Long, determined strides carried him to the door. He forced himself to control his knocking. Pounding on the door, as if trying to break it down, would only increase Melody’s reluctance to talk to him. Due to his performance earlier in the day, he’d be lucky if she didn’t slam to the door in his face. Not that it mattered. She’d talk to him, and tell him what he needed to know, whether she wanted to or not. At this point in time, he wasn’t above using some strong interrogation techniques if needed. If she was innocent, she’d just add it to his already lengthy list of sins. But, if she knew more than she should... Well, it didn’t really matter then, did it?
There was no response to his knocking and he strained his ears to hear sounds of movement inside. After a moment, he determined she either wasn’t home, or she was sleeping. Checking over his shoulder to ensure no one was watching, Ryne strategically applied forced to the door and it popped open. Once inside, he listened again, but the small cabin was silent. He scanned the kitchen area, then quickly made his way to the bedroom, only to freeze in the doorway. The bed was stripped, the closet door open revealing empty hangers. Pulling open the dresser drawers, he swore. Melody had already packed and left.
A frustrated growl rose in his throat and he ran his hand through his hair, agitatedly contemplating his next move. Her scent was still strong, so she hadn’t been gone too long. Would she stop in Stump River before she left? Possibly. Melody had made friends with several of the residents and he couldn’t see her just leaving without saying goodbye. Maybe he could catch up to her in town.
He ran to his truck and hopped in. Gravel spewed from beneath his tires as he gunned the engine and headed towards Stump River, determined to find Melody before she left. He had to discover what she knew and, if necessary, ensure that she never left the area to spread the information further.
*****
Ryne parked behind Miller’s Service Station, and jogged across the road. He’d check the diner first, then the Gazette. Surely, between the two places, he’d find Melody or at least information on where she’d gone and when.
Pulling open the door, he stepped inside. Absentmindedly, he noted the supper crowd was just starting to wander in, the general din slowly rising as debates were held about the various menu selections while Al banged and clanged his pots and pans in the kitchen. Blocking out the noise, Ryne scanned the tables. Melody wasn’t there and he felt his jaw tighten in frustration. Forcing a casual expression, he wandered up to the counter and sat down hoping Lucy was on duty. He hadn’t talked to her much recently, his attention having shifted to Melody, but he was sure the waitress would be willing to chat and share some information with him.
“Hi there! Can I help you?” A cheery young voice spoke behind him and he swung around surprised. He’d been so intent on looking for Lucy, he’d missed the presence of the other waitress. Pencil and order pad clutched in her hands, a young girl of about seventeen stood smiling at him expectantly.
“Yeah...I need to speak to Lucy.”
“Sorry, but she’s gone on vacation. I’m filling in for her. Do you want to see a menu?”
Gone? Lucy was always here or at the bar. Ryne frowned and stared at the girl’s name tag. Tabitha. She probably wouldn’t know anything useful about Melody. Who would? Ruth? Maybe. “Um...is Ruth available?”
“Probably... I didn’t do anything wrong did I?” The girl looked nervous. “This is my first time waitressing and—”
“No. Everything’s fine.” He pasted one of his most charming smiles on his face to reassure her. “I just need to ask Ruth a question.”
“Oh. Okay.” Tabitha looked relieved. She grinned at him and scurried off into the kitchen.
A moment later Ruth appeared, wiping her hands on a towel. “Oh! It’s you, Ryne. I wondered who that girl was talking about. She was practically giddy about the ‘hunk’ who wanted to talk to me.” Ruth chuckled. “I should have known it was you or one of your friends. What can I do for you?”
Impatient over the time he’d already wasted, Ryne got right to the point. “I need to find Melody. Do you know where she is?”
“Well, you just missed her by a bit. She and Lucy left around four-thirty.”
“Left? For where?” He struggled to keep the sharp urgency from his voice. Apparently he was only partially successful as Ruth cast him a puzzled glance before answering.
“Chicago. Mel was heading back home for some reason—she never did say why she was going so sudden like.” Ruth frowned before continuing her train of thought. “Anyway, Lucy was going with her for an impromptu vacation. It’ll do Lucy good to get away for awhile, don’t you think? That girl works way too hard. And she’ll be a help for Mel, too, seeing as how the girl wasn’t feeling good when she left.”