Chapter Sixteen: Before and After
Lisbon's frown deepened as she waited for the beep. "Hey, Jane. It's Lisbon…Uh, did you try to leave me a message? I think your phone might have dialed mine by mistake…Call me when you get this, okay? I'll leave my phone on this time."
Lisbon hung up, but didn't put the phone away.
Jane should be well on his way back from the widow's house by now. He couldn't still be there…could he?
Not wanting to bother Van Pelt (even though she probably had the Jorstens' home number memorized), Lisbon called Information. The operator put her directly through to Laura Jorsten's landline.
It rang…
…And rang some more.
Lisbon counted fifteen long, buzzing tones. No one answered, and no machine asked her to leave a message.
Finally, Lisbon disconnected the call.
Buck Hoskins was still over by the window, watching the sun slip away.
What about his wife? Van Pelt had asked.
And that uneasy flash across Hoskins' face – What about her?
A shiver danced its way down Lisbon's spine.
Before, she might've accused herself of paranoia. She might have convinced herself that Jane was fine, because he was always fine. That his phone was turned off because he wanted it off. That Laura Jorsten wasn't answering because she wasn't home.
But this was After.
After Lisbon had walked into an office and found a good friend and two coworkers lying slain, their blood painting the walls, forever proving that no place and no one was ever truly safe.
She dialed a new number and brought the phone to her ear.
"Carmine Valley Police Department. How can I direct your call?"
"This is Agent Lisbon with the California Bureau of Investigation. I need a favor…"