His Other Life

Chapter 27

TWENTY-SEVEN

ISLA

Present day

Isla was on the phone with the regional office for the pharma company Jonah had worked for at 8 AM sharp on Monday. Once connected to HR, she explained who she was and asked if her husband had been working with someone named Gemma in the year before he passed.

“You don’t have a last name?” the HR rep asked. “Emma is a common name.”

“No, it’s Gemma,” Isla clarified. “With a G.”

“Ah. That should make it easier. Let’s see…”

Isla waited, listening to the clickety-clack of keyboard strokes on the other side of the line.

“Okay, are you there, miss? It doesn’t look like there are any Gemmas in our employee register. There’s a Gena in our Salt Lake region. Could that be your gal?”

Isla read the note on the desk in front of her. It definitely said Gemma. “Gena” sounded nothing like it. “No, I don’t think so,” she sighed.

“Sorry about that. Anything else I can help with?”

“No that’s it.” Unfortunately . “Have a good one.”

With heavy steps, she made her way to the small dining room for breakfast. Rowan and Mav were already seated and engaged in animated conversation, but they looked up when she pulled her chair out.

“No Gemma at his work,” she said, slumping into the chair and tossing her room key on the table. “Damn. I really thought that would be it. Now what?”

“Some coffee?” Rowan asked, gesturing to a carafe on the table.

“Sure—thanks.” She held out her mug, and he poured. “I’m going to call the apartment building where he usually stayed after I have something to eat, but I can’t say I’m hopeful.”

“You never know,” Mav said, hunched over a crossword puzzle.

Rowan thought for a while, stirring sweetener into his refilled mug. “What about asking for an expense report?”

Isla relished the dark brew seeping into her cells and waking up her senses. “How would that help?”

Rowan hesitated. “Look, I know you don’t think he would have cheated, but—and I’m not saying he did—if that’s the case, there may be dinners, gifts, unusual hotel stays, flowers… And who knows? Something like that might lead us to her.”

Jonah’s expense reports. If nothing else, they would probably give her the names of the other hotels he’d used. “I suppose I could ask.”

“It’s public information,” Rowan said. “They can’t say no.”

“Okay.” Isla stood again. “Can you order me some avocado toast? I’ll be right back.”

Ten minutes later, she was back at the table, triumphant. She’d spoken to the same HR rep again, and the report was on its way. “I should have it in my email within the hour,” Isla told the others. “Now let’s eat.”

Before Isla had finished one half of the toast, her phone dinged with a notification. She had a sip of coffee then wiped her mouth before clicking open the email. “Let’s see this thing.”

There were two attachments to the email—one spreadsheet report for the year prior to Jonah’s death and the other smaller file that he’d submitted in the months prior to the accident. Isla opened that first, but a quick scan told her she’d find nothing of interest. He hadn’t traveled at all those first two months of the year, so aside from his work phone, gas, and some stationary, there was nothing there.

The year-long report was a different story. The expenses were in chronological order by month, but within each month everything was jumbled—gas, hotel, meals, office items, phone apps, etc.

“Can you sort by type?” Rowan asked.

Isla frowned. “I wish I had my laptop for this.” Still, she was able to enlarge the file enough to be able to see the commands, and then she changed the “sort by” field so the expenses were instead listed by type.

“Great. Now we can address the ones you might have questions about.”

“Okay. Accommodations.” Isla scrolled to A. There were two hotels listed in Portland in addition to the corporate rental. Isla highlighted their names as places to call.

Next was “Meals.” Most of the line items were for less than thirty dollars, but there were a few that stood out as obvious multi-person events.

“But there’s no way of knowing if it was a work meeting or not,” Isla said.

Rowan was scrolling on his phone. He showed her the calendar on his phone then pointed to a line on hers. “This one is a Saturday night. Do you know if he usually entertained business contacts on weekends?”

Isla shrugged. She wanted to say yes, but the truth was, she didn’t know. She hadn’t been that interested in the ins and outs of his day-to-day business. At least not any more than he’d been interested in hers. They’d compared notes at the end of the day—high points and low points mostly. But everything in between? Not so much. What married couple did? Especially that last year when they’d been home and up in each other’s business ninety percent of the time.

Mav put his crossword puzzle away and joined their little conference. “If there’s no way to find out time of day and who he was with, we’ll only ever be able to speculate. It’s not like we’re going to visit every restaurant, right? I think we’re better off focusing on things that stand out. One-off expenses.”

Isla nodded and went back to the top of the list. Cell phone, Internet, member fees, a printing expense, multiple lines for mileage and parking, a new mouse for his laptop. Everything seemed to be in order. She got to the bottom of the list where the final category was marked “X.”

“What does that stand for?” she asked.

Rowan looked. “I think it’s expenses that weren’t approved.”

“‘Office,’” Isla read. “I remember he wanted to expense our home office during quarantine but couldn’t. Something about that being part of the job description.”

“What’s that one?” Rowan pointed.

“‘Dr. Richards, DDS,’” Isla read.

“DDS?” Mav frowned. “He tried to expense a dentist visit?”

“It was stupid,” Isla agreed. “But he cracked his tooth on something during a meal with a client, so he thought he’d give it a shot.”

“It’s out of the ordinary,” Rowan said. “You should highlight it.”

Isla did. “I think that’s it,” she said. “I’m going to go upstairs and pack and call the apartment building in Portland, then we can head out. Is an hour enough time? I’ll need to let Louise know when we’ll be in Redmond. I promised I’d ride with her to the city.”

“Abandoning us, are you?” Mav asked.

“Temporarily.”

“Whatever will we do?” Rowan’s lips pulled into a cheeky smile.

Isla met his gaze, struck again by the way it made her insides dip. She slapped him lightly on the shoulder, which only made his eyes sparkle more, then she left the table.

Packing took less than half an hour. After that, Isla punched in the number to the apartment building and let the call connect. But while she did get someone on the line, he refused to answer questions over the phone, stating that would be “against our policy.” If Isla wanted answers, she’d have to come in and prove she was who she said she was.

Fine, she thought. They had to stop in the city for one night anyway to break up the drive, visit the hotels, and pick up Mav’s truck.

It was a sunny day—the first in a while—and the abundant birdsong coming from the trees surrounding the parking lot promised an imminent spring. Isla turned her face to the sun before she got in the car, relishing the warm rays caressing her skin. When she opened her eyes again, Rowan was watching her.

“What?” she asked.

“Nothing,” he said. “The look on your face made me think of John Muir.”

Isla pursed her lips. “I look like an old-timey explorer?”

“Smooth,” Mav said to Rowan as he folded himself into the backseat. “Aren’t you supposed to be good with words?”

“No,” Rowan hurried to say. “I meant a quote of his. ‘In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.’ What I meant was—you looked peaceful. Like the life beneath your skin was rejoicing in reaching toward the sky, connecting with its source, relaxing into it.”

“Wow.” Isla stared at him, then she turned to Mav. “I think he is good with words.”

“Make fun all you want,” Rowan said. “It was just an observation. An expression I hadn’t seen on you before.”

They both got in the car and buckled, but when Rowan didn’t say anything else, Isla let his words take root. For such a long time now, being in the world had caused her nothing but pain, like a blurring filter had obscured the beauty of the backdrop to her life story. But since setting out on this journey, colors had become more vivid, shapes were beginning to crystallize, and she could once again take in more than just the insular physical space she inhabited. And Rowan was right—that was more than she’d sought. But how curious that he’d spotted it in her before anyone else. She wasn’t used to being seen that way.

“You’re not wrong,” Isla said, facing him. “Sorry for teasing.”

“No worries.” He glanced at her as he slowed for a traffic light. “And for the record, I don’t think you look anything like John Muir.”

“Ha. I’ll take that.”

Bend, too, was different beneath a blue sky. Awake and full of promise. Isla might have gotten from it what she could for now, but at least she was leaving with a less bleak image of the town than her mind had conjured over the past two years. She’d had good memories here at one point, and the sun seemed to want to remind her of that.

Thirty minutes later, they pulled up in front of Louise’s cousin’s house to find her waiting outside the door. Her wide-legged pants and oversized sunglasses made her resemble a displaced hippie, and Isla half expected Rowan to comment on it, but he kept quiet, instead focusing on helping Mav into the front seat Isla had vacated.

“So, what’s the plan?” Louise asked.

Isla told her what the apartment manager had said and added that they also needed to stop at the two hotels. “I doubt it will lead anywhere with how many people come and go in a year, let alone two, but I need to at least ask.”

“How about Mav and I take the hotels, and you guys take the corporate condo?” Rowan asked. “Then we can decide next steps from there. It’ll probably be almost dinner time by then.”

“And I’ll have to say goodbye.” Louise pouted. “It’s an early night for me with work tomorrow.”

“You’ll come up and visit me soon though, right?” Isla said. “We’re not that far if you think about it.”

Louise’s face flushed with emotion. “I’d love that.”

Mav stuck his head out the car window. “Are we going to hit the road soon or what?”

“Okay.” Isla slapped her palms against her jeans. “Rowan—when we get to Portland, you and Mav show the pictures, ask if they’ll share records… Anything that might give us more information.”

“Aye aye, captain.” Rowan saluted her and rounded the car back to the driver’s side. “Are we following you or…?”

Isla threw a smirk over her shoulder as she and Louise reached Louise’s white sedan. “I know you probably miss stalking me, but let’s drive at our own speeds and touch base when we get there.”

Rowan laughed. “Or you can stalk us for a change. See you in Portland.”

“He’s very cheerful today,” Louise said as they got in the car. “Did something happen?”

“Not really.” Isla smiled to herself. Maybe there was something in the air.

They reached Portland in the middle of a conversation about Louise’s latest owl find—a woven tapestry, nabbed for a steal—courtesy of another member of their online group who was tapped into the vintage quilt community.

“I’m going to put it in Josie’s room,” she said after describing it in detail.

“Your niece?”

Louise stopped behind a bus letting out passengers. “Yeah, she’ll love it.”

“Your sister doesn’t mind?”

“Oh. Um, no. She prefers not to spend money on stuff like that.”

Isla looked at her friend. “That’s so nice of you. You’re like everyone’s dream aunt.”

Louise’s cheeks turned pink, but she didn’t respond.

They were approaching the city center, so Isla pulled up her phone for directions. “Take a left at the next light, then it’s two more blocks and a right.”

“Got it.” Louise made the first turn. “Did you ever find a replacement for that hummingbird?”

“No.” Isla shifted in her seat. They’d stopped only once on the drive north for a bathroom break, and now her legs were getting stiff. “I’d kind of forgotten about it if I’m going to be honest. I might look into it when I get back.” There it was again, that feeling of new priorities replacing old ones. Had she really been heartbroken over a porcelain figurine a mere week ago?

“I’ll keep an eye out. Oh, there’s the building.”

Just as they parked, Rowan sent a text saying that they’d gotten nowhere with the first hotel and were heading to the second.

Did you drive straight here? Isla asked. How were they so far ahead?

Mav fell asleep so figured I would. Where are you at?

Just got here. Heading inside.

We’ll come meet you when we’re done.

The administrative office for Jonah’s corporate lodgings was located in a glassed-in space in a corner of the lobby. No one else was around, so Isla went straight up to the door and knocked. The man inside looked up with a start as if he wasn’t used to visitors.

“Hi,” Isla said, sticking her head inside. “I called earlier today asking about records of my husband’s stays here.”

“Yes, I remember.” The man, whose nametag said “Tom,” approached them.

“Here’s my driver’s license,” Isla said, holding it out.

“For…?”

“You said I’d need to prove who I was. I’m Isla Gallagher, and my husband, Jonah Gallagher, used to stay here as one of Rozer & Rozer’s employees. I’m particularly interested in any records you might have of visitors.”

Tom took the license and glanced at it before handing it back. “Yeah, I don’t think that will matter. I checked with the boss, and we don’t give out information on our residents.”

Isla’s stomach sank. “But on the phone you said…”

“That we couldn’t give out information over the phone. We also can’t give it out in person. That would infringe on the tenant’s privacy.”

“But her husband is dead.” Louise’s voice was harder than Isla’s. “So there is no privacy to invade.”

Tom looked at her. “And you are?”

“A friend,” Louise said.

Isla had an idea. “Give us a moment,” she said, pulling Louise to the side. When they were out of earshot from Tom, she whispered. “What if you flash him your press badge? We could say you’re writing a story and promise him that you won’t reveal your source.”

Louise blinked at her. “But I… I don’t carry that with me.” Her gaze flashed to Tom, who was making a poor attempt at pretending not to be watching them. “I don’t know. That feels kind of shady.”

“It’s just asking questions. He could still choose not to respond.” She pleaded silently with her friend.

“Fine. But I’ll do the talking.”

They returned to Tom.

Louise squared her diminutive shoulders and cleared her throat. “I’ll level with you, Tom,” she said. “I’m a journalist for Columbia Valley Daily and we’re currently profiling important contributors to the community who were lost prematurely to Covid. But because Mr. Gallagher didn’t reside here permanently, we need to confirm the number of days he was here to make sure he meets the cut-off to still be considered a resident and that he wasn’t going against company policy by having guests stay.”

Isla had to force her jaw not to drop. Every word Louise said was delivered with such authority and conviction that, for a second, she believed the story too.

“All we’re asking is to see his records,” Louise continued. “No harm, no foul. The dates won’t be in the article, and neither will your name. Please. As you can see, it would mean a lot to his widow to have him honored in this way.”

Tom turned to meet Isla’s eyes, and she nodded in solemn agreement.

“I don’t know.” Tom scratched his cheek and glanced over his shoulder at the computer on his desk.

“Jonah Gallagher,” Isla said. “If you could go three years back. Please?”

Tom huffed. “And my name won’t be in the article?”

Louise smiled. “No mention whatsoever.”

“Okay, give me one minute.”

Louise bumped Isla’s hand discreetly in victory as Tom went to print the record.

“That was amazing,” Isla said. “You’re a very good liar.”

“Thanks,” Louise whispered back. “Though I’m not sure that’s a compliment.”

“I don’t know how helpful this is going to be, but here you go.” Tom handed Isla a sheet of paper from the printer. “That’s all I have. Don’t make me regret it.”

Isla folded it, thanked him profusely, and then she followed Louise out onto the sidewalk. As soon as they were out of Tom’s sight, they hunched over the print-out. Isla skimmed the printed rows with her fingertip. When she got to the end, she let her hand drop to her side and looked up.

“Nothing,” she said.

Louise scrunched up her nose. “Not nothing. It has the dates on it.”

“But that’s not what we need. There’s no mention of a Gemma or any other visitors for that matter.”

“Chances are they don’t keep track of that.”

“Then what are we here for?” Isla fought the urge to stomp her foot. “I’ll be right back.”

She shoved the door open again and returned inside, this time entering Tom’s office without knocking. She held up her phone with Jonah’s picture centered on the screen. “Do you remember him?” she asked, adrenaline fizzing in her veins. “He was a little taller than you, friendly. Pharmaceutical sales rep. The last time he was here was before Christmas a little over two years ago.”

“Um…” Tom looked at the picture then up at Isla with rounded eyes. “I’ve only been working here for fourteen months, ma’am. I’m sorry.”

“Oh.” Isla deflated. What was she doing? None of this was Tom’s fault. “Sorry.” She started backing away. “I’m just… Sorry,” she said again, then she spun on her heel and returned outside with flaming cheeks.

To her surprise, Mav and Rowan had joined Louise on the sidewalk. The sun was setting but had warmed the day enough that Rowan had shed his coat, and Mav had unbuttoned his like they’d been out for a spring stroll.

“Anything at the hotel?” Isla asked.

“No.” Rowan gestured to the building. “Not here either I hear.”

Isla shook her head. “Fuck.”

For a long while, none of them spoke, and Isla was about to suggest they go get Mav’s car and call it a day when Rowan asked to see the expense report again. Isla pulled it up and handed him her phone.

“What are you thinking?” she asked.

“There was that dentist visit too,” Rowan said. “Might as well cross all the Ts.”

“Want me to give them a call?” Louise asked, pulling her phone out. “What was the place called again?”

But Rowan was already tapping in something on his screen. “I’ve got it,” he said, putting it up to his ear.

They waited while it connected.

“Yes, hi,” Rowan said. “I’m new to the area and wanted to make an appointment for a cleaning.” He listened and answered a few questions with, “Mm-hmm. No. Yes earliest possible, and”—he met Isla’s gaze—“my friend recommended I see Gemma?” His voice tilted up at the end as if asking a question.

Isla held her breath.

Then Rowan reached out for her shoulder. “Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. She does have availability? That’s great!” A grin spread on his face. “Oh, hold on, you’re cutting out. Hello?” He hung up.

“Well, how about that?” Mav asked.

Isla stared at them in disbelief. “There’s really a Gemma working there?” If that’s where Jonah had met her, it didn’t bode well. No way would a dental hygienist call a client at his hotel for tooth-related reasons. Come to think of it, why would anyone who knew him call the hotel? Wouldn’t they have had his cell number?

“Where’s the office located?” Louise asked.

Rowan checked his phone. “Vancouver, across the river. We could stop by tomorrow morning on our way north.”

Despite the many lingering unknowns, Isla allowed herself to be swept up in the general excitement at this new development and agreed that was a good idea. At least they now had a lead.