Page 5 of Shadow of Death
“She just has to see some of our beauty,” Andy insisted.
“I’m sure I will,” Amy said.
Andy was pulling into a driveway. The house they were visiting was two-story, built to resemble an old colonial. The yard was well maintained; and she knew it didn’t matter what state they were in, the owner was making an upper-middle-class income.
“She’s nice; you’re going to like her,” Andy said.
“Great,” Amy murmured.
Hayden Harperwasnice—and anxious. She opened her front door before they reached it and quickly asked them in. They had barely stepped across the threshold and already she was eagerly asking if they’d be more comfortable in the dining room or the parlor. Andy told her they were happy wherever. She wanted to get them coffee, tea, or—though she wasn’t sure if it was allowed—something stronger.
“Ms. Harper, we’re fine, thank you so much,” Amy told her. She wished she could alleviate some of the woman’s anxiety, but she knew it could be terrifying to wonder what had happened to friends or loved ones. She thought the woman was usually composed and at ease. She was closer to fifty than forty, an attractive woman some might call “completely together” with her casual but perfect linen pantsuit, impeccable makeup, and beautifully coifed silver hair. “Please,” Amy added, “if you’d like something, feel free. We’re here to listen to you.”
The woman nodded, then led them into her dining room and indicated the chairs. “I’m fine. Maybe I’ll get coffee. Maybe I’ve had too much coffee.”
Maybe she had, but Amy said gently, “You need to do what works for you right now.”
The woman smiled. Maybe she had grasped for some of her executive training because she managed to calm down.
“I’m fine. Too much coffee. So. I’ll tell you about Carey. She’s one of the finest little artists I’ve ever met. She can do sketches at a meeting with a client that blow your mind. We became friends soon after she joined the agency. She’s a health nut. A vegan. And she runs and hikes and you name it. The kid is in perfect shape. And that’s what I’ve been trying to tell the cops. She was going hiking. She told me she was super excited. She had enticed a boy she’d had her eye on to come with her on an adventure. Here’s the thing. We have caves and waterfalls you’re only supposed to visit with licensed guides. And I’m pretty sure Carey intended to goadventuringwhere she shouldn’t go,” Hayden said. “I talked to her on Saturday just before she started out. She was supposed to meet me for lunch on Sunday. She didn’t show, and I couldn’t make the cops understand Carey didn’t do things like that. If she couldn’t make something, she’d call you. She’s that kind of courteous. Then her phone started going straight to voice mail. It’s Tuesday now, and I know something has happened, and something worse could happen if she isn’t found soon!”
Hayden was passionate.
“Do you know who she was meeting? Or taking on her adventure?” Hunter asked.
Hayden shook her head. “She wouldn’t tell me because she didn’t want to jinx it.”
“Is anyone else from your office missing?” Amy asked.
Hayden frowned. “Um, I don’t think so. But that’s hard to say because our account execs have to travel out of town to see their clients, so... I don’t think so. But I don’t know who is supposed to be here now and who isn’t. Of course, I can do a roundup of our secretaries and get some schedules, if you think that will help.” She frowned. “What makes you think the man she’s interested in works at the agency, too?”
“We meet people at work,” Andy said, glancing dryly at Amy and Hunter. “Sometimes, especially at the executive level, we spend all our time at work and, well, there you go.”
Hayden nodded. “I will find out. But time is—”
“Where do you think she went?” Amy asked. “And we will start looking while you start trying to get us more information.”
“You got a map?” Hayden asked.
“We all have phones with great GPS,” Amy assured her.
“Of course.” She looked at Amy skeptically for a minute. “Special Agent Mason said you were in from Florida.”
“That’s right. I’m the one from Florida, though,” Amy said. “Hunter has worked all over,” she added, hoping to assure the woman.
“And I’m here,” Andy said. “Colorado born and bred.”
“Of course. Okay, here,” Hayden said. “This area has the most gorgeous caves and waterfalls, not far from the Arkansas River. Worst comes to worst, you’ll see some spectacular scenery. But the area can be dangerous, too. There are areas people see with a guide from one of the companies, and areas the ranger service controls. But Carey has done just about every hike and walk—and swim—possible in the state. And if she were going to impress someone, I think she mentioned this little bit of land right here. The rangers’ office police part of it, and part of it is policed by the county.”
“We’ll get hiking,” Amy said, rising.
“You’ll have a couple of hours of daylight left at best!” Hayden whined.
“We’ll use those hours,” Hunter said. “Andy, can you get us a ranger?”
“Of course,” Andy said. He looked as if he were about to grin at Amy and realized Hayden Harper was far too anxious for any kind of levity. “This isn’t flat land, you know. You up to it okay, Amy?”
“I think I’ll be okay,” she told him. “Thankfully, our things are still in the trunk.”
