Page 24 of The Girl from Widow Hills
“That’s what I’m trying to say, if you would give me a minute.” His voice was slurred, the words tripping over one another. “In my office, trying to make sense of this shit schedule I’ve been given. Trying to see how I could make it work.”
“Make what work?”
“You. Us. I was stupid to let you go, so stupid, and—”
“Jonah, don’t do this. It was a mistake. I have to go.” I ended the call, my fingers faintly trembling.
I looked to the window again. It wasn’t Jonah out there in the bushes. This had absolutely nothing to do with me.
It was entirely plausible that I heard the phone, and it woke me. It was entirely plausible that I heard it in my sleep, and that was what brought me out there.
I decided something right then. The story was true, and I could believe it. It was as true a story as any: I heard the phone, I woke up, I saw the man, I ran.
The truest stories are the simplest ones.
Nina was still watching me. “What was a mistake?” she asked.
“Responding to a message from my ex last night.”
She nodded, then took in the room again, slowly tallying things one by one. The open window. The bed. The hallway. Back to me, eyes roaming over my clothes, my exposed skin. I followed her gaze to my knee, to the tear in the fabric, the red seeping through the makeshift bandage.
“Let’s get you to the hospital,” she said. “We should really get that checked out.”
I wasn’t sure whether this step was optional. Whether this was a suggestion or a requirement. What the rules were when you found yourself inside the orbit of a dead body. But I didn’t object.
This house would tell a story if she knew what to look for, and I didn’t want her to see some other possibility hidden underneath. I wanted her out of the house.
I wanted us both out, and far away from all of this, as soon as humanly possible.
TRANSCRIPT OF INTERVIEWS COMPILED AT SEARCH HEADQUARTERS
OCTOBER 19, 2000
PAMELA CROUCH:They weren’t doing enough. It was obvious. We know the difference between a rescue and a recovery.
CHARLIE MENDOZA:If we don’t do it, who will? That girl’s mother is watching. That girl is still out there somewhere.
WILLIAM HARRIS:It’s math. Get enough people and divide the area up. We’ve got enough people now. They’re coming in from everywhere.
ANITA LAFAYETTE:I heard there are divers coming.
CHARLIE:Heard they’re gonna drill down in some areas where they think there might be air.
PAMELA:I heard there are even more people coming. Volunteers from other states.
ANITA:The high schools are bringing some of their portable field lights. We’ll keep searching. We’ll keep at it until she’s found.
WILLIAM:They’re using infrared now. Got those from a hunting club, a group of concerned citizens. Like I said, it’s math. Get enough people, enough gear, and it’s just a matter of time.
