Chapter 51
Him
Look at her. Acting all grown up and independent on her new YouTube channel. He likes her asserting herself, he thinks, finding a cause to get all hot under the collar about. It shows passion. And passion is important in life.
But she’ll need to be careful, he thinks. Making accusations like that could land her in trouble.
Although maybe that means she’ll need saving. He smiles. He’d like that.
In fact, maybe this could be an opportunity for him.
The thought makes his heart race, and he drums his fingers against the table, sticky with sugary coffee and whatever else builds up when you don’t clean stuff.
As he contemplates what grime is made of, he notices the date on his computer screen, and it makes him sad.
Wednesday. If things had gone his way, she’d be in Vegas by now.
Of course, he never answered the mother’s question about the name of his fake modeling agency.
He still hoped she’d come though, like an idiot.
Got all dressed up, his best jeans and a shirt he bought for the dates he’s never been on.
Spent the evening at the MGM Grand, lurking, watching.
But she never showed. Of course she didn’t.
He leans back against the sofa cushion and scans his trailer. Would he have brought her here if she’d come? Or would that have been too big a risk? He considers the small, untidy space, the grease-stained Burger King boxes from last night’s dinner, and empty soda cans stuffed with cigarette butts.
It’s no place for a lady. But maybe she’d be past caring about decor by now.
The noise of a car backfiring outside makes him jump. PTSD, that’s what the doc called it. But that’s bull. He’s been navigating bad shit all his life. He’s a pro now.
He leans forward over his laptop, the only thing he owns that’s worth something, that and his truck, and thinks.
It’s easy to set up a new account, but what should he write?
He’ll be one of thousands; he knows that.
He barely goes on TikTok, but even he’s seen content about the missing Ella Hart.
If he wants to get Maple’s attention, he needs to choose his words wisely.
He thinks about the desperate girls he’s met over the years.
How they’re polite at first, always trying to negotiate.
Until they realize it’s a man’s world, that they have no power.
Then they fight. They know they’re gonna lose; they’re half the size, for Christ’s sake.
But that doesn’t stop them trying. Bad odds don’t seem to intimidate.
And it’s brave. Whatever he’s done, whatever he might do in the future, he’ll never stop believing that. So is Maple brave too? He guesses it’s time to find out.
He spreads his fingers and hovers them over his keyboard. Then he thinks up his best lie, and lets them fall.