What Happens on the Cruise

48. Without You

"Is it possible your 'friend' picked up someone in the bar or was picked up by someone and left of his own accord?" Detective Sorenson asked.

Tim gritted his teeth at the verbal quotes he could hear loud and clear around the word "friend". He leaned forward. "Look. He isn't the sort to cheat. And, yes, I am verifying what you've been implying."

"Did you two have a fight?"

"No."

The detective gave him a doubtful look.

"We have not been fighting. There's no reason for Austin to go looking for what he's already getting."

Sorenson still looked a little doubtful, but shrugged. "Okay, give me a physical description, and if you can remember what he was wearing..."

"Six foot one and a half inches, a hundred and forty to a hundred and fifty pounds, slender build..."

"Obviously," the detective commented.

"What?"

"He'd have to be slender at that height and weight combination."

"Right. He's white and pretty pale. Light red-brown hair, shoulder length, curly but not real curly. Blue eyes. He has a scar on his forehead, but it's pretty faint. You'd have to get really close to notice." Tim closed his eyes and summoned an image of Austin at the show. He started describing the outfit in detail.

"Damn, they really are like that," the detective muttered under his breath.

"Excuse me?"

"I suppose you know what underwear he had on."

"As a matter of fact, I do. Do you have a problem with that?"

***

Tim emerged from the interview room looking thunderous.

"Ross," the detective called, waving a sheet of paper at an underling. "Get an APB out."

"You okay?" Chris asked.

"He's a homophobic asshole," Tim growled.

"Mr. and Mrs. Lundquist? You're next. This shouldn't take long."

***

The whole group crowded into Tim and Austin's hotel room, looking grim. Tim sat on the bed, holding Satchmo close. "I feel so helpless."

"I'd feel more encouraged if that detective didn't spend so much time in every single interview trying to get one of us to say you two had been fighting," Rob said.

Adam shook his head. "It was so infuriating. He had the gall to say something like, 'Well, you know how horny those bisexuals can be.'"

"Adam smacked him down pretty hard," Ericha said. "He goes, 'Well, I'm pansexual and somehow I've managed to be faithful to my wife since we first started dating.'"

"Wait. You're pansexual?" Nate asked Adam.

"God, how many times do I have to come out? Yes, I'm pan. Any questions?"

"Well, not right now," Nate replied.

"Okay," Chris interrupted. "I think we're all just going to worry ourselves into exhaustion. This is out of our hands and whatever comes next... we'll be better prepared to face it with at least a little rest."

There were nods and murmurs of agreement.

"I'm going to say a quick prayer and then let's all get to bed. Okay?"

Chris took Tim's hand, then offered the other to Adam. Adam took it and slipped his other arm around Ericha, whose hands were full with holding Cerise. She offered her elbow to Kelsey, who took it and clasped Rob's with her other hand. The circle continued through Johnny, Allen, Nate, and back to Tim. They all bowed their heads, hearts full of fear and anger and worry as Chris's voice led them to lay those down and seek the peace of God.