And Then She Was Gone(16)
“Dad, I’m not going to—”
“Let’s just say. You have one drink and you get pulled over by the police. You’re underage. There goes the Army. That’s one domino. Without the Army, how are you going to afford college? That’s another domino. Now how are you going to get on the police force with no Army, no college, and a DUI on your record? See? One bad decision can bring the whole thing down.”
Jack nodded.
His father put a hand on Jack’s shoulder. “Hey, why am I saying anything? You know all this. I’m sure you’ll be on your best behavior.”
“Okay.” His mother rushed back into the room. “Stand together.”
Jack stood with his father for one picture. Then his dad took the camera and his mom moved next to Jack. The camera flashed a few more times.
“Now that your mother’s made sure a record has been preserved for posterity,” Jack’s dad said, “you’re free to go.”
“Thanks.” Jack grabbed his keys. But as he headed for the door, Detective Clark’s face on the TV caught his attention. Jack’s dad liked to keep the TV on with the sound off. Jack quickly grabbed the remote off the couch and unmuted it.
“Is that Detective Clark?” his dad asked.
“Yeah. I saw him at the park this afternoon. He said to say hi.” Jack turned up the volume.
On the television, a young female reporter sat at the news desk. On a graphic beside her was a photo of a smiling Stacy Shaw. “Fairfield Police are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing woman thought to be in danger. Her name is Stacy Shaw. We join Channel 5’s Paula Thompson reporting live from police headquarters.”
The camera cut to a young brunette reporter holding a microphone. “Thank you, Anne. I’m told that there will be an announcement momentarily.”
The shot switched back to the news desk. “Paula, given the amount of police involvement, do they suspect foul play?”
“Well, if they do, they’re not saying. All they will say is that Mrs. Shaw has a medical condition and that it’s imperative she be located as soon as possible.” She glanced behind her. “Hold on, I think they’re entering now.”
The camera panned to a doorway in the back of the room, from which a man in a gray suit emerged. He was short and barrel-chested and looked like a drill instructor who’d become a civilian: buzz cut, neatly pressed suit, tan skin, dark brown eyes.
“That’s the new detective, Lyle Vargas,” Jack’s dad said. “You’d like him, Jack. He’s ex-Army.”
Detective Vargas was followed by a man and a woman, both of whom were visibly distraught. The man’s sandy-colored hair was mussed and his face was contorted in anguish. The woman next to him looked like a younger, female version of him—perhaps a sister.
Detective Vargas strode up to a podium and immediately began speaking. “I’m Detective Vargas of the Fairfield Police.” He nodded to the gathered reporters. “Thank you for assembling on such short notice. I appreciate your help in getting the word out to our communities.” He cleared his throat. “By now you’ve all been informed of the disappearance of Stacy Shaw. Her abandoned car was found at Ford’s Crossing, where it went off the road and struck a tree. Stacy may be injured and disoriented and in need of medical assistance. Stacy is a diabetic and may have suffered an episode before the incident. Under these circumstances, it’s imperative that we locate Stacy as soon as possible. I’m here to ask for the public’s assistance. If you have any information about the whereabouts of Stacy, please contact the police immediately.”
“He really should refer to her as Mrs. Shaw,” Jack’s mom said.
“I read that they do that on purpose,” Jack said. “They use her first name, in case something else happened to her.”
“What do you mean?” His mother looked upset.
“In case she’s been kidnapped and her abductors are watching the press conference, they use the victim’s first name over and over to try to humanize her.”
Jack’s mom fiddled with her cross necklace.
“Detective Vargas.” A reporter stepped forward. “Given the rapid escalation of responders, do you suspect that there’s more to this than that she simply wandered off? Do you suspect foul play?”
“No,” said Vargas. “Right now this is strictly a missing person case.” He moved to the side and motioned the man forward. “Stacy’s husband, Michael Shaw, who has been cooperating in the search, would like to make a statement for the family.”