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so we’ve been busy.”
    Wires hung from under the helmet on both sides. Maybe it was some sort of videogame accessory or coach-player communication system.
    “What does it do?” I asked.
    He pointed to the wires on the left. “These are connected to sensors that provide information on the well-being of every player on a pro team.”
    “Uh huh,” I said. “What about the other side?”
    “Aside from a few left brain, right brain differences, basically the same thing. Kind of like a backup system,” he said a touch impatiently. “Honestly, I think I should be driving around looking for Bruce. It’s hard to sit still.”
    “I understand,” Dean said. “We feel the same way. This makes a difference, too, though. Tell us about the bachelor party. Was it last night?”
    I reconsidered being part of the conversation. What college grad wants to confess bachelor party faux pas to a mom? (Sometimes I forget not everyone sees me as a mom. No matter how I dress up and spackle my face, I still feel like a frazzled parent whose clothes and hair could use some ironing.)
    Todd winced and gave a little whistle.
    “I’m not gonna lie,” he said. “It was a doozy.” He eyed me skeptically.
    “Like it should be,” I fibbed, immediately picturing drunk lowlifes cheating on their significant others with barely dressed strippers. Jason’s infidelity haunted me at unexpected moments, and apparently this was one of them, since hot, angry fumes were roiling in my chest, and my cheeks felt like radiators.
    “I’ll let you guys talk for a minute,” I said. “I see someone I should snag.”
    I thought everyone would be better off. There was no way Todd was going to confide in me, and we needed the truth. Had anything happened at that party that could explain why Bruce wasn’t here, dancing the night away?
    Dean did a double take but nodded.
    “Sure,” he said to me. “Go ahead.” He looked back at Todd and smiled good-naturedly. “So what did you guys do?”
    I was dying to eavesdrop, but I made a beeline for the nearest bridesmaid, who was looking at her cell phone.
    “Hi,” I said to the pink fluff ball, whose name I hadn’t caught. “I’m Nicki, Mia’s cousin. We met in the church basement.”
    “I remember,” she said. “I’m Sadie. Actually, I just texted Mia, but she hasn’t responded. Things couldn’t get much worse, could they?”
    Only if Bruce were dead , I couldn’t help thinking. That was the investigator in me talking.
    “Let’s hope they get better soon,” I said. “Did you guys have a bachelorette party last night?”
    “Yeah. We all got mani-pedis and massages during the day. Then we went out dancing after the rehearsal dinner. Nothing too crazy. You know Mia.”
    I smiled. “What time did you guys get back?”
    “The limo dropped us off here around one. We all spent the night in the same room, like a sleepover, and we crashed pretty soon after getting back. No one wanted to be exhausted today.”
    “That makes sense. Were there any hints that something like this could happen?”
    “Not at all. That’s what’s so weird about it. Bruce seemed totally fine about getting married. No cold feet.”
    “And Mia?”
    “She couldn’t wait. This was her fairytale.”
    I shivered, knowing how gruesome fairytales could be. I had reservations about exposing my kids to some of them. For better or worse, they—and apparently Mia—found them irresistible.

      
    After a few more separate conversations, Dean and I reunited at the bar and resisted the urge to escape reality with alcohol. I had nothing fascinating to share, unless you count those awesome, pastel, melt-in-your-mouth mints they only serve at restaurants, which I’d found in a large bowl by the exit. I’d scooped up enough to last a while.
    “So how crazy did that bachelor party get?” I asked.
    “Not too bad. I’ll tell you all about it on the way home.”
    The way home. The kids were probably asleep, and Mom might be resting