Ben paced as he repeated every detail from his brief conversation with Amy. His chest grew tighter with each step.
“Rudy, search for a Deer Creek. Let’s see if we can get an idea of where she might be,” Robert said, pinching his bottom lip. He joined Ben in his pacing. “What does Lance and his drummer have to do with anything?”
Janice stood and stepped back to let Rudy have access to her computer.
Ben stepped in front of Robert, nearly colliding with him. “Did you ask her to investigate Melanie’s death and Cassey’s kidnapping?”
“No,” Robert said. “She asked about Melanie’s accident once, shortly after she first came to Providence, but that was it.”
“Um... I may know something about that.” Rudy tugged at his collar. “She asked a lot of questions about... the accident, when she first started working here, so I got the file out and showed her the evidence we gathered and explained the findings from the State Crime Lab.” Robert glared at him as he continued. “I put the file back, myself, that same day, but I found it in her drawer earlier this week when I was searching for some paper clips.” He pulled open a drawer and rifled around. “It’s gone now.”
“I’ll go check the records room,” Janice said.
Robert and Ben paced the small reception area again, waiting for Janice to return.
“Here it is.”
Robert took the file and flipped through its many pages while Rudy focused on the computer. He closed the file and slapped it down on the desk. “Nothing’s missing.”
Ben was torn between wanting to see the file and knowing he couldn’t handle the pictures he’d find in there.
“The nearest Deer Creek I can find is in Klickitat County. Deer Creek Road is on the outskirts of Glenwood. It looks pretty remote.”
Ben glanced at Robert. “Didn’t Lance and Amy discuss something about Glenwood last Saturday?”
“That’s about two hours away. What time did Amy leave?”
Rudy checked the clock. “About two and a half hours ago.”
Robert pointed at Rudy as he backed toward the door. “Send me a link with that map and the number for the Klickitat County Sheriff. We’ll see if they can track Amy’s cell phone and find out exactly where she is. And get a hold of Lance Hayes. Find out any information you can about his drummer, let’s find out what he’s got to do with this.”
Ben followed Robert out the door.
Robert paused when they reached his Tahoe. “Are you sure you want to come? I have no idea what we may find. I don’t want you to get your hopes up. Nor do I want to cause you any more pain.”
“I’m coming,” Ben said, without hesitation. He climbed in and slammed the door.
