by JM Addison
*
Dell was getting worried. He tried a couple of times to call Mara’s mother in Ashbury. Mara was probably fine, just went out with her mom or something. But the fact that he couldn’t reach her was worrisome just the same. He considered driving up to check things out, but the hour drive seemed like an unreasonable commitment to a problem that likely didn’t exist. If it were not an attractive young lady, would he have the same urge to check up on the situation? Probably not. She should have been there hours ago, so where was she? He even checked her home number in case she decided not to go to Ashbury after all, but only got her machine.
What the heck. Why not go for a drive? What else was he going to do tonight? He could work on the case, but he was given clear orders not to. He couldn’t understand this, but didn’t want to upset the chief since they were on pretty good terms with each other. As he considered this, his phone rang.
“Detective Taylor…”, he answered.
“Dell, it’s Steve Millhaus.” Steve was a longtime friend of Dell’s who was a Sargent in the Massachusetts State Police.
“Hey Steve! Thanks for calling me back.”
“I checked into that missing guy you asked about. The one from that company in Bedford, Viiradium, right?” Steve said.
“Yeah, what were you able to turn up? Was the case ever solved?”
“Well, it’s pretty funny. The case never really went anywhere. The investigation sort of ended and there really is no explanation as to what happened. Seems there was a lack of evidence and even a lack of interest. There was a relative that was really pushing for answers, but eventually, the case was simply filed as ‘unsolved’”.
“That’s pretty interesting Steve. Between you and me, something a little funny is going on. Another guy has simply disappeared from that place. He has a sister that also works there who came forward and filed a missing persons report. Then someone tried to abduct her as well. Seemed like a professional kidnapping but they botched it and she got away.
“Now I’m being told to ‘drop the case’ with excuses like, ‘this missing guy probably just skipped town on his own’. Sort of a ‘you know how young single people are…’ explanation”
“That is rather interesting” Steve said. “You looking to turn this over to us?”
“No, I just was suspicious and I made my inquiry to you before I was told to drop the case. So officially, no. I’m not turning anything over to you. But as a friend, the whole thing has a bad smell.”
“I can understand what you mean. If you need anything, feel free to give me a call.”
They exchanged good-byes and got off the phone. Now Dell was a little more worried. It was almost six and it had gotten dark. He decided to give the house in Ashbury one more call and if no one was there, drive up and check things out himself. He could just call the local sheriff in New Hampshire, but that would mean being involved in a case that he wasn’t supposed to be involved in.