Chapter 3

"We got several motives for Zach's kidnapping from his friends," Shawn said. "Now let's see what we get from Ashley's family." They were approaching the large, white house where Ashley Waters' family lived. The lawn and garden were perfectly kept, just like every other house on the street. The cars in the driveway were clean and shiny, new-looking.

"Hello?" a woman with short red hair came to the door.

"Mrs. Waters, I presume?" Shawn joked.

"Shawn!" Gus whisper-yelled. He turned back to Mrs. Waters, a polite smile on his face. "We're here to ask about Ashley."

"She's always loved to act," Mrs. Waters told them once they were sitting on the couch in the spotless family room, Mr. Waters, a man with thinning light blond hair, at her side. "She was in the Sound of Music when she was five, and ever since, we haven't been able to keep her away from auditions. She's been in five plays and ten musicals."

"Her favorite was Grease, when she was thirteen," Mr. Waters added. "I think she liked all the dancing."

"Ashley has a beautiful voice," Mrs. Waters said. "She's auditioning for Wicked in the spring, for Elphaba. She's very confident."

"And next fall they're doing Doubt," Mr. Waters said. "Ashley wants to be Sister James."

"Ashley's one of six, isn't she?" Shawn asked.

"Yes, she's the third," Mr. Waters answered. "How did you know."

"I'm a psychic, sir," Shawn answered nonchalantly.

"I guess she always felt like she had to do a little something extra to be noticed around here," Mr. Waters sighed.

"How did her siblings feel about her success?" Shawn asked.

"They're very supportive," Mr. Waters answered. "We all go to see Ashley perform, except our oldest. She's at school in New York. And our youngest daughter absolutely idolizes her. She was in the Sound of Music this last time, as Marta."

"You have only one son if I'm correct," Shawn said.

"Yes," Mrs. Waters answered. "Spencer, he's eighteen, living in the basement."

"Working at Pizza Hut?" Shawn asked.

"Yes," Mr. Waters said. "He graduated in the top five percent in his class. He could have gone to Columbia like his sister. Now that's someone whose got her priorities straight, pre-law. But instead, he decides to live in our basement and deliver pizzas."

"So, as successful as Ashley was, your pride still rests with your oldest daughter?" Gus asked.

"We're proud of Ashley," Mrs. Waters answered. "It's just that Lauren's come so far. You know, she had trouble reading when she was younger, and she was the oldest, which meant that she had to baby-sit instead of studying on weeknights."

"Lauren's life was harder," Gus nodded. "And your younger daughters?"

"Well, we already told you, Mackenzie idolizes Ashley," Mrs. Waters said.

"Is that some anger?" Shawn asked. "Would you rather she not?"

"We'd rather she idolized Lauren," Mr. Waters answered.

"Did Ashley know you felt this way?" Gus asked.

"Look," Mr. Water said. "We're not saying we aren't happy with Ashley for pursuing a career in theater rather than a more respectable job. If it's her dream she should go for it. She's got the natural talent, and she was never great in school. But we don't want Mackenzie doing that, too. She's such a smart girl, straight A's all the way through second grade. If she keeps it up, she'll be on the fast track to the Ivy Leagues."

"I see," Shawn thought for a minute. "And Ashley's other younger sisters?"

"Well," Mrs. Waters thought. "Kayla is very involved in sports. She'll be going into high school next year, and she's sure to make the junior varsity teams in soccer and basketball at least. Probably volleyball, we'll see about softball. Sophia is more like Lauren than any of the others, except she wants to be a doctor. Then again, so did Spencer until he graduated."

"But how do they feel about Ashley?" Shawn asked.

"They enjoy going to her shows," Mrs. Waters said. "Not as much as Mackenzie, of course. The only time either of them has ever had a problem was when we had to miss Kayla in the championships to see Ashley in High School Musical, but that was two years ago."

"Mrs. Waters," Gus said. "Do you think Spencer's lack of motivation has anything to do with Ashley's success?" The couple exchanged shocked glances.

"Mr. and Mrs. Waters," Shawn said, standing up. "Can you take me to Spencer's room?"

"Spencer, come up here!" Mr. Waters immediately called.

"Why do you need to talk to Spencer?" Mrs. Waters asked, looking worried. "Surely you don't think he did this."

"No," Shawn assured her. "We just need to talk to him. Just to get a better handle on Ashley."

A boy with short blond hair in a dark hoodie appeared in the doorway. "What?" he asked.

"Spencer," Mrs. Waters said, turning to face her son. "This is Shawn and Gus. They're helping us find Ashley. They need to talk to you."

"What for?" Spencer demanded. "Am I a suspect now. What did you tell them?"

"Don't worry," Shawn called. "You're not in any trouble. I just have some questions about your sister." Spencer hesitantly made his way over to the couch. Shawn nodded at Mr. and Mrs. Waters to leave.

"So, you sister," Shawn began. "She gets a lot of attention."

"Yeah," Spencer agreed. "Not as much as I got when I decided not to go to college."

"Is that why you did it?" Shawn asked. Spencer shrugged. "So, what about your sister?" Shawn continued. "How much trouble would be be willing to go to to be the center of attention?"

"She didn't do this for attention," Spencer said quickly. "Ashley wasn't like that. We were close, all those years we spent being overshadowed by Lauren. She wasn't an attention seeker. Besides, with Lauren in New York, Ashley was the center of attention. In fact, I think it kind of overwhelmed her. When Lauren left, all that residual attention fell on her. I think she encouraged Mackenzie to audition so she would have someone to share the spotlight with."

"So Ashley didn't start acting for attention?" It was more of a statement than a question.

"No, of course not," Spencer exclaimed. "She did it because she loved it."

"Spencer," Gus said, leaning forward and lowering his voice. "Did Ashley share things with you that she didn't tell your parents?"

"Yeah, of course," Spencer answered. "What did you think we talked about?"

"Did she ever mention Zach Taylor?" Gus asked.

"The better question would be, did she ever not mention Zach," Spencer replied. "She had this huge thing for him. It was cute. He had a girlfriend and all, so we both knew it wasn't going anywhere."

"Did she know that?" Shawn asked.

"Of course," Spencer answered. "Look, Ashley may not have been great in school, but she was a smart girl. She knew he was too old for her. It was harmless."

"How long had she and Zach known each other?" Shawn asked. "I'm seeing other productions."

"Yeah, they were in a bunch of shows together," Spencer answered. "I think their first was Tommy when Ashley was six. I remember seeing Zach. He had some voice, even then. He was only nine."

"Spencer, you've been quiet helpful," Shawn said. Gus nodded agreeably. "Keep in touch. Gus…"

"What?" Gus asked.

"Give him a card," Shawn said, nodding at Spencer Waters.

"Shawn," Gus whispered. "You know I only give cards to attractive women."

"What if he needs to contact us?" Shawn replied.

"It's got my personal cell phone number in the back," Gus argued. The two retreated into one of their whisper-fights, which invariably ended with Gus giving Spencer a card.