“Nothing. Like we keep telling you, that girl probably just ran off with a boy,” the officer said. “We see it all the time.”
“Why would you think that? She had a well-paying job, and her parents live here. They don’t believe that’s what happened to her,” Grimm said.
“Parents don’t know everything about their grown children. We have an eyewitness who saw her get into a car headed out of town, but that isn’t for public knowledge mind you,” the officer said.
“Why is this the first I’m hearing of it?” Burrows said.
“Because the eyewitness just came forward today,” the officer who had been standing there silent all of this time said.
“Well, that could change things for sure,” Burrows said.
Grimm had a hard time believing this eyewitness. “Did you get a description of the car or of the driver from this witness?”
“As a matter of fact, we did,” the first officer said.
Grimm flipped through the photos on his phone, pulling up an image and flashed it at them. “It wouldn’t match him would it?”
Both officers took a look and then looked at one another.
“W-we aren’t at liberty to say,” they said in unison.
Burrows laughed.
“I think you just did,” Grimm proclaimed. “And I know Heather didn’t leave town with him. So, whoever your eyewitness is, they lied.”
“How do you know him?” the officer asked.
“He’s the assistant district attorney’s son, and he lives in Altoona, that’s how I know him,” Grimm said.
“It’s true, fellas. Someone is either sending you on a wild goose chase or trying to point a finger at him.” Burrows crossed his arms over his chest. “How trustworthy did you feel this eyewitness was that came forward?”
“There didn’t seem to be a reason for her to lie. She’s well respected in her community,” the officer said.
“Okay. I get that you won’t tell us who she is,” Burrows said. “That’s fine. And you feel she is a good witness, but we’re also telling you that Heather Randall did not show up in Altoona with the guy. That dog won’t hunt.”
“Seems we’re at an impasse,” the officer said, “and we’ll just have to leave it that way. Like I said, you call with an update on your friend tomorrow. We’re way past being off duty.”
“Small town,” Burrows said.
“How did you even know I was here?” Grimm asked, motioning for him to sit in one of the vacant chairs in the waiting area. Once Logan sat, he did as well. “I called Sheraton to get your number and before we hung up, those two arrived.”
“Sheraton called and I was following up on a lead not far away so I came over.”
“It must not have been far at all,” Grimm said. “We’re talking a matter of minutes from the time I got off the phone with Sheraton and you arriving.”
“Something like that,” Burrows said. “I hate this happened to Quinn. How long has she been in surgery?”
“Not sure. I was delegated out here as soon as we arrived and they discovered we were not married. But they told me once she is out of surgery and in a room, I would be allowed to see her regardless of the family rule since she doesn’t have any. I’m not even sure if hospitals still follow that ruling anymore.”
“Several do.”
Grimm shook his head. “I can’t get over this mysterious eyewitness who told the police that Heather got into a car with Cliff Beamer. I wonder if it’s true, and he took her out of Lewistown so she could catch a train or a plane to somewhere else? I know we both were adamant that the eyewitness lied, but what if we are wrong?”
Burrows shrugged. “I haven’t met the guy before, have you?”
“This morning briefly. I watched him have an exchange with Quinn. He’s a flirt. That’s where I got his photo.”
“I thought I recognized the diner in the background,” Burrows said.
