreds of people working hard on this.’

‘But nothing showed up in the search,’ said Teddy.

‘Yet,’ said Ruddock. ‘We’ll be searching again. Every day, if we have to. And the neighborhood canvass team is working nonstop. Please be reassured by that. And Ren and I are here now to focus on some answers we need.’

Teddy nodded. ‘OK, OK. I’m sorry. I’m just... I’m going out of my mind.’

‘I know,’ said Ren. ‘Let’s start with Sunday evening. Why don’t you talk us through that...’

‘I left the house at six to go to my friend Patti’s,’ said Teddy. ‘Patti Ellis. Caleb was home, John was preparing supper for both of them. I eat with Patti.’

‘And how was Caleb, Sunday night?’ said Ren.

‘He was quiet,’ said Teddy. ‘But—’

Ren and Ruddock waited.

I know what you’re thinking, Teddy. You’re thinking if you finish that sentence, you will be incriminating your husband. But... what? But Caleb was always quiet around his father?

And you’re thinking – what if your husband did do something, and you lied to the police? I am watching the weighing up. And you know I am.

Teddy readjusted herself in her seat. ‘John’s childhood, his time in the military... it made him the man he is today. He’s a good man, a good husband, a good father. But... yes, Caleb was quiet around him sometimes.’ There was a pleading look in her eyes. ‘Caleb can be sullen, and John is stubborn. The two things don’t always sit well together. John is not an aggressive man. He withdraws. He gets distant. That can be really difficult, but it doesn’t make him...’ She shrugged. ‘His biggest crime, maybe, is being... intense.’

Intense? Yes. His biggest crime? Maybe not...

Ruddock spoke gently to Teddy. ‘Men are not great with their feelings,’ he said. ‘My late wife had to work on me for a good ten years to get me to talk. Anything emotional and I’d close up like a clam.’ He paused. ‘Is that how John is?’

Late wife... noo.

Teddy nodded. ‘That’s exactly how he is.’ There was a look of resignation in her eyes, and for a brief moment, a spark of anger at the realization.

‘Did that bother you?’ said Ruddock.

‘I’m used to it,’ said Teddy. ‘I didn’t mind. That’s his way.’

She shrugged, but in a way that indicated she wanted the questions on her marriage to stop. Ren and Ruddock locked eyes.

Yes... let’s not push it.

For now.

‘Teddy,’ said Ren. ‘Did you ever get the sense that Caleb didn’t like to be left alone with his father?’

‘No – never,’ said Teddy. ‘Absolutely not.’

‘Has John ever gotten physical with Caleb?’ said Ren.

‘No.’

‘Have you ever felt that he came close to that point?’ said Ren.

Teddy shrugged. ‘What is “close”? I can say to you that I do not think John would ever lay a finger on Caleb.’

Why am I unconvinced?

Possibly because you are.

‘Was there any particular behavior in Caleb that angered John?’

‘All the standard things that twelve-year-olds get in trouble with their parents for,’ said Teddy. ‘They’re the same things that would have bothered me. Maybe John is more stern about it, but I think fathers of boys need to be.’

‘Has there been any change in Caleb’s behavior over the past few months?’ said Ren.

Teddy gave it careful thought. ‘No, not really.’

‘Not really?’

‘No,’ said Teddy with more conviction. ‘No.’

‘There are scuff marks on the inside of Caleb’s bedroom door,’ said Ren, ‘and the doorjamb looks damaged. Did you ever lock Caleb in?’

‘Oh my God – no,’ said Teddy. ‘Absolutely not. I’ve never even seen a key for that door.’

‘OK,’ said Ren.

After a moment, she spoke again. Deep breath. ‘Teddy, how are things in your marriage?’

She frowned. ‘They’re good – why?’

‘These are the questions we need to ask,’ said Ren. ‘I’m sure you understand.’

She nodded, but it was clear that she didn’t want to sign up for that line of questioning.

‘Are you and John happy?’ said Ren.

Teddy raised her eyebrows.

Oh, happiness is a tricky one, isn’t it? Are people ever truly happy? That’s depressing.

Ben. Everett. Robbie.

My happiness is over; I’ve had my life’s share.

Is this how I feel now?

Jesus.

Christ.

‘Yes,’ said Teddy. ‘I mean, life... is life, really, isn’t it? Am I living a wild adventure every day? No.’

‘I’m not thinking adventure,’ said Ren. ‘I’m just thinking of your relationship with your husband – are you getting along? Have there been any arguments? Are there any issues?’

Teddy gave a small shrug. ‘No.’

‘Have you noticed any changes in your husband’s behavior or mood recently?’ said Ren.

‘No,’ said Teddy.

Ooh: I don’t believe you.