Chapter 14: Owen's Bike

Maren called Owen back four times before she let herself understand.

It rang through to his voicemail each time, his cheerful recorded voice telling her to leave it after the beep.

She texted: Where are you. Answer me.

Nothing came back.

Behind her the door at the top of the stairs opened.

Jonah stood there with his coat over one arm and the car keys in his hand.

He had not changed his shirt, and the torn collar hung open.

He did not say anything about earlier.

"Owen?" he asked.

"Dale was at his door. Now he won't pick up."

"I'll drive."

She wanted to say no. She had said it twenty minutes ago and meant it.

She looked at the empty street, and at the sign buzzing red, and at the man who had held the needle.

"Fast," Maren said.

He took the stairs two at a time.

The car was a grey hatchback with a cracked dash.

Jonah ran two red lights on the wet streets, both hands tight on the wheel.

"Where does he live?" he asked.

"A rented house in Sellwood. Three roommates and a basement."

"Does he have a key lock or a code?"

"Key."

"Then Dale got him to open the door himself."

"Owen would open it to anyone nice."

"I know," Jonah said. "That's why Hester asked for him first."

Maren turned to look at him.

"What does that mean?"

"It means I should have told you in the laundromat," Jonah said. "She picks the sibling with the debt."

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