the age of eighteen, straight out of high school, he’d signed up for the franchise-training program at the deli he worked in. Within a year, he was opening his own store. Two years later, another, and another across town, and now he was returning from a planning meeting in a city fifty miles away where he was preparing to open more delis and supermarkets.
Liz, a recent college graduate with a philosophy degree, could do much worse than him, he thought. So, what was her problem? His phone rang and he quickly answered it.
“Hey, man, where are you? I called the hotel you were staying at and they said you checked out.”
“Hey, Darren. Yeah, I decided to come back a day early. What’s up?”
There was a long pause before his brother finally said, “Nothing—nothing, just wanted to see if you needed any last-minute help with anything.”
Darius frowned. “No, you just make sure you bring the ring.”
“Of course.”
His frown deepened. He loved his big brother, but Darren wasn’t exactly the reliable type. “Did your tux arrive?”
“Um…yeah, about that.”
Darius laughed, already knowing what his brother’s complaint would be. “What about it?”
“It’s green.”
“Sage.”
“What?”
“Sage. Liz picked the colors—not me.”
“At the shop we tried on black tuxes.”
“That was just for sizing. I thought I told you that?”
“You know damn well you didn’t say anything about green tuxedos.”
Darius laughed again. “Sorry, brother, but I’m just trying to make my new bride happy.”
“Are you sure you can?”
Darius felt a chill of premonition run down his spine. “What’s that supposed to mean?” He waited for several seconds but when no response came he prompted his brother again. “Darren, what the hell did you mean by that?”
Darren’s only response was a grunt.
Darius instantly realized his brother knew more than he was saying. “Look, Darren, if you know something, say it.”
“Nothing to say—I don’t know anything.”
“Then why did you say that?”
“Just messing with you. It was a joke. You’re too sensitive. Chill.”
Darius’s eyes narrowed. His brother was lying. “Darren, as my brother I would expect you to tell me if you saw something or even heard something about Liz while I was away.”
“Man, you’re overreacting.”
“Am I?”
“Look, I just called to see if you needed some help with the wedding stuff. Never mind.”
Darius listened as the phone went dead on the other end before turning off his own. Darren knew something. Something he was obviously hesitant to share. That short conversation was just enough to confirm Darius’s suspicions.
Before he could change his mind he leaned forward and knocked on the glass. “Instead, can you take me to 5682 Willard Avenue?”
The driver gave him a quick annoyed glance. “That’s thirty minutes in the opposite direction.”
“I know. I’ll make it worth your while.”
That seemed to appease the driver because as soon as he could find an appropriate place to turn around, he did, and headed back across town in the direction of Willard Avenue.
Thirty-five minutes later Darius was stepping out of the cab and paying the driver his fee and a fifty-dollar tip. The man nodded his satisfaction before pulling away.
Darius stood in the drive of the small family home belonging to the Donovans. Liz’s compact car was sitting in the drive right behind her father’s pickup truck.
He walked to the door and knocked. It was a warm June evening, so although he waited a few minutes and knocked again a couple of times, it was not an uncomfortable wait.
Finally, the door cracked partially and half a face topped with a couple of pink rollers appeared. “Darius? What are you doing here?”
“Evening, Mrs. Donovan. Sorry to disturb you so late. I was hoping to talk to Liz.”
Marian Donovan closed the door to remove the chain and opened it wide. “I’m sure she’s in bed already. Is something wrong?”
“Who is it, Marian?” A gruff male voice called from the top of the stairs.
“Sorry to wake you, Mr. Donovan, I was hoping to see Liz,” Darius called up the stairs.
The stairs creaked as the large man descended. “Darius? What’s wrong, son?”
Darius, starting to feel a little ridiculous for getting this couple out of their bed for nothing, tried to play down his concern. “No, nothing’s wrong. I just wanted to speak to Liz for a few moments, if it’s not too much trouble.”
They gave each other a strange look before Marian announced, “I’ll go wake her.”
“Thank you.” Darius called to her retreating back as she climbed the stairs.
“Come on in.” Will Donovan gestured to the living room. “Have a seat.”
The two men entered the small, cozily decorated room, and sat at opposite ends of the couch.
“You sure everything is okay, Darius?” Will asked, leaning forward to meet the younger man’s eyes.
Darius tried to smile reassuringly. “Yes, sir. It’s just that I haven’t been able to reach her by phone for a couple of days.” His smile widened to a grin. “Just want to make sure she hasn’t changed her mind.”
Will chuckled loudly. “Better not, considering the money me and her mama have spent on this little event.” He reached over and patted Darius’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, son. She’s probably just a little nervous. Perfectly natural.”
“Yes, sir.” Darius nodded obediently, and tried to tamp down his own concern as he watched Marian Donovan descend the stairs alone.
Her troubled eyes first went to her husband as both men stood to greet her. “She’s not in her room.”
Will frowned. “What do you mean she’s not in her room?” He crossed the floor and pulled back the curtains on the windows facing the front of the house. “There’s her car right there.”
“I know. She must’ve gone out with
