Twist

The wire hummed for a long time before Sid spoke again. "Well, of course, I don't think... I don't know... It's just that Ruth was here when we went to bed, but she isn't here now. Her bed's made, but it isn't like her to go off without me."

"That's strange."

"Uh... Um... Look in her office, will you?"

"Of course. Hold on a second." Sadie walked to Ruth's office and back so the time span would seem correct. "She's not there, Mr. Dedrick."

"I'll... I'll be right down." He hung up.

When Sid arrived, Sadie hurried to the door to meet him. "Any news of her?"

"None." He passed the receptionist's desk on his way to check in his own office, then in Ruth's. "Let's take a look in the business office, Sadie."

"I went there first thing. Ruth wasn't there." She watched Sid walk down the hall and take a covert look down the stairs. His face had a green tinge.

"Maybe you should call the police, Mr. Dedrick. If she's truly missing..."

"What do you mean, truly missing?"

"Oh, nothing really. It's just that many people who are reported missing turn up of their own free will in a day or two. Maybe Ruth has just gone to visit family."

Sid looked sick. "This can't be happening. I mean, this isn't a bit like Ruth."

"Is there anything I can do to help you?"

"Yes. Yes, there is, Sadie. Would you represent me at the Jackson service in Centerville? The Jacksons will understand once they hear the circumstances."

"Of course. I'll be glad to do that."

Sadie mourned for Ruth all the way to Centerville. And as she slipped into the back pew at the church, she thought it ironic that Sid had manipulated the Jacksons into choosing an expensive casket-- plenty of room for two bodies. And no danger of the second one's being discovered, since Sam's family wanted a closed-casket service.

As the organ began to play and the fragrance of candle wax drifted through the sanctuary, Ruth wondered if Sid realized that a missing person couldn't be declared legally dead for seven years. Somehow she doubted that Cassie would wait. And what if, after six years or so, the police received an anonymous tip as to the whereabouts of Ruth's body?