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Esther
The doors opened, and three teams flooded in. Most of the people went straight to the doughnuts. A few went to report in at the map table. Esther drifted that way to hear the news.
There wasn’t any. Everyone was soaked, it was dark, and they hadn’t seen anything. They readily took the next map, though, and after refilling coffee cups and using the bathrooms, back outside they went.
One of the police-led teams came in and followed a similar routine. They were on their way out the door when Carl Pettiford came in with his team. He spent a long time looking at the map. “We’re actually making progress,” he said, and Esther wasn’t sure who he was talking to. Maybe himself. “That’s if people aren’t missing clues. And that’s if he’s holding still.” He looked up and rubbed the back of his neck. “I hope people aren’t damaging evidence.”
Evidence that no one ever would have found, Esther thought but didn’t vocalize.
“It’s rained pretty hard since Friday,” Carl said, still mostly to himself. “These people probably won’t damage anything that the rain wouldn’t have washed away anyway.”
Adam, wisely, Esther thought, made no attempt to participate in this one-sided conversation. He stood there quietly.
“All right.” Carl held his hand out. “Give me the next map.”
Adam handed him one.
“What about that area?” Carl pointed at the map, at a shoreline area surrounded by pencil shadings. Everything nearby had already been searched.
“I’ve been informed that this area is mostly rocks and cliffs. I didn’t think we should be out there in the dark.”
Carl put his new map down. “Give me that one. I can do it.” He nodded eagerly. “I’ll keep my team safe. And then we’ll have that entire section searched. We’ll know he’s not on that side of the peninsula.”
Adam looked hesitant, but he traded the maps out. “Okay. Godspeed.”
Something like amusement flickered across Carl’s face, but then he hollered to his team and headed for the door.
Esther looked at Adam. “Do you need anything?”
He said no, but he looked tired.
“All right. I’m heading back to the prayer circle. But you holler if you need me.” She turned and walked toward the corner of the sanctuary.
Nora fell into step beside her. “Can I join you?” She clutched the big study Bible tightly to her chest.
“Of course.”
They slipped into two folding metal chairs. Vera looked up at them and gave Esther a small smile. Esther didn’t think Vera had moved from her chair since they’d formed the circle. Esther scanned the circle. Come to think of it, she didn’t think Vicky or Rachel had moved either. Wow, they must be exhausted. Esther bowed her head to join them.
Only minutes later, Esther heard the commotion of other teams spilling into the sanctuary. She resisted the urge to go see what they were reporting. If they’d found anything, she would hear about it. For now, she was right where she needed to be.
There was a lull in the praying, and Esther took a deep breath. “Father in heaven, we thank you for the many blessings you’ve given in the last few hours. Thank you for the Mattawooptock folks. Thank you for the local volunteers. Thank you for sending the police officers. And thank you for a mother’s love. Thank you for Nora’s heart. Thank you for what you’ve given her through your word to sustain her in these difficult minutes. Thank you for her faith, for her love, for her perseverance. Please give her a peace that passes understanding as she waits to hold her son in her arms. In Jesus’ precious name we pray.”
Nora slid her hand into Esther’s and squeezed.
Esther squeezed back.
