The Lost Boys

by Faye Kellerman

  “If Bertram was abducted and the parents don’t want the police involved, I don’t want to mess anything up.”

  “Isn’t it always better to involve the police in something like this?”

  Decker nibbled on his toast and thought for a moment. “If it was my kid and the kidnappers said no police, I might try to handle it myself.”

  “But you are the police.”

  “You know what I’m saying.”

  “I do.”

  “I feel like I’m missing something. I want to go back to Loving Care and reinterview people. Yesterday, I didn’t have time to do everything I wanted, including a visit to Elsie Schulung’s house. We’re just in the dark with this case.”

  “What about CCTV from the diner and on the main road? Did that turn up anything?”

  “Most of the cameras were broken. That’s not unusual. Stores put them in and forget about it. Butterfield did get a few tapes from the highway, but if someone took the back roads, we’re sunk.”

  “The diner doesn’t have CCTV?”

  “Just one at the front entrance. The quality is poor. And the place was overcrowded with all the residents. Kevin and McAdams will go through what we do have. Maybe we’ll get lucky.”

  “What about the nurse’s car? Has anyone spotted it?”

  “I don’t think anyone has put out a BOLO because she isn’t a suspect. For all we know, it still could be in the garage. The police haven’t done a welfare check.”

  “Why not?”

  “No evidence. Just some mail piling up.”

  “How much?”

  “Nothing alarming. She’s a grown woman. She could have gone anywhere.” Decker shrugged. “The thought of an abduction is so depressing. I’m really worried about Bertram. I’m hoping to find out more about him. Yesterday, we just scratched the surface.”

  Rina looked at the kitchen clock. It wasn’t even seven. “It’s super early and traffic is light. If you leave now, you’ll make good time.”

  Decker took a big swig of coffee. “Do you mind?”

  “Do I mind? Why would I mind?”

  “Cutting our breakfast short?”

  “Oh please. I’m used to you leaving on a moment’s notice. But it’s nice of you to ask.”

  Decker got up and opened the refrigerator. He took out a plastic container: lasagna from a week ago. He sniffed it. “This looks pretty good.”

  Rina snatched it from his hand. “I meant to throw that out. I’ll get you something fresh.” She opened the freezer. “I’ve got individual containers of meat loaf. It’s frozen but it should thaw out by lunch. How does that sound?”

  “Great.”

  “Go get yourself ready, and I’ll put together a care package.”

  Decker said, “Want to go out tonight? Veggie Thai. Seven o’clock?”

  “That sounds fine. If you show up in time.”

  “I promise I’ll make it.”

  “Don’t make promises you can’t keep.”

  “I do it because I choose to give you hope.”

  “Ah, hope: it inevitably disappoints.” Rina laughed. “Pandora really shouldn’t have messed with that box.”

  “I DON’T KNOW what more I could possibly say to help you.” Lionel Lewis unlocked the door to his office and swung it open. He motioned for Decker to step inside, pointed to a chair, and sat down behind his desk. The administrator was dressed in a tan jacket over a green plaid shirt and a solid red tie. Jeans and slip-on shoes with no socks rounded out the attire. “You’re the one in charge of finding him.”

  Decker sat. “It’s harder than it looks on TV.”

  Lewis was quiet. He folded his hands. “I’m sorry if I appear rude. I’m dealing with everyone here, trying to calm down frightened people. We’re all upset. I just don’t understand why you can’t find him.”

  “We’ve scoured those hills,” Decker said. “I’m beginning to wonder if he’s out there. We’ve searched a huge perimeter. So thoroughly that we found another set of remains.”

  “Remains?”

  “We think the bones might be from a ten-year-old case.”

  “And you’re positive they’re not Bertram’s?”

  “They are not Bertram’s bones,” Decker said. “By mentioning that, all I’m saying is we went over the area inch by inch.”

  “Obviously better than you did ten years ago.”

  “I’ll ignore that.”

  “Maybe whoever did that to your remains, did …” Lewis didn’t finish his sentence. “You know—the proverbial bogeyman in the hills.”

  “I haven’t discounted that idea that Bertram may have encountered someone harmful. But first I’d like to rule out planned abduction.”

  “Abduction?” Lewis shook his head. “Why would you say that?”

  “His parents have money. Why wouldn’t I say that?” Decker paused. “When you talked to them last night, how did they sound?”

  Lewis looked upward. “I didn’t talk to them. They were out of town, and their private secretary—the one I spoke to—said they’d be hard to reach.”

  It took several moments for Decker to integrate the words. “Their son is missing. If that doesn’t constitute an emergency, what does?”

  “He said he’d pass along the message once they were in reach of communications.”

  “‘Reach of communications’?” Decker made a face. “Are they at an ashram in the Himalayas? I betcha even ashrams have cell phones.”

  “I don’t know, Detective. I’m just as confused as you are. But I can’t make him tell me where they are.” Lewis bit his thumbnail. “It’s anxiety provoking. I have to have this conversation sooner rather than later. Anyone would assume that the parents would want to know.” A pause. “I’ve seen this before. Issues come up and the parents just don’t want to deal with them.”

  “This is more than an issue. Did you deal with the parents when planning Bertram’s living arrangements?”

  “No, just a series of secretaries and caregivers,” Lewis said. “We hadn’t been informed of any problems from Bertram’s prior facility, so we took him in.”

  “He was in love with another woman there. A woman named Kathrine? Did you know that?”

  “Yes, I did know. How did you find out?”

  “Some of the people I interviewed yesterday told Detective McAdams and me all about her. Could he have run away with her?”

  “Not without someone else’s help.”

  “How about Elsie Schulung? She’s not home and there’s mail in her box.” When Lewis didn’t answer, Decker said, “Can I have the name of Bertram’s previous residential facility?”

  “Why?” Lewis asked. “Ah, you want to find out if Kathrine’s still there.”

  “Exactly. Because if Kathrine isn’t there, that gives me an avenue of inquiry. Maybe they ran away together. Can I have the number of the facility?”

  “I have to get the number. And I’ll make the phone call.” Lewis buzzed his secretary, asked her for what he needed, then hung up the phone. “Say you call Bertram’s old facility and Kathrine is there. Then what?”

  “I have to consider abduction.” Decker leaned forward. “Do you think it’s possible that the parents have received a ransom note and don’t want the police involved?”

  “Being as I haven’t had any communication with them, how would I know?”

  “Can I have your contact number for them?”

  “You cannot. It’s private information.” Again, his thumbnail went to his mouth. “And why would you get any more details from the secretary than I did?”

  “Sometimes police involvement makes it more official.”

  “Let me think about it.”

  “Do that,” Decker said. “In the meantime, I’d like to talk to your staff. I didn’t have a chance to interview them yesterday. Maybe they know something. I’ll keep it short.”

  A frustrated exhale. “Who do you want to talk to?”

  “Anyone who dealt with Bertram on a regular basis.
Just a few questions.”

  “It’s clear you’re not going to leave me alone unless I do what you ask.”

  “Mea culpa,” Decker said. “I care.”

  “I’ll see what I can set up.” Lewis stood. “I don’t know what’s taking Linda so long to get a phone number.”

  “And I’d really like the name of the previous residential care house. I really need to find out about Kathrine.”

  “Let me call first, and if something is a problem, I’ll tell you. Fair?”

  Decker didn’t answer. Then he said, “I’d like to look at any files you might have on Bertram. I know he’s a legal adult, but he has been missing for almost two days.”

  “The files would be in another room. I’ll see what I can do.” Lewis stood up. “Just wait here. And no snooping.”

  Decker gave him a Stan Laurel smile. “God forbid.”

  “Leave the door open.”

  “Of course.” As soon as Lewis left, Decker quietly got to his feet and started rummaging through Lewis’s desk drawers. He pushed a few items around but didn’t find anything that looked consequential: no stacks of cash, no hidden valuables, no weapons, and no practice ransom notes. There were patient files, but nothing with a heading of Bertram Lanz. He thought about doing some electronic rifling, but Lewis would surely catch on to his spying. A computer search dumped evidence that was hardware retrievable. What Decker did was copy down the names of many of his computer files even if he didn’t open them up. To a cop, an order of “no snooping” was a direct invitation to do the opposite. If Lewis didn’t realize that, the man, despite his degrees, knew nothing about human behavior.

  WHILE LINDA WAS photocopying Bertram’s file and while Lewis was making phone calls, Decker was given a list of staff members who routinely dealt with Lanz. The first one was a physical therapist named Gray Mathers. He appeared to be in his late twenties, with sharp features, a big chin, and strong arms. He wore a gray tee and gray sweats and was working with a client when Decker walked into the gym, a roomy space aired out by open windows. It was equipped not only with standard exercise machines but with specialized devices. Mathers was finishing up a session with a woman who was walking on a treadmill, holding on to the rails. She had short brown hair and wore glasses. The machine slowed and stopped. The woman waited while Mathers helped her off. He handed her a cane and a towel. Mathers said, “Good job, Anna. See you tomorrow.”

  Anna wiped her face, handed him the towel, and balanced on her cane. “See you tomorrow.”

  “Do you need help?”

  “No, no.” Slowly, Anna headed for the door. “Thanks.”

  “Thank you.” Mathers waited until she was out the door. “Marvelous progress. When she came here three years ago, she was in a wheelchair. Then a walker. Now a cane.” He faced Decker. “One of my success stories.”

  “Must be rewarding,” Decker said.

  “It is. You’re the detective?”

  “I am. Peter Decker.”

  “Gray Mathers. How can I help?”

  “I understand you worked with Bertram Lanz regularly?”

  “Twice a week we’d do some weight lifting.” Mathers sat down on a bench and looked up at Decker as he talked, a towel draped around his neck. “Bertram had some noticeable physical impairments. We were working on some balancing exercises because his right side is more affected than his left. He had a broad chest, so there was something to work with. For his size and his condition, he’s strong. His gross motor coordination is decent to good.”

  “Interesting. Mind if I sit?”

  “Not at all.” Mathers moved over on the bench and looked him up and down. “Football, right?”

  “Yes, but it was more perfunctory than anything else. I was never deep into sports. My height was wasted on me.” Mathers smiled and Decker said, “Tell me about Bertram’s progress. What did you do with him besides balancing exercises?”

  “Strength training, isometrics, and aerobics. I dealt with the gross physical impairments, but he had an occupational therapist for fine motor. Bertram functioned pretty well. And he was more than capable of carrying on a good conversation.”

  “Is it fair to say that you and Bertram talked a lot?”

  “Not a lot but enough to get to know him a little. I talk to all my clients.”

  “Anything personal?”

  “Nothing too deep. I’m really upset about this. Why can’t you guys find him?”

  Again, with the accusations. Decker tried not to act defensive. “We’re all wondering the same thing. I’m also wondering if he doesn’t want to be found. Was he close to any staff member here?”

  “Elsie Schulung took him under her wing. When she left a couple of weeks ago, it was hard for Bertram. He didn’t complain, but he became more withdrawn. Not that he was that social to begin with. He liked doing solitary things. Like you heard yesterday, lots of residents enjoy video games. They measure their success against themselves and not the outside world.”

  “Probably why games are popular in general,” Decker said. “Anyone else besides Elsie Schulung?”

  Mathers gave it some thought. “Not really.” A pause. “You think he ran away with her?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “What other possibilities are you considering if he isn’t lost?”

  “The usual. He could have run away with someone else. He could have been taken. Then there’s the obvious. Most people are good. But a few are very bad.”

  Mathers was quiet. “The thing is that Bertram could bench-press about 150. He could dead-lift even more than that. It’s not weight lifter territory, but even for the average Joe, that’s strong. I think he could fight off an attacker.”

  “Unless he knew who kidnapped him and went into the car voluntarily.”

  “Sure, that could have happened.”

  “Did Bertram ever talk to you about his former girlfriend?”

  “Kathrine? Yes. In his mind she was his active girlfriend.”

  “Could they have run away together?”

  “It’s possible. It might be hard for them to do that without help.”

  Decker said, “Did he tell you anything specific about her?”

  “Just that he missed her. And she’d be proud to see how strong he was.” A brief smile. “The lifting was good for his mental state. Exercise usually is.” Mathers looked at Decker. “We talked, but not most of the time, Detective. The steps I put them through demand concentration.”

  “And yet he told you about Kathrine.”

  “I think he told anyone with ears about her. She was important to him.” Gray shrugged. “Why don’t you call up Elsie Schulung? I think she still lives in the area.”

  “She’s away at the moment.”

  “Ah, too bad.”

  “Do you know why she left?”

  “She was very caring to the residents but she wasn’t one for rules. I think it finally caught up with her.”

  “Was she angry when she left?”

  “I don’t really know. I didn’t hear of any drama. It was probably a mutual decision between her and the administration.”

  “What rules in particular didn’t she like?”

  “Her most egregious errors were her house calls. Or room calls. Protocol says the residents come to her office. Not the other way around.”

  “That doesn’t seem so terrible unless she was doing more than checkups.”

  “I really don’t know what she did. Take it up with Dr. Lewis.” Mathers stood up. “My next appointment is here.”

  April Kelly had walked into the gym. She was wearing yellow yoga pants and a floral sleeveless workout top. “Hi, Detective. Any news?”

  “Sorry, April. Not yet.”

  “Dang!” Her eyes watered.

  Decker patted her shoulder. “Don’t give up, April. We haven’t.”

  She wiped her eyes on the hem of her shirt.

  Mathers said, “Ready to sweat?”

  The woman nodded and muttered something
while she clasped her hands together, brought them to her chest, and bowed her head.

  “She’s praying for him,” Mathers whispered. “We’re all praying for Bertram. It’s not much, but right now it’s the only weapon we have in our meager arsenal.”

  CHAPTER 8

  THE OFFICE WAS adorned with diplomas and professional certificates. Bertram Lanz’s therapist, Belinda Adreas, had a PhD in clinical psychology with a specialty in adults with intellectual disabilities. She was in her early forties with a square build. Her face was round as were her blue eyes. Blond hair was pulled back into a ponytail. A badge was pinned over the pocket of her bright pink doctor’s coat. Decker thanked her for taking the time to see him.

  She said, “You haven’t found Bertram?”

  “No, we haven’t.”

  A glum smile. “I keep thinking, did I miss something? He was a bit unhappy when he first came here, but he seemed to be adjusting well.”

  “That seems to be the consensus, although I’ve also heard from others that he wasn’t very social.”

  “He has a few friends—the ones you talked to yesterday. Did they elucidate anything for you?”

  “Just that he played video games.”

  “A lot of the residents here play video games. It’s encouraged as therapy. Mastery and fine motor coordination.”

  Decker nodded. “Some people mentioned that Bertram talked a lot about his girlfriend, Kathrine. Did he mention her to you as well?”

  “He’s not dead, so he still has confidentiality,” Belinda said. “If he talked to other people about it, you can extrapolate.”

  “Can you give me an idea of what you two spoke about?”

  “Sorry, no.”

  “Could you at least tell me if he ever spoke about running away?”

  “He never spoke to me about running away. If we didn’t talk about it, I’m not breaking confidentiality. If he decided to leave, it was something impulsive.”

  “Okay. That helps,” Decker said. “Any idea where he’d go if he ran away?”

  “Probably back to his old facility, if I had to guess. As you can tell by your conversations with others, he probably missed Kathrine and his old friends. It doesn’t take deep psychological insight to figure that one out.”