Page 50 of Forever Gone

Connor copied the description while Selena sent the photograph to the department’s secure address.

“What was she wearing when you last saw her?” Selena asked.

“Dark jeans. A red sweater. Brown ankle boots. She had her tan coat with her.”

“Any jewelry?”

“Wedding ring, silver watch, little gold studs in her ears.”

Connor said, “When did you last see her, exactly?”

“Yesterday. Around four in the afternoon.”

“Was anything out of the ordinary?”

Phil’s attention shifted toward the front window. “No.”

Connor watched him for a moment.

The answer had come too quickly.

“Are you sure?” he asked.

Phil pressed his lips together.

Selena waited without filling the silence.

“We argued,” Phil said at last.

“What was the argument about?” Selena asked.

“I’d rather not say.”

“It’s important that we understand the circumstances when she left.”

Phil glanced at her credentials, now resting beside the notebook. “Why is the FBI here? A missing adult doesn’t normally bring a federal agent to the door.”

“I’m assisting the sheriff’s department with several matters in the county. Sheriff Chase asked me to accompany him.”

Connor leaned forward. “What was the fight about?”

Phil clasped his hands between his knees. “We’ve been having problems. We started couples therapy a few months ago.”

“What kind of problems?” Selena asked.

“The usual. Money. Work. Not spending time together. She said I cared more about collecting old posters than I did about our marriage.”

Connor kept his attention away from the Raiders print.

“Was there infidelity?” Selena asked.

“No.”

“Violence?” Selena continued.

“No. Never.”

“Did either of you threaten to leave?”