“It’s nearly a mile from here to her mother’s house. No safety concerns about her walking by herself?”
“Typically,” said Le Gallee, “residents who do want to leave are accompanied in the beginning and once they can clearly demonstrate they’re okay, they go it alone. Honestly, it doesn’t happen often, for the most part residents don’t want to leave.”
“Lynne was the exception.”
“I believe Lynne and one other person have taken outings. Neither of them are severely disabled. She can read a few words, do simple addition, is okay with personal grooming.”
“She was described as having a stiff walk.”
“Well, that’s true. She’s knock-kneed and has developed arthritis.”
“Pam described her as a neat-freak,” said Milo.
“Oh, definitely,” said David Le Gallee. “I was in the air force for thirteen years, servicing fighter jets. I like neat.”
I said, “Pam also said she’s a collector.”
“Not in the sense of constantly acquiring. Whatever she has was assembled well before I got here.”
Milo said, “She holds on to the same stuff.”
“Exactly. Like a little museum. She plays with her things. Setting them up, arranging them. Taking care of them. She has a little whisk broom, you’d be challenged to find a speck of dust on her treasures.”
“Meticulous.”
“Oh yes.”
“Did she do any crafts?”
“No, she was happy to be with her treasures. Lynne was—is ahappy woman, in general. A lot more content than some so-called normals I’ve known. I tell my own kids that—I’ve got two. Appreciate what you’ve got and make the most of it. Speaking of which, I need to pick my kids up from their mother’s in a few. Anything else?”
Milo said, “Nothing right now, thanks for your time.”
Le Gallee’s face tightened. “This is a terrible situation. We’re not naïve, we know what it means when someone vanishes and time goes on. It’s an overall safe neighborhood. But things happen.”
I said, “Did she ever walk at night?”
“No, never. Of course not.”
Meaning the dog had been alerted to someone else.
Milo said, “Thanks, sir. Anything else?”
“I hope to God I’m wrong but I’m not feeling great about this.” He threw up his hands, said, “Good luck,” and walked to a lime-green Prius.
As he pulled away, Milo copied down the tag.
I said, “He twangs your antennae?”
“Everyone who’s too nice does.”
—
We sat in the car while he did a first-line check.
In the eyes of the criminal justice system, David Le Gallee didn’t exist.
Milo said, “First Winchell, now him. Too damn many solid citizens.” He hooked a thumb at Safe Place. “What do you think? Bizarre, no?”
