Cut & Run (A Rachel Scott Adventure) - By Traci Hohenstein Page 0,8
or kids. He told Chris and the police that he doesn’t remember anything that happened the last few months prior to the incident. He doesn’t know how he got to Baton Rouge. Matt said he woke up behind the Dumpster three nights ago with a bad headache. That was the night he befriended Keith, the trucker.”
Rachel drained the rest of her beer. “Okay. So he was declared missing on Wednesday in New Orleans. On Thursday, he woke up behind a Dumpster at a truck stop in Baton Rouge. Ate dinner with a trucker and borrowed money from him. I’m assuming he didn’t have a wallet or cell phone on him?”
“Right,” Red answered. “He was confused and disoriented when the police got to him.”
“It wasn’t until Friday that Keith called us and the police. So where was Matt until that time? Where did Matt spend Thursday night, and why didn’t he call his brother?”
Red shrugged. “The police asked the same question. They think he was just sleeping or unconscious most of the time. But who knows. The only thing we know for sure is that Matt is having trouble with his memory.”
“Sounds like he has some form of amnesia.”
“That’s my guess. His brother took him to the emergency room at Our Lady of the Lake to get evaluated.”
“Retrograde amnesia. I remember that from my psychology classes at FSU. It usually results from head trauma.”
“Well, he does have a big ole goose egg on the back side of his head. Spots of dried blood on the back of his shirt and pants. The police took his clothes and shoes for evidence. They told his brother and lawyer to make sure Matt made no travel plans. All three of them are staying at the same hotel we are.”
The waitress came by and took their dinner order.
“I saw you eyeing the shrimp and grits at the next table,” said Red. “Why didn’t you get that instead of a salad?”
Rachel patted her stomach. “I can’t afford the calories.”
Red grunted and ran his hand over his shiny bald head. “You’ve lost weight since you’ve been in Mexico. You could stand to put on some pounds. You don’t have to order salad because of me. I don’t mind eating the rabbit food if that’s what keeps the ticker ticking.”
Rachel called the waitress back over and ordered the shrimp and grits. Red was right, she realized. She had lost a good bit of weight. She was five six and normally weighed around 127 pounds. But the last month had taken a toll on her, and none of her clothes fit properly anymore.
“Let’s go back to the beginning so I make sure I’m not missing anything.” Rachel dug into her purse for the small notebook she always kept with her. “Matt and his family were returning from soccer practice when they went missing. Right?” When she didn’t get a response, Rachel looked up from her notebook. Red’s attention was focused elsewhere. She followed his gaze to the hostess stand.
“Red? What is it?”
“I think you’d get a better sense of what happened if you ask him.” Red nodded to the guy waiting in front of the hostess stand. He was tall and dark haired, wearing jeans and a dark green shirt. “That’s Chris O’Malley. Matt’s brother.”
CHAPTER 5
Red walked to the front of the restaurant and asked Chris to join them. The tall man trailed Red back to their table.
“Rachel Scott,” Red introduced. “This is Chris O’Malley.” Chris O’Malley extended a strong hand. She shook it, taking in his dark curly hair and intense blue eyes. He was very tall, Rachel guessed around six three, and had a muscular build. There was no doubt that if Matt looked anything like him, they made a handsome pair of brothers.
“Nice to meet you,” she said. “I’m sorry to hear about your brother and his family. Red was just bringing me up to speed on what happened.”
Chris flagged down the waitress to order a beer. “I was just here to pick up some food for us so I can’t stay long.” He looked around the restaurant, drumming his fingers on the table. “Matt and I both graduated from LSU, and this was our favorite spot to hang out. I thought some familiar comfort food would help.”
“How is Matt?” Rachel asked.
“They ran some tests, did a CT scan. Doctors think he suffered a concussion. They’re going to keep him overnight for observation and then hopefully we can go home in the morning.”