“We both think Metcalf’s hiding something,” Richard said to Michelle.
Michael nodded and bit down on the one of the grilled ham-and-cheese sandwiches Michelle had prepared for breakfast. Tawnie was still fast asleep upstairs.
Michelle gave both men a sad look. “You two are really starting to get all bent over this.”
“Nah-a,” Michael mumbled with his mouth full. He chewed quickly and swallowed. “Metcalf lied about talking to Lucy on Friday. I was there. He never talked to her.”
She shook her head. “Maybe he meant Thursday. There are all kinds of reasons why you may have misunderstood him.”
“No, Michelle,” Richard piped in. “The man did an about face in the middle of our call yesterday. He told Michael to stay away from his family.”
Michelle stirred her tea. “He actually said to stay away from his family?”
“Yes!” Michael and Richard said in unison, causing Michelle to raise her eyebrows.
“Maybe we should give him another call then.”
“What?” Richard exclaimed. He laughed.
“He told us not to call him,” Michael said.
Michelle smiled and sipped gently at her tea. “Then that’s exactly why we should call him. Either you two misunderstood him or he’s hiding something, like you said. My bet is he’ll take your call and be pleased you took the time to call him again.”
Michael’s eyes filled with dread and he sniggered his nervous reply. “I really don’t think he’ll be pleased at all.”
“You know, calling him again might not be such a bad idea,” Richard said.
Michael’s eyes grew with worry. “Then you talk to him this time.”
Richard chuckled. “There’s nothing to worry about. It’s just a phone call. The worst he can do is hang up on you.”
“I don’t want to.”
“It’ll be okay. He’s a whole province away. He doesn’t even really know who you are or where you live.”
Richard’s reassurance didn’t make Michael feel any better.
“As soon as we’re done eating, we’ll go down to Richard’s study and call him again,” Michelle said.