Chapter 5
“I was thinking perhaps we could speak in private,” Vaughn said.
Given our lack of privacy options, I suggested we go for a drive. He agreed, and we were off. As soon as we pulled out of the driveway, I said, “Why did you want to speak to me alone?”
“I need to admit something to you,” he said. “I lied.”
“About what?”
“My son.”
“What about him?”
“When the chief of police came to see me, I wasn’t prepared for their questions.
At the time, Logan hadn’t even been gone for a day, so my wife didn’t think anything about the fact that he hadn’t returned home yet.
Chief Foley was determined to speak to Logan So, not wanting to alarm my wife, I said he’d left for the weekend with friends. ”
“Was it something you made up, or was it what Logan told you?”
“I made it up. And look, I’m not a dishonest person.”
“Why did you lie, then?”
“I was trying to spare my wife. She’s been stressed about Logan’s wellbeing ever since Audrey died. I was hoping to find my son before anyone knew he hadn’t come home yet. And then the police showed up. I had to make a snap decision, and I did.”
“Lying to the police is never the right decision.”
“I get that, which is why I’m telling you now. I have every intention of going to the police department later to explain.”
“When you say ‘later,’ how much later?”
“Today, all right?”
“I’ll give you until the end of the day, and if you haven’t told them by then, I will. I appreciate the honesty, but you never should have kept it to yourself for this long. Your son has been on the run for four days.”
“I wouldn’t say he’s ‘on the run.’”
“Then what would you call it?”
“He’s processing Audrey’s death, and he’s not ready to talk to anyone—not the police, not you, not even his own parents. He’s a teenager, it’s what they do. He just needs a little time. That’s all.”
I pulled into a parking lot, the car idling as I continued questioning him.
“Have you had any interaction with your son since he left?” I asked.
He squirmed in his seat, uneasy.
“Well …?” I pressed. “Have you spoken to him or not?”
He sighed. “Once.”
“When?”
“The day he left.”
“What did he say?”
“We didn’t talk long. He said he needed to take some time to himself, and he told me he didn’t want his mother to worry. I assured him I’d think of something to tell her, but I warned him if he stayed away too long she’d start to get suspicious.”
“How did the call end?”
“I told him to be safe and that I was here for him if he needed me.”
“Doesn’t it worry you that he hasn’t come back yet?”
Vaughn turned, staring out the window at nothing in particular. “If he’s not back in a few more days, I will be. He’s a resourceful, capable kid. Always has been. He loves going camping by himself, which is what I expect he’s been doing. Helps him clear his head when he has a lot on his mind.”
It struck me as odd that both parents were being so aloof about their missing child. If it had been my child, no matter the age or how capable I found them to be, I’d be worried.
“What was Logan’s demeanor like before he left?” I asked.
“A lot quieter than usual. He’s been a bit depressed and moping around a lot. I figure it will take some time for him to process all that’s happened. I suggested he speak to a therapist about what’s happened, but he had no interest.”
“I’d like to have a look at his room.”
“I’m not comfortable with that, and my wife won’t be either.”
It was the answer I’d expected, but it was worth a try.
Switching gears, I said, “I hear you went out to dinner with your wife the night Audrey died. Where’d you go?”
“Nothing too fancy. The Boathouse Diner.”
“It may not be fancy, but the food’s good.”
He patted down his pant pockets, then looked at me, a nervous expression on his face.
“What is it?” I asked.
“My phone. I must have left it at the house. What time is it?”
I pointed at the clock on the dash.
He shook his head, saying, “I didn’t realize we’d been gone this long. I need to get home. My wife will be waiting.”
“Why? Do you two have plans?”
“Tilly has an old college roommate in town. We’re going out for a couple of drinks.”
There it was again, Vaughn carrying on as if his son not returning home was nothing out of the ordinary, but it did give me an idea.
Vaughn and Tilly weren’t the only ones with plans.
I had plans of my own.
Plans to do a little sneaking around.