Susan feared the worst. Mark Pedersen’s voice was cool and direct, almost too by-the-book; she sensed an uneasiness in him that worried her. She was certain he wasn’t telling her everything.
“You’re sure she has no family?” Mark said. “A friend who might have picked her up?”
“I’ve never seen anyone visit. And I’ve never seen her walk anywhere.”
Mark stroked his chin, and Susan noticed his wedding ring for the first time. Of course, she thought. The good ones are always taken.
“Wherever she went,” she added, “I guess she could have forgotten to lock the door.”
Mark nodded.
“Do you think she’s okay?” Susan said.
“Most missing persons aren’t missing,” Mark said. “Kids take off. A drunk husband doesn’t come home. The person almost always shows up sooner or later.”
“But not always.”
“No.”
The officer looked up and down the street. “Have you seen anything out of the ordinary, Susan? Anything at all?”
“Nothing. Nothing I can think of. Do you think this is related? To those kids, I mean.”
“I wouldn’t think so. No. Hey—are you all right?”
Susan rubbed the gooseflesh from her arms. “All I’ve got are my beautiful boys. I’m more than a little scared.”
“You should be concerned. Everyone in town who’s got kids should be. Fact is, a lot of people don’t worry enough.”
“I probably shouldn’t ask this, but …”
“It’s okay.”
“… What do you think happened to them?”
“To be honest,” Mark said, “I can’t even imagine. It’s like they vanished without a trace.”
“How can that be?”
“I don’t know.” Mark paused, drawing another look down the solemn street. His eyes settled on the stoop of the Arbor home. “But that’s what scares me.”