Cliffhanger Theater!

The door swung open and hit the wall with a loud crack. Will Hetfield walked past the airport security and up to the medic. “How long?”

“Five, maybe ten minutes. It really is hard to tell how long he’s been unconscious.”

“Who found him?” Hetfield’s glance darted around all the security officers.

Tyler stepped forward. “I found him in here a few minutes ago.”

“Was there anyone else in here?”

“No Detective. I didn’t see anyone in here, nor did I see anyone leaving. I didn’t disturb the scene either, and we don’t have cameras in here.”

Hetfield closed in on Tyler. “Do you have a problem?”

“Let’s just say I’ve never gotten along with the S.F.P.D. Do you have a problem with airport security detective?”

“You’ve never lost my luggage.”

“That’s not our job.”

“No, your job is to stand around and…”

“Hey hey HEY!” Clayton pushed the two men apart. “Let’s all calm the hell down! Seriously!”

Hetfield backed off, but Tyler didn’t move. “Excuse me, are you with the police?”

Clayton turned to the medic. “Agent Clayton Iron-Horse, F.B.I. Is he dead?”

“No, it looks like he was knocked out by blunt force trauma to the back of the head. He might have a concussion, but his breathing and blood pressure are normal.”

“Take a look at this” came a voice from inside the stall. Clayton and Will peeked their heads into the stall. “There’s a wallet on the toilet.”

Hetfield pulled a pair of gloves out of his suit jacket and picked up the wallet. “It looks like the guy’s wallet, and there’s plenty of money. I think we’re looking at grand theft clothing.”

***

“I never found out why.” Phil was speaking softly, and Bob had trouble hearing him over the noise of the train.

“I thought you had a note.”

“The note…” Phil shook his head, pulled his knees in close, and wrapped his arms around his legs. “Yeah, there was a note. It just said she wasn’t happy in Sioux Falls anymore, and that something was missing. Of course, it had all the ‘it’s not you it’s me’ stuff every letter like that has. She didn’t say much else. I tried to call, but her phone was off. I wrote to her sister, but I never heard back. Her website was off GeoCities, and her LJ was gone too. Her workplace didn’t even know she was quitting until the day she left.”

Bob didn’t know what to say. He couldn’t stop thinking about the letter. “If we got off the train here, and we ran into her, what would you say?”

Phil looked up and out of the door. “I think I’d just ask her why. I…I need to know what I did wrong.”

“Who’s to say it was your fault? It might have have been all in her mind.”

“Maybe…” Phil looked up, then stood up. “It’s time to decide. I’m seeing what looks like Aberdeen.” Houses were now appearing frequently, and the the train was slowing down. “So, what are we going to do?”

Bob took a deep breath. He stood up and pondered his options, but he couldn’t shake the thought of the letter from Michelle Phil didn’t know about. He had to tell Phil. Or did he?

“You know, I think this is a good place to disembark.”