My Wife Is Missing by Palmer D. J

Author:Palmer, D. J. [Palmer, D. J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: thriller, Mystery, Suspense, Contemporary, Adult
ISBN: 9781250267887
Amazon: 1250267889
Goodreads: 58724990
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Published: 2022-05-10T07:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 26

MICHAEL

There was a four o’clock direct flight from Boston to Ohio with two available seats. From his home, Michael paid for the tickets while Kennett made a call to the hotel. He confirmed that there was not a Natalie Hart registered at the Fairfield Inn in Zanesville. Getting an employee to identify a family of three would be better done in person, so to Ohio they’d go.

“She could be registered under a different name and sleeping soundly,” said Kennett, offering up an encouraging note.

“I agree she could be there,” Michael replied, “but I highly doubt she’s sleeping.”

The flight itself proved uneventful. Kennett spent most of the time in the air reading a Michael Connelly novel he’d bought in the airport bookstore.

“Cops read about fictional cops?” Michael asked.

“Connelly gets it right,” Kennett replied matter-of-factly.

“He does, eh? So tell me, would Harry Bosch get on a plane with a virtual stranger to help him track down his missing wife and kids?”

Kennett chuckled at that.

“Everyone counts or nobody does,” he answered wryly, reciting a familiar Bosch refrain.

“Hmmm,” said Michael, sounding doubtful. “Can’t help but think I might be counting a little too much. You have so many cases, why are you paying so much attention to mine?”

“What is it that they say about gift horses?” asked Kennett.

“I believe that expression is about gratitude, not trust.”

“Are you saying you don’t trust me, Mike?” A deceitful twinkle slipped into Kennett’s eyes—good cop or bad cop, it was hard to say.

“Not really,” said Michael, jostling as the plane hit a bump of turbulence.

“Well, what if I told you that a long, long time ago my wife disappeared, ran off like yours did, and I’ve been looking for her ever since? In my own fractured mind, you’re a chance at some kind of redemption.”

Michael sent Kennett a sideways glance.

“I don’t think I’d believe you,” he said.

Kennett smiled fully and broadly.

“You keep that skepticism of yours, Mike,” he said. “It’ll serve you well down the line.”

Kennett went back to reading and didn’t talk much until the plane landed.

The drive from John Glenn Columbus International Airport to Zanesville took over an hour in a rented gray Ford Focus. For much of the drive Kennett was on his phone, didn’t engage in conversation, which gave Michael the distinct impression he was being tested somehow. All Michael knew for certain was that Audrey Adler’s name had come up in conversation, once to be exact, which was one too many times for his comfort.

They pulled into the parking lot of the Fairfield Inn sometime after eight o’clock in the evening. Michael’s stomach felt tighter than a face full of Botox. They caught the sunset, a wash of pale orange and yellows that cloaked the darkening sky. The leaves of the red buckeye trees planted out front of the hotel swayed in a gentle breeze.

Kennett had his car door open before Michael came to a full stop. They made their way to the entrance together. Michael watched Kennett do up a button on his blazer as if he were performing some ritual that helped him get into character.

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