Vanished(36)

“We’ve never arrested innocent people?” Ray asked.

“I haven’t. Not on purpose, anyway.”

Ray sighed. “I think you’re being completely naive about the situation. All I ask is that you look out for yourself, okay?”

“I always do. But frankly, right now, I’m more interested in finding Henley Fairbanks.”

“Everybody wants to find Henley. I’ve had three people ask me about the case during the game I’m watching right now. She’s turned into everyone’s child. Everybody gives a damn. This may be sad, but it seems to matter more because Christmas is this week.”

Mason had forgotten Christmas was in a few days. How could that happen when he’d walked by Robin’s tree each morning? Had his mind blanked it out? He looked at his neighbor’s home across the street. Lights, deer, and a sleigh. They always went all out with decor for the holidays. He hadn’t hung lights since Jake was tiny.

“I gotta get ready for the vigil tonight,” Mason said. “I’m going to say a few words for the family. You know, the ‘stay strong and please bring her back’ type of thing.”

“All I want for Christmas,” said Ray quietly.

“Yep. That’s all everyone wants this year.”





17

60 HOURS MISSING

Ava pulled her coat collar up over her nose and mouth to guard against the cold. Next to her, Jake did the same thing and seemed to shrink inside of his bulky coat. For the past thirty minutes, they’d watched the crowd grow in the green space at the riverfront, while organizers handed out candles with small plastic trays to catch the wax drips. Both she and Jake had taken a candle, but Mason had shaken his head. He seemed tense.

Why wouldn’t he be? He was about to speak to the press and had discovered a murder weapon had come from his garage. He’d held his cool as he’d told her and Wells the significance of the missing bat. He’d seen the bat at the crime scene but hadn’t thought much of it. Thousands of people owned the same type of bat.

“Detached” was a good way to describe him. At his home, he’d pulled out his cell and immediately informed the detective in charge. Listening, Ava had realized he could have been talking about any other case, he seemed so monotone. But this was his life, and he was being sucked deeper and deeper into the murdered prostitute’s case.

Ava knew how simple it was to place fingerprints. With the right sticky substance and a clear print to lift, they were easily transferable. And it appeared that someone had done it with Mason’s. She hoped the detectives would find something to pull Mason out from under the microscope. He didn’t deserve to be falsely accused in the woman’s death. Although no one had formally accused him yet. They’d placed him on administrative leave pending further investigation. It didn’t mean they thought he’d done it; they were simply following procedure.

Mason knew that and expected no less of his employer. That didn’t mean he had to enjoy the process.

ASAC Ben Duncan gestured for Mason to join him and three other agents closer to the platform, which held a single microphone on a stand for the press conference. Jake slapped his dad on his back, and Ava realized she’d never seen a physical sign of affection between them. Mason glanced back at his son and nodded, and Ava figured that the slap and nod had a deep meaning between the two of them. She gave Jake a smile and looked past him to Robin, Lucas, and Lilian. Lilian had brought a close girlfriend for support, and the two women stood with their arms linked, speaking in hushed voices.

The vigil organizers had put up a small table with coffee and a second table was draped with a huge banner. COME HOME, HENLEY, it read in large letters. Attendees took turns signing the banner with short messages of hope. Moms from Henley’s school hugged parents and other kids. Tears shone on most of the faces. A small stream of people stopped to talk to the three parents, and Ava and two other agents carefully watched the strangers. They’d given the three parents a hand signal to flash if they were approached by someone they didn’t recognize. So far, they’d known every adult who’d stopped by and wished for Henley’s safe return.

It was a tight community.

The contact with the public was good for Robin. Her chin was up, and she engaged each adult who stopped to speak to her or offer a hug. She seemed to absorb strength from the well-wishers. Lilian was the opposite. She shrunk back and relied on her friend to greet the attendees. She looked like she wanted to vanish. Ava noticed Lilian would shift her position to keep Lucas in her sight, and she frequently glanced his way. Ava’s suspicions about the woman’s feelings for her ex-husband grew stronger.

Don’t bother, Lilian. Anyone can see his commitment to Robin.

Maybe Lilian was simply missing what they’d once had. Robin and Lucas were lovely together. They frequently touched and exchanged glances. Ava would kill for a relationship like that.

ASAC Ben Duncan stepped up to the microphone. The platform stood across the grassy clearing from the banner and coffee. The local press had set up their cameras to get a good view of the platform and the crowd. CNN and Fox News had joined the local stations. Ava sighed at all the cameras, but any publicity about Henley could be helpful. It was national press that’d speedily spread the word when a sixteen-year-old was kidnapped in California, and it’d led to her being recognized in Idaho by strangers. The FBI’s hostage-rescue team had tracked down the kidnapper and rescued the girl.

Ava prayed for the same successful ending for Henley.

“Excuse me, folks,” came Duncan’s voice over the microphone. The crowd immediately quieted and turned his way, their candles glimmering in the dim light. “We’re going to take a few minutes to update you on Henley’s case. Then we’ll take a few questions.” He emphasized the word “few,” eyeballing the reporters. Duncan was a natural in front of the press. He commanded their respect, and they gave it to him.

“Last night we arrested someone unrelated to Henley’s disappearance. This person staged a fake ransom note for his own gains, and it took vital resources away from the search for Henley.” Duncan glared at the crowd. “Henley doesn’t have time for us to be distracted by fools. We want solid leads, not someone’s made-up story. We’ve regrouped and moved on, following up on every lead that’s come into our command center. I ask you to be vigilant and keep an eye out for this little girl. We just need the right tip from an alert member of the community to find her.

“This is Mason Callahan, the spokesman for the Fairbanks family.” Duncan stepped back and gestured Mason forward. Mason removed his hat and made eye contact with several people in the audience. Ava tensed, aching for him to do well for the family.

“I’m here because tragedy has struck some good people,” Mason began. His voice was clear and low, his folksy way of speaking instantly capturing the audience. “An evil has touched our community and ripped holes in the hearts of everyone here. Henley Fairbanks is everyone’s child. Your sons and daughters may be safe at your side, but until we bring Henley home, no one will be at peace. Her special light is missing.”

He paused and looked down at his boots. Ava heard sniffling around her and realized she also had tears. Mason looked up and met her gaze. His face blurred behind her tears.

“Lilian, Lucas, and Robin appreciate your presence and your prayers for their daughter’s safe return. No parent deserves to go through what they’ve experienced over the last few days. And no child should ever be yanked from the safety of their parents’ arms.” Anger infused his tone, and the crowd hung on every word.

He’s a natural.

“I’ll repeat what Ben Duncan said. Be vigilant. Study the faces of the children you come in contact with. Henley’s face should be burned in your memory. One of you will see something that will lead the authorities to her. And we can’t ask for a better force to be searching for Henley. The rapid response of the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, the City of Lake Oswego Police Department, and the FBI has been unparalleled. These heroes were on the scene immediately and have been working night and day to find Henley. When a cop hears a child is missing, it doesn’t matter who he works for—he responds with 110 percent. And that is what the Fairbanks family has experienced. We’ll be forever grateful.”

Mason took one last, sweeping look at the crowd and stepped back, putting his hat back on. Duncan gestured at Sanford, who stepped up to the microphone. Mason stepped off the platform and maneuvered his way through the crowd toward Ava and the family.

“I’m Special Agent Sanford with the FBI, and I’ll be answering a few questions,” Sanford stated in a clear voice. The emotional words were over, and Sanford changed the tone of the crowd back to the business at hand. Ava tuned him out as Mason approached.

He gave her a questioning look, and she nodded at him, barely able to form words. “You did good,” she whispered.

“Nice job, Dad,” said Jake. He gave his dad a long hug, and Ava’s eyes watered at the love on Mason’s face. He clung to his son. “You had the whole crowd in tears.”