Page 23 of Shadow of Death
“We haven’t actually cracked anything,” Amy said. “I’m afraid we found your people, but not in the way we would have wished to have found them.”
“Of course not, and I’m sorry. I’m Josh Bentley,” the officer said. “I’m hoping to make detective one day, and I think it’s amazing you got here in the afternoon and made a major discovery on this many cases in just a couple of hours. Sorry again—all city and county police around here are talking about you. In a good way! And we are all ready to help with whatever you need, on duty or off. Just say the word.”
“Thank you. When we’re all working together, that’s always the best,” Amy said politely. “We need local help, for sure.”
“What’s gone on here today—anything?” Hunter asked.
“I called it in when the woman visiting arrived. I was given the go-ahead to let her in, but I spent a large part of the first hour or so going in and out, just to check on Carey. But it seems these two are good friends. Hayden cried and Carey cried and they hugged and...now, they’re just sitting together, watching television, talking.”
“Thank you,” Amy told him. “We’re not going to be long.”
“I will be here. I don’t even take a break for the john until my replacement comes on,” Bentley assured them.
“Okay, then. You can feel free to take a break for the next fifteen minutes. We won’t leave until you’re back,” Hunter said.
“Really? Maybe I will get some coffee.”
“Go right ahead,” Amy told him.
He smiled, lifted a hand and started down the hall. Amy and Hunter entered Carey’s room. Carey was sitting up in her hospital bed. Hayden was seated in a chair next to her, and the two of them were watching a sitcom together.
But Carey looked anxiously to the door as they entered, then brightened and smiled as they came to stand by the bed and greet both women.
“Thank you so much for coming,” Carey said.
Her eyes were bright today; her coloring was good. She’d probably be released from the hospital soon.
“I told you I’d report every day,” Amy said softly. She grimaced. “I wish I had good news. We’re looking everywhere, and teams of police and FBI are searching phone records, credit cards, traffic cams—you name it. We will find Don.”
“Not if...” Hayden began, but she saw the way Carey looked at her and she quickly added, “Not if he did just take off for some strange reason.”
“You meant, not if he’s in a mud pit in the back of the caves,” Carey said.
“Okay,” Hunter told her. “He’s not in the mud pits in the caves. Forensic teams have gone through the entire web of a national erosion system there and Don has not been found.”
“So, we remain hopeful,” Amy said.
“Of course, of course,” Carey murmured. “I just can’t... I was finally out with him. And now...this. Do you think...”
“Carey, he would never have left you there on purpose,” Amy said.
“But if he didn’t—” Carey said.
“Maybe he’s in hiding. Maybe he saw whoever was luring people into the caves or dragging them there from elsewhere and dumping them. And he’s hiding. The thing is, Carey,” Hunter said, “at this time, we just don’t know.”
“Right,” Carey said. “And thank you. Thank you for coming, and for being honest with me.”
“Hey, I’ve been here all day!” Hayden reminded her.
“And I am so grateful!” Carey said. “But! You were saying you wanted to go to the real coffee bar downstairs and get something,” she told Hayden. “We joked about just how bad the coffee is—well, you know. Hospital food and all. Nutritious, but...”
“Not the best!” Hayden said, wrinkling her nose.
“Go get coffee,” Amy told her. “We’ll stay until you get back.”
“Oh. Uh, you sure? I mean, I’m not sleeping here or anything. I’ll leave when visitor hours are over, and I can wait until then,” Hayden said.
“We’re here—go,” Amy said, giving the woman an encouraging smile.
