Page 62 of Vicious

CHAPTER 16

Chase

I’m exiting the civil court hall, annoyed that I’d even had to go in person in the first place, when I notice somebody waving in my direction from the bottom of the stairs. At first, I ignore them, until the person walks in my direction, and I realize just who it is.

Simon Sparks, May’s father.

“Simon!” I greet, as if I actually want to see him. “What brings you here?”

Simon stops in front of me. I notice the very obvious bandage over his ear, haphazardly covered by slightly-too-long hair. The rumors about what happened are doing the rounds, getting more fantastical each time. One of the judges told me she’d heard it had been a woodworking accident, although she didn’t explain how Simon could have accidentally cut off his own ear.

I might be one of the few people who actually knows how he lost the ear, but I’m not going to tell anyone.

May hadn’t even told me; Giulio Pavone had gone onto a long tangent about it when he’d called me to discuss May.

“Chase, good to see you,” Simon says. He’s normally a cheerful sort of guy, if a little bit nervous, but he’s twitchier now. “I was wondering, do you have just five minutes to chat? We can grab a coffee from the stand.” He motions toward the coffee cart that’s always outside the court hall.

I don’t want to talk to him. I don’t even want to be here at all, because this entire detour has put me off schedule.

But I’d promised May a few updates on her beloved Baba, and it probably wouldn’t hurt just to see what he wants.

“Sure,” I answer congenially. “I could do with a coffee.”

As we walk down the stairs, I take the time to observe Simon. He was never the sharpest dresser, but his clothes look worse now, rumpled and unwashed. I’d never go out in public in a suit so badly wrinkled.

Maybe he always had May doing his laundry. I try to imagine forcing her to do my laundry at home, and I’m sure she’d throw the clothes back at my face.

Or maybe she wouldn’t anymore. She’s been more subdued since the whipping, and she hasn’t fought back as much when I go to bother her.

I should be happy about her newfound obedience. I should want her to hang on my every word like Hunter’s girl does for him.

But it’s all a little bit boring.

I pay for our coffees, ignoring Simon’s relieved expression, and wait for him to finally tell me what he wants.

“Chase, ah, this is awkward,” Simon says after a few sips of coffee. “The thing is… um. I don’t suppose you could help a friend out?”

I stare at him, trying to figure out what he’s insinuating. “Help out?”

“Well, the thing is.” Simon sighs. “I know you like May, and she’s… Well, she’s gone missing. I thought maybe somebody with your resources could…”

“Gone missing?” I ask, hoping I sound confused. “What do you mean, gone missing?”

Simon winces. “I thought I knew where she was, but when I stopped by a few weeks ago, she wasn’t there. You have connections, right? I tried talking to some of my friends in the police force, but nobody wanted to talk to me anymore. So I was hoping…”

“How missing are we talking here?” I ask, the lies coming just as easily as always. Apparently even the irony of this whole situation doesn’t prevent me from playing my part. “If she simply decided to leave, you know there’s nothing anyone can do.”

“No! May-May didn’t decide to leave!” Simon’s expression turns desperate. “Please, you have to believe me. When I went to law enforcement yesterday… I told them she used to… she used to dance at a strip club, but they said the club is gone now. I tried to reach out to the owner, but all the lines are down. I don’t know what to do.”

That actually catches me by surprise. Ntimacy is gone? I hadn’t heard about that, but I guess I haven’t had a need to visit the place ever since I got May all to myself.

I force myself to scowl at Simon between sips of coffee. “What do you mean, she was working at a strip club? May wouldn’t do that.”

Simon tenses and averts his gaze. “She wouldn’t usually, but there were circumstances. It was my fault. But I swear, I’m working to fix it. I have a few things lined up. People who can help me. I know I can earn it all back, with some time and luck.”

I don’t think he meant to say that last part, because he mumbles it quietly.

Time and luck?