Chapter Three
When Devon, John, andChloe returned to what they referred to as the base of operations, they found Lydia handing out sandwiches to the volunteers. Immediately, Devon walked over to her and wrapped her in a hug.
“Where’s Dad?”
She patted him on the back before pulling away to answer him, gesturing vaguely toward the trees. “He’s out there. So are Caleb and Vince. I heard the officers on the radio; they’ll come back soon.”
“Okay.” Devon nodded, not sure what else to do. It was late in the afternoon, and everyone had been on their feet for somewhere around nine hours.
“Mr. McMillan.”
Devon turned to see John standing there. Next to him was Hailey’s teacher. “Oh, hey, Miss Alicia.”
“It’s actually Mrs. Hurley. You’ve been out there with my husband all day.”
Devon frowned at her warm smile. He felt like he should have put that together sooner. “Oh. Sorry, my brain is . . . I guess I’m exhausted and not thinking clearly.”
Alicia touched his arm. “That’s understandable. I’m sorry they weren’t able to find her yet. I didn't know what to tell her classmates today, so the other teachers and I agreed to say she’s out sick. I hope that’s all right with you.”
He didn't have it in him to worry about what the other students at the elementary school thought. “Whatever you think is best.”
John spoke up. “There’s another team working an area further out until sundown. They can only go so far as the border of the mill.”
Devon’s head swam. “Why is that?”
“We don’t have the right to trample on private property without a warrant. Rebecca has been in contact with the owner’s son, and from my understanding, they’re attempting to get in contact with him for permission to search. He’s currently out of town on a deep-sea fishing expedition.”
“Who is Rebecca?”
“Chief Hemsworth,” John clarified.
“Okay. It’s just so much to take in. I’m overwhelmed,” Devon admitted.
“I know. Just realize no one is giving up, yeah?”
Devon nodded again and turned back to his mother. She’d continued to hand out sandwiches while Devon had been speaking to John and Alicia.
