3 Men and a Body Read Free Page B

ring. Wesley didn’t materialize. When she
    called the number on his probation officer’s business card
    at five minutes after eleven, she was nauseous.
    “Eldora Jones speaking.”
    “Eldora, this is Carlotta Wren, Wesley’s sister. We met a
    couple of nights ago at the Elton John concert.”
    “How could I forget? Are you out of the hospital?”
    “Yes, thanks, and feeling much better. I’m calling about
    Wesley. Did he make his appointment today?”
    “As a matter of fact, he didn’t.”
    Carlotta’s heart sank to her ankles. “Did he call to say he
    wouldn’t be there?”
    “No, he didn’t. May I ask what this is about?”
    “I hope it’s nothing, but my brother seems to be missing.”
    “Missing?”
    “He hasn’t been home, no one’s heard from him since
    yesterday, and he isn’t answering his cel phone.”
    The woman paused, then said thoughtful y, “I did receive a
    call from a Richard McCormick saying that Wesley had
    impressed him in his interview yesterday morning. He’s set
    to start his community service with the city computer-
    security department next Monday.”
    “He was supposed to meet me at the hospital after the
    interview, but he didn’t show.”
    “Have you called the police?” Eldora asked hesitantly.
    Carlotta thought she detected more than professional
    interest in her tone.
    “That’s next on my list.”
    “Wil you have Wesley phone me as soon as you…see him?
    He’l have to make up the missed meeting.”
    Carlotta promised she would, then hung up and put her
    head between her knees to relieve the light-headedness
    that suddenly overcame her. Please, God. She reached for
    the phone again and dialed Detective Jack Terry’s number
    from memory.
    Jack had arrested Wesley for hacking into the courthouse
    computer. He’d reopened their father’s case. He’d
    investigated a couple of little murders that Carlotta had
    gotten involved in accidentally. And in between, he’d given
    her one or three mind-boggling orgasms. Theirs was a lust-
    hate relationship. After the fiasco at the Fox Theatre,
    during which he’d broken her fall, she was hoping she
    wouldn’t have to call him anytime soon.
    Here we go again.
    “Jack Terry,” said the rough-hewn voice over the line.
    It was so unexpectedly comforting, Carlotta’s throat
    choked with emotion.
    “Hello?” he said. “Is anyone there?”
    “Jack,” she cried.
    “Carlotta? What’s wrong?”
    “It’s Wesley,” she said, openly sobbing now.
    “Are you at home?”
    “Yes,” she blubbered.
    “I’m on my way.”

    3
    Six minutes later, Detective Jack Terry walked through her
    door. Carlotta had pul ed herself together and had
    promised herself she’d behave professionally with Jack,
    just like anyone else would report a potential crime to any
    police officer.
    Instead, she went into his arms and pressed her wet face
    against his ugly tie. He just held her and rubbed circles on
    her back.
    “You have to give me something to go on here,” he finally
    said into her hair.
    She sniffled and lifted her head. “Wesley’s missing.”
    He fished a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to
    her for an awkward one-hand nose blow. “Let’s sit down
    and you can tel me what’s going on.”
    They settled on the couch and she relayed what she knew,
    from how Wesley hadn’t shown up at the hospital the
    previous day to the fact that he’d missed the meeting with
    his probation officer.
    Jack’s expression was serious, but not concerned. “So he’s
    been missing for less than twenty-four hours.”
    “Yes, but something’s wrong, I know it.”
    “Has he ever disappeared before?”
    Carlotta hesitated. “This is different.”
    Jack’s face relaxed. “Probably not. He could be with a
    buddy, hanging out, or maybe he found a card game.”
    “His friend Chance Hol ander called here. He doesn’t know
    where Wesley is.”
    “That’s the guy who gave us the tip in the Angela Ashford
    murder, isn’t it?”
    She