Chapter 12

A/N: I've had writer's block, but now I have better sense of where I'm going with this story. Thanks guys, I know it's been awhile, but I will finish it.

"So where do we begin?" Ruthie asked.

Eryl shrugged. "I've been at a loss of that myself for the time being. I think we kind of just need to lay low for awhile. Maybe some clues will come along the way."

"This isn't Blues Clues," Ruthie snapped. "We won't be able to fix this problem in 30 minutes, and have help from a talking salt and pepper shaker."

Eryl gave her a small smile. "I know, Ruthie. But hopefully we'll find the answers we're looking for, sooner or later." He stood up and stretched. Ruthie admired his well-formed body. She quickly caught herself. Please! I'm happily married. "Anyway, care to catch a movie? I know you're married," he said quickly. "This isn't a date."

"I'd better not." Ruthie stood. "It's a small town, my sister is the associate pastor, and people will talk."

Eryl nodded. "I completely understand." He grinned sheepishly. "Then how about the next town?"

"News travels fast."

Eryl laughed. "You don't stop laughing or smiling, do you?" Ruthie asked.

Eryl shrugged, a twinkle in his eye. "Can't help myself. Life is too grand. Look, at least let me buy you something to eat or drink."

Ruthie didn't decline the offer. "Well, I am a little thirsty." She looked over at Pete's, the pizza parlor where Mary had worked years before, and the place where Peter and she had often eaten, dark and quiet; the place wouldn't open for another few hours. "But where can we get a drink at this hour? The local pharmacy?" She tried chuckling, but it wasn't that funny.

"Nah, I can get into Pete's no problem."

"How's that?"

"Pete and my father went way back, and I've helped Pete out with his store some since you've been gone. He's given me a spare key, and as long as I leave a note telling him what I took so he doesn't worry that it was a burglar or something, he's fine with it."

"Pretty nice of him."

Eryl nodded. "Really."

They both went inside and took cokes from the fridge. Eryl left a quick note for Pete, and they went back outside. Ruthie sipped her coke, and shivered. She was getting a little tired; it had been a long day, and seeing her family was still an adjustment.

Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, Ruthie spotted Paris Petrowski. She was sure it was Paris. She had aged a bit, and looked tired and worn out, but she didn't look old. Paris wore a long, black dress with sequins on the front, showing off her figure, and black heels. Her hair was neatly pulled back in a clip. She wore minimal makeup, but had silver studs in her ears. What was Paris doing here at this hour? Especially all dressed up?

"I think we may have an answer sooner than we think. It's Paris," Ruthie whispered.

Paris didn't notice either of them. She was looking nervously around the Promenade, and then every few seconds glancing at her cell phone, and then back up again.

"What's her story?" Ruthie asked.

Eryl shrugged. "I haven't seen her around in awhile," he whispered back. "I thought she'd left town shortly after my arrival."

Paris began to pace. Ruthie watched her movements, as the black dress hugged tightly around her slender legs. Click, click, click, went the movements of her heels.

"Baby," a deep, husky voice spoke, as Ruthie heard heavy footsteps coming closer.

"I thought you wouldn't come." Ruthie could hear the tension in Paris' voice.

"Oh, Baby, you know I'm always late. My, don't you look nice tonight."

Ruthie didn't know the voice of the guy, and she couldn't make out what he looked like.

"Th—thank you."

Ruthie watched as they began to walk away. "We have to follow them!"

She began to walk, but Eryl pulled her back. "Don't. Don't do anything stupid. And this, by definition, is stupid."

"So then what do you propose we do?"

Eryl looked at her, and said, very calmly, "We wait."