Reed marched back to the cabin, but Spud stepped in his way, blocking him at the door. “It was my fault, Reed. This isn’t necessary.”

Reed looked mad enough to beat him. “I will not have my boy growing up weak,” he said. “You think you can take me because you’re big? You think size has anything to do with it? Well, go ahead, take your shot.”

Spud couldn’t move. He couldn’t speak. Reed wanted to fight him—over a jug of milk?

“I thought so,” Reed said. “Pip’s gonna grow up tough… not a wuss like you.”

With that, he shoved Spud out of the way and went inside.

CHAPTER 22

Lyle had to knock several times before David Haas came to the door, wearing a T-shirt and jeans—no shoes or socks. His hair was tossed about like he’d just gotten out of bed, which apparently he had.

“Sorry to get you up,” Lyle said. “I was hoping you might have a chat with us.”

David stepped back to let them in. “Always got time for you, Lyle. Has she called?”

“No. Sorry. I’m afraid I came here with questions, not answers.” Lyle gestured to Max. “This is Max Rupert. He used to be a detective in Minneapolis.” Max shook hands with the tired younger man. “He’s kinda helping me out with this.” They walked to the kitchen table and sat down. “How you been doing?”

“I’m not really sure,” he said. “My brain is like a wet paper towel. I keep waiting for the phone to ring or to hear them coming through the door. I can’t figure it out. I’m going out of my mind.”

“I know how you feel, David,” Lyle said. “Went to make bacon and eggs this morning and forgot the eggs. Sat down to eat and just sat there staring at a plate of bacon.”

“You have questions for me?”

It was Max who spoke: “I know you talked to Sheriff Bolger about all this, but I was hoping you might tell us what you saw when you came home that morning.”

“Sure. I got here, had to be around eleven, like usual. The first thing I noticed was that she’d left the garage door open. She never does that. But her car’s gone, so I figure she’s at work and maybe the door wasn’t working right. I come in and I hear the TV on downstairs. Why the TV was on, I don’t know, but it was set to one of Pip’s cartoon channels. Then I went to the bedroom, and that’s when I knew something was wrong. All of her clothes were gone—everything—even stuff she don’t never wear.”

“Stuff like what?” Lyle asked.

“You know. Sweaters she got that she never liked. Pants too small for her. That kind of thing. She took everything. Same with Pip’s room. Everything was gone. I tried calling her, thinking she was mad at me, but she didn’t answer.”

“Was she mad at you?” Max asked. “Did you guys have a fight?”