Wild Secret

here with your current husband?"
Deborah shook her head. "Victor died two years ago. Stroke." She snapped her fingers. "Had a brain bleed and was dead before he hit the ground. I was devastated at the time, but the more I think about it, the more I believe he got off easy. He didn't have to suffer or linger on as some people do."
"What can you tell me about the day Skyler disappeared?"
She took a moment to recall the era. “I was working at the time. I didn't usually get home until the evenings. Paul worked shifts. Sometimes he was on days, sometimes nights. Anyway, Skyler went to school that day and never came home.”

17
"When did you report her missing?" I asked.
Deborah thought about it for a moment.
“Skyler was always home by dinner. Sometimes, in the afternoon, she’d hang out with friends or do whatever. When she didn't make dinner that night, I started to get worried. I called around to her friends, and they hadn't seen her since school."
"So, she definitely was in school that day?"
“The school confirmed she was in attendance. I called her boyfriend at the time. He hadn't heard from her. I think he came over and went looking for her with Paul at all the usual hangouts. The two of them went out several times over the next few weeks looking for her."
"What was her boyfriend's name?"
"Marshall Noonan.”
"What was their relationship like?"
She shrugged. "I guess it was a fairly typical high school relationship. As I recall, Marshall seemed a little possessive."
"Did he get jealous easily?"
"That he did. He wanted her to spend all of her time with him. Skyler was pretty independent and liked her space. I stayed out of her relationships. I figured if I told her what to do, she’d do the opposite."
"Did you two get along?"
"Apart from the usual teenage drama, we had a good relationship. At least, I'd like to think so."
"How did you feel about Marshall?"
"I figured he wouldn’t stick around long, and that was fine by me. I really didn’t think he was going places. Wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, if you know what I mean. Good-looking boy. I just kept praying that he didn't knock her up."
JD and I exchanged a glance.
“Do you know for a fact they were engaged in a sexual relationship?"
"It's what hormonal high school kids do. I told her to be careful and use protection. Apart from that, I didn't want too many details."
I hesitated for a moment, trying to determine how to tell Deborah that Skyler was pregnant at the time of her death. When I did, she cried at the loss of a potential grandchild.
“I take it she never mentioned anything?”
Deborah shook her head. “Do you know who the father is?"
"Not at this time,” I said.
"With DNA, you should be able to tell, right?"
I nodded. "Yes, ma'am. We'll just need to collect samples from potential fathers."
She lifted a curious eyebrow. "Potential fathers?"
I shrugged. "We have to keep the possibilities open."
Deborah took a deep breath and nodded. "I don't think she was promiscuous, but you never know."
“Did Marshall ever get violent with her?"
"He would get angry. Never in front of me. But Skyler mentioned he would get verbally abusive at times. I told her she didn't need to put up with any of that. I put up with too much of that from her father.” She sighed. “Tom, God love him, he was a good man, but when he drank, sometimes it was like a switch had flipped. He could say the meanest things."
"Was he abusive toward Skyler?”
"Physically? No. But they got into a few shouting matches when he’d come home drunk.”
“How often was that?”
She shrugged. “More often than I liked.”
"What about Skyler’s friends?"
"You need to talk to Tiffany McKnight. They were thick as thieves back in the day. Beautiful girl. Bubbly, vivacious. Little bit of a troublemaker. When the two of them got in trouble, it was usually Tiffany's instigating. They were best friends since grade school."
"Do you know if she’s still in the area?"
"She is. She's done pretty well for herself too. I see her on that commercial that plays on late-night TV for her real estate company. I'm not sure, but I think she lives over in Stingray Bay."
"I think I know who you’re talking about," JD said.
“Is Paul still in town?” I asked.
“He is. He lives a few blocks over on Atlantic Avenue. I can give you the address.”
“Please,” I said.
“Do you have any idea who did this?” she asked in a desperate tone.
“We’ll do everything we can.”
“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t suspect Marshall. He was obsessed with Skyler. And I think she might have been ready to move on.”


18
We left Deborah's and headed over to Oyster Avenue to grab dinner. Brenda had given me Paul's number and address. I figured we’d talk to him in the morning.
Faye’s band, Lip Bomb, was playing later, and we had told her we'd show up and offer moral support—not that they needed it. Lip Bomb was steadily growing a loyal following.
Jack wanted to eat at Wetsuit, and he got no argument for me. There were always plenty of visual delights—waitresses sauntering around in bikini bottoms and tight-fitting neoprene jackets. We took a seat at a high-top table near the bar, and an adorable blonde named Lana took our order.
Crash had never returned my calls, so I figured I would pester him again, just to make sure he was all right. I was starting to get worried about the guy. To my surprise, he picked up the phone when I called. His voice was dreary. "What do you want?"
"Is that any way to talk to your manager?"
He didn't say anything.
"You weren’t at band practice the other day. Just want to make sure everything is good with you."
"Oh, yeah, it's just peachy," he said, his voice full of sarcasm.
"I heard about you and Faye.”
"I don't want to talk about it."
"Fair enough. But you’re part of the band, and