become as a person and he took his big brother responsibilities very seriously.
“What’s up?” Wes asked as she and Conner got out of the truck. “I haven’t heard a peep out of Mike since I left him in the college parking lot.”
“He left me a note saying he was going to see your father in San Quentin,” Beth explained. “Did he say anything about that to you?”
Wes recoiled. “Hell, no, because if he had I would’ve sat his stupid ass down and told him all the reasons why that was the dumbest idea on earth!”
Beth noticed Conner fighting a smile.
“Did he seem okay on the drive in? Did he say anything that sounded weird?” Beth asked.
“No more than usual,” Wes said. “Although he wasn’t saying much at all, to be honest.”
“What time did you get here?”
“Earlier than I like, because I had to pick up a book from a friend, so just after nine.”
“What was Mikey wearing?” Conner asked. “And did he bring a backpack?”
Wes glanced over at Beth as if asking her permission to answer Conner’s question, and she gave him a tiny nod.
“White T-shirt with his college name on it, black and orange baseball cap, jeans, and red sneakers.”
“So pretty much the same as every other person getting on the bus,” Conner muttered.
“Pretty much.” Wes nodded. “He had his black backpack with him. He definitely had his laptop because he had a hissy fit when I tried to throw his bag in the trunk of the car.”
“And he didn’t say anything at all to you about not waiting around for him, or where exactly this job interview was taking place?” Beth asked.
“Nope, but I didn’t ask for details. I was just glad he was looking for work after being such a jerk about it to you.”
Conner glanced briefly at her but didn’t add to the conversation.
Beth shielded her eyes and looked toward the ticket office. “I suppose I can ask if they saw Mikey this morning. At least we think we know which bus he was trying to get on.”
Conner patted her shoulder. “Maybe he’ll still be sitting there, and you can just take him home.”
“I didn’t see him when I walked through,” Wes said dubiously. “But I guess he might have been hiding.”
The sun was at its highest point in the clear blue sky and the heat from the sidewalk was blistering. By the time she’d traversed the parking lot, Beth was already sweating. She was genuinely amazed to see an actual person sitting in the air-conditioned stillness of the tiny office behind the thick glass.
“Hi!” she said brightly. “I’m trying to check if my son got on the bus to Gardnerville this morning at nine thirty?”
The elderly lady smiled at her. “I’m afraid I’m not allowed to give out information about our passengers, ma’am.”
“Even to their mothers who are worried about their babies going out into the world?” Beth asked. “I mean, I know you can’t tell me ‘officially,’ but maybe if I show you his picture you could just nod if you saw him, set my mom’s heart at rest, and I can go home happy without him having any idea I was checking up on him?”
Even as the woman hesitated, Beth noticed her name badge.
“Are you by any chance related to Andy Ferraro, Dorothy? I went to school with Andy when he lived in Morgantown, and you look just like him.”
The woman beamed back at her. “He’s my great-nephew.”
“That explains it. I’m Kevin Baker’s daughter. My dad and brother own the gas station in town.” Beth offered another friendly smile. Sometimes living in a small town had its advantages. “I heard Andy’s living in Bridgeport now, but I’ve seen him at church with his parents on Sunday in Morgantown.”
“He’s a good boy.” Dorothy hesitated and then gestured at Beth’s phone. “Show me the photo, then.”
Beth held it up to the glass and Ms. Ferraro nodded. “He definitely got on the bus to Gardnerville.”
“Thank you so much.” Beth put her phone in her pocket. “I feel so much better now. Give my regards to Andy when you next see him.”
“Will do.”
Beth turned away to find Conner watching her intently while Wes stared down at his cell. He met her gaze and she walked toward him.
“He’s on the bus?”
“Yup.” Beth took a shaky breath and turned to Wes. “Look, after you finish up classes for the day, I want you to go straight home.”
Wes frowned. “It would be way better if you went home and I