It was probably because of him. Travis just made me feel alive, like I could do absolutely anything. The man was infectious and incredible.
That lingering nightmare was entirely forgotten by the time we finished eating. And all it took was some pancakes.
The car ride was shorter this time. Instead of heading out into the hills on the edge of town, Travis took us south.
The houses in this neighborhood were larger and nicer, with green, manicured lawns and nice paint jobs. There weren’t rusted-out trucks in the front yards, but instead expensive BMWs and SUVs.
“The rich part of town,” Travis commented as we pulled up outside a nice-looking house with a white picket fence.
“Really? I didn’t notice.”
He grinned at me. “I don’t have a lot of friends from this neighborhood, but this guy knew my brother and Janey pretty well.”
“How?” I asked.
“He was the running back of the football team. I guess he was Ray’s best friend back then.”
I nodded. “What’s his name?”
“Sam Gray.” Travis killed the engine. “Looks like he’s done pretty well for himself.”
“Not too bad,” I agreed.
Travis climbed out. “Let me do the talking.”
“You got it, boss.”
He gave me another smirk before heading up the walk toward the front door. I followed him, not at all nervous. Before I would have had butterflies in my stomach at the prospect of interviewing another person for information, but not anymore, not after everything that had happened.
Travis knocked and we waited.
“Is he expecting us?” I whispered.
“Nope.”
“Travis! We can’t just ambush people.”
He shrugged. “Too late for that.”
The door opened and a pretty woman stood there wearing white pants and a green sweater, her blond hair pulled back into a messy bun.
“Hi there. Can I help you?”
“Ma’am, I’m looking for Sam. Is he around?”
“Sure. Samwell is here. Who can I say is looking for him?”
“Travis Rock.”
“Right. Just a second.” She shut the door and disappeared back inside.
“Guess he’s married,” Travis mused. “Never would have figured that.”
“Why?”
“He was something of a man whore back in the day.”
I nudged him. “Are you judging?”
He laughed. “Not at all.”
“I don’t know. I think I hear some judgmental tones.”
He gave me a look, but before he could respond, the door opened again.
Sam Gray was about five foot nine and covered in muscle. He looked like a little tough pit bull. He was wearing jeans and a simple white T-shirt, and he was marveling at Travis like he was seeing a ghost.
“My god,” he said. “It’s really you.”
“Hey, Sam.”
“Holy shit. Travis Rock. You look way different, man.”
“Guess so. You haven’t changed.”
“Come in. Who’s this?”
“Hartley, Travis’s friend,” I said.
“Good to meet you, Hartley. Come inside, come on.”
We followed him into the house and I looked around as we walked down the hall. It was a pretty place, immaculately kept, not a speck of dust anywhere. The decorations were simple and tasteful, and everything looked like it was straight out of a magazine.
Including Sam’s wife standing in the kitchen with a pitcher of lemonade. “Drink anyone?” she asked.
“Sure,” Travis said.
I politely declined as she poured two glasses. We followed Sam and his wife out the back door and onto the back porch where we sat down at a little table. Sam’s wife put drinks down in front of the boys and quickly left without so much as a word.
She was like a Stepford wife. It was a little disconcerting, but I didn’t let it distract me.
“How long’s it been?” Sam asked.
“Too long,” Travis said.
“I heard you were in the military.”
“Sure am. I’ve been traveling a lot in the last five or so years. I’m back in town for the first time in a long time.”
“It’s good to see you, man.”
“You too. But listen, Sam, I’m actually here for a reason.”
Sam laughed. “I figured. It’s never just to catch up on old times.”
“I wanted to ask you about Janey Caldwell.”
Sam’s face fell for just a moment before he quickly caught himself. He picked up and sipped his drink to cover his reaction, but I saw it. The mere mention of Janey’s name made him serious, maybe even a little afraid.
“What can I say about Janey?” Sam finally said. “She was popular and pretty. Everyone liked her.”