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By Root 1275 0

his own. After looking in the second-floor bathroom and every hall closet, Ben opened the door to Nathan’s room. Without turning on the lights, he slid open Nathan’s closet and poked his head inside. Convinced that he was alone, Ben then approached Nathan’s desk, focusing on the small stack of papers arranged in a neat pile. Not making a sound, Ben flipped through the pile. Grocery list, things-to-do list, birthday list, movies-to-rent list. Nothing of consequence. After returning the papers to their original position, Ben held his breath and cautiously pulled open the center desk drawer. Picking up the organizer that kept all the pens, pencils, and erasers in place, Ben slowly and methodically searched for anything that might lead to Rick’s whereabouts. After closing the drawer, Ben picked up the address book on Nathan’s nightstand. Reading each entry, he struggled to account for every name in the book.

“What the hell are you doing with my address book?”

Startled, Ben dropped the book and looked up, surprised to see Ober laughing in the doorway. “Don’t do that!” Ben yelled, picking up the book and returning it to its place.

“You should’ve seen your face. You were—”

“Is anyone with you?” Ben asked, rushing out of Nathan’s room.

“No. Why? What’s wrong?”

“Listen, I’m going to tell you something, but you have to swear you’ll never say a word.”

“I swear,” Ober said, pulling off his tie.

“I’m not joking,” Ben warned. “Not a word to anyone. Not Nathan, not your parents…”

“I swear,” Ober repeated as they walked down the stairs toward the living room. “Just tell me.”

After explaining the entire story to his roommate, Ben said, “So tell me: What do you think?”

“I can’t believe what you’re saying.” Ober’s eyes were wide with disbelief. “You expect me to believe that Nathan is in on this whole thing?”

“What else am I supposed to believe?”

“No way,” Ober slumped into a chair at the kitchen table. “Now you’re crazy. I mean, if you said Eric, I’d understand. In fact, last week I saw him in your room going through your garbage.”

“Did you ask him what he was doing?”

“He said someone took his classifieds section, so he wanted to see if it was you.”

“Well, it wasn’t,” Ben said. “You should’ve sent him to Nathan—he’s the untrustworthy one around here.”

“There’s no way in hell Nathan would do that,” Ober insisted. “I don’t believe it for a second.”

“Well, I do,” Ben said. “And at this point, that’s all that really matters. Lisa and I are trying to find—”

“How can you suddenly trust Lisa with everything?” Ober interrupted. “I mean, you always say I’m dense, but you must be a moron to tell her stuff again.”

“Listen, I don’t trust her for a second,” Ben said, walking over to the sink. He turned on the water and splashed some on his face. “As soon as she left the office, I started investigating her as well.”

“Then why tell her anything at all?”

“It’s simple. First, she can’t do me any real harm. Second, and I know you’ll never understand this, but she helps me think better.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I really can’t explain it, but when I brainstorm with her, I wind up with my best ideas.”

“Well, I hate to be the one to break it to you, but this isn’t just some Supreme Court decision you two are working on. This is your life, buddy-boy.”

“It is?” Ben said sarcastically. “And here I thought it was just a big ol’ game of Parcheesi. Dang.”

“I think you’re way off in space with this one,” Ober said, shaking his head.

“Fine. I’ll take your advice into consideration. Now, are you going to help me or not?”

“I’m surprised you trust me. I mean, I may be in on it, too.”

“No offense, but I thought about it.”

“Thanks,” Ober said. “I really appreciate the vote of confidence.”

“Listen, don’t get offended. I’m telling you, aren’t I?”

“I just don’t understand why you’re telling me.”

“Because I need you to do me a favor,” Ben said. “I had all of Lisa’s phone bills sent to your address at work. It was the only address I could think of that Nathan, Rick, and Lisa don’t have access to. When you get the bills, will you let me know so I