The searchers were dividing up and moving to their positions when Caroline spotted Meg walking up the driveway.
“Dad told me about the search,” she said. “He just dropped me off as he left to drive to the airport.”
Good, thought Caroline. Nick had gone to see his daughter, just as she’d suggested.
“I’m proud of you, Meg, for getting up so early to join the search. The maps are on the table,” she said. “Go get one and grab a whistle.”
As Meg walked off, Caroline turned to Annabelle. “Let’s have Meg join our group, all right?”
“Fine with me,” said Annabelle. “But you know, I’ve been thinking that one of us should stay back here at the base in case one of the other groups finds anything. Why don’t I stay here with my camcorder, and you and Meg go with Lamar and Boomer?”
Caroline considered the suggestion. “Maybe it would be better if you went along with the search and I stayed behind, Annabelle. I have a feeling that there will be more action out there than here, and you’d be better at covering it.”
“All right, then,” said Annabelle as she handed the small video camera to Caroline. “Just in case, let me give you a quick lesson in how to use this. It’s really easy.”
The volunteers spread out across the edge of the property. Slowly, methodically, they walked the grounds, their eyes trained downward. When they got through the meadow, Caroline heard the whistles begin to sound as the search of the woods started.