A couple of days passed. All of the "human interest" in Armacost had died down. I heard that his bail was dropped and he was released on his own recognizance pending his trial. I also understand that his attorney strongly recommended he stay away from Teresa and the house. He took up residence in an apartment building in the same block as his building. The truck, Teresa had loaded up by noon on Saturday, dropped everything off at his new residence on Monday afternoon, just after he was released. Naturally, the media made a circus out of it and had coverage on it through the day. I guess they killed the story enough that nobody cared by Tuesday afternoon.
On Tuesday morning I received an email from David Schmidt saying that he posted the bail for Stacy once her lawyer had her sign the separation agreement. David was still being way too nice. He pulled some strings to get her a nice apartment on the outskirts of downtown. He even put up the first three months rent. I guess he was ready to do anything to get rid of her.
Sergeant McNally called just to say he had not been able to find out anything yet. Being the prostitution detail was working nights, and he was on days, they just hadn't had a chance to meet up.
I hadn't heard from Holly until Wednesday afternoon. She called after she finished classes.
Carla yelled in to me, "Mick. Holly Armacost is on the phone for you."
"Okay, thanks." I picked up the phone. "Hi, Holly. How are things."
"I guess they're alright."
"You guess? Have you heard from your dad?"
"No. Actually, I haven't heard from my mother or father."
"Where'd your mother go?"
"I'm not sure. She said she needed to get away for a few days, just to calm down."
"That was probably a good idea."
"Yeah, but I wish I knew where she went."
"Why didn't you go with her?"
"I asked if she wanted me to and she said no. She said she didn't want me to miss any classes on account of this and said she'd rather be alone. She said she'd be a few days and that she'd call. She hasn't."
"How did she go? And when?"
"I guess she drove. Her car is gone. And it was Monday morning, after I left for school."
"And you have no idea where she would go?"
"No, Mick. I really don't. You know, she and my father have several places she could go. They have a place at the beach, one in the mountains, and one in Florida. I checked the boat, which was my grandfathers, so that's all hers, she wasn't there. She wouldn't take that out by herself anyway."
"Is there anyone you could call at any of the other places that might be able to tell you if she's there?"
"No. Unfortunately, I don't know any of the neighbors at the other places."
"Well, look Holly. I don't want to sound cold, but if something had happened to her, you'd have heard by now. The one thing police are real good at is making a notification. I'm sure you will probably hear from her this afternoon. Have you tried her cell phone?"
"No, I haven't. I don't want to sound like I'm keeping tabs on her."
"Maybe you should. The one thing she kept saying was how close you and your father are. Maybe she is worried you are more loyal to him."
"Pardon me, Mick. But fuck him. He's the one that caused this, not her."
Wow, what a change a couple days can make. "I know that and I know you know that, but maybe your mother doesn't know you feel that way. You should tell her."
"Maybe you're right, Mick. Thanks. I'll call you back in a little while."
"Okay, I'll be here."
Carla poked her head around the corner of the doorway. "How's she doing?"
"She's worried. Teresa went somewhere to get away and hasn't called her."
"Any idea where she went?"
"No. Holly didn't want to call her, but I just talked her into it."
"That's a good idea. Is she going to call you back?"
"Yes. That's what she said."
I pulled up my email and was reading them when Holly called back. "Mick! Holly!"
"Did you get ahold of her?"
"No. I got her email and told her to call me."
"Well at least that is something. Don't worry about her Holly. I'm sure she's okay."
"I hope so Mick. I lost one parent this week, I don't want to lose the other."
"I know what you mean. Let me know when you hear from her, okay?"
"Yeah, I will. You know something, Mick. I sure could use some company later."
"Really? You have any idea with who?"
"Yes. Would you like to stop by later?"
"I have a better idea. Carla and I were going to throw a couple of steaks on the grill, why don't you stop by my house. I'm sure I have enough for another mooch."
