Chapter Five: T.J.:

Great, fucking wonderful. The bride has done a runner. Somehow, I knew this would happen. Everyone is whispering about why she did it.

“Maybe she got cold feet?”

“I bet she has another man on the side.”

“She probably got involved in something criminal.”

I cleared my throat. The three female guests gossiping behind me went quiet. They shuffled off with their eyes to the floor. I pulled out my cell phone.

“Did you find her at her apartment?” I asked.

“No,” Art said. I raised my eyebrow.

“No?”

“That’s what I said.”

I rubbed my forehead. Nice… “As in no bride there?”

“Yeah.”

“Damn it.”

“She didn’t take anything with her.”

“What do you mean?”

“Everything’s still here—clothes, jewelry, money. Even her purse and dog are still here.”

I leaned back against the wall with a curious look on my face. “Is that right? Is there anything missing from the apartment?”

“No… Wait, hang on.” I heard rampaging on the other line.

“Art?” I asked.

“She did leave a note.”

“What does it say?”

“It’s a phone number. 745-972-8450.”

My face twisted in a confused face. “Why would she be calling someone from Nara?”

“Beats me.”

“Hm….”

“Now what?”

“Sit tight, will ya? I’ll get the crew together and see what we will do next.”

“Okay… I’ll see you soon.”

I stared at my phone and frowned. Shit, we’re going to have to go through more crap this year. Shit, man. Shit.