of that, he had let Shermon walk away after only a few minutes. Frank had started the search for Al but now Frank had disappeared. No one Henry talked to seemed to know where Frank had gone.
Henry was about to add Frank to the search when Nancy radioed him from the station. She told him that Frank had just informed her that he had arranged to get five more BCA agents and a few state troopers on the case and that they would be able to join the search by morning.
The relief of finally finding out about Frank released a floodgate of questions and facts. Henry knew that something important was missing. Everything he'd learned tonight didn't add up. What was happening? He was sure he knew something. He felt a tugging at the back of his mind. Something small was trying to catch his attention...
Agent Vernon walked past the principal's office door. When he saw Henry sleeping with his head propped up on the desk, he quietly shut the door and turned back to the turmoil of the temporary command post they had set up in the outer office.
* * * *
James spent the night prowling the neighborhood around Lori's father's home. He was beginning to learn the area and the area learned him. The dogs had stopped barking every time they caught his scent on the breeze. A couple of animals even sought him out to be petted. After Lori left for school, James knocked on the neighborhood doors with her father. They explained that they were worried about Lori's safety after the recent events. They asked them to keep an eye out for anyone not normally in the neighborhood and explained that James would be checking on things through the night.
After they were done talking to the neighbors, they went inside to have some coffee. Curious on how easily Lori's father accepted the situation, Jim asked, 'Why do you accept what I told you? I show up on your doorstep with your daughter and tell you she's in danger. You don't know me. You must have heard the stories about what I've been accused of. I offer no proof that she's in danger. Yet, you've not questioned me. Why?'
'I know my daughter. You have to be someone special to her for her to bring you to my home. I trust her judgment.'
Lori's father's face got a lost look with a faint smile hinting at the corner of his mouth. 'Her mother was a very special person. Out of the blue, she would tell me to do something, not to take that road or to go and see a friend. Afterwards, I would hear that there had been an accident on that road or the friend had a death in the family. She never explained how she knew what had happened. Lori is a little like her. Maybe I've lived so long with her mother's premonitions ... I don't know, but when you said you were afraid for Lori, I knew you were right.'
The front door banged open. 'Dad? Jim?' When she saw them she continued, 'The school is closed. A cop disappeared last night at the school. They had dogs and search teams going through the school looking for him. When I got there this morning, they were questioning all the staff about last afternoon. It took a couple of hours before they were done questioning us.'
She turned and looked sternly at Jim. 'I found out what you did yesterday.'
Her father saw the small change come over her face. He knew it was pride he saw. Ever since she was in the second grade, she would try to hide her pride in an accomplishment by putting on a face of concern or indifference. The first time he noticed it was when she brought home her second report card of the year. She walked up to him with such a solemn face and handed over her report card. He knew something different was coming from the hesitation in her voice as she whispered, 'I'll try to do better next time.' There was only one S+ on the card. The rest of the grades were E's for excellent. When he looked up, her face burst into a smile and she dove into his lap.
He turned from her and looked at Jim. He lost track of the conversation as he concentrated on their faces. He saw it now with full clarity, what he had suspected earlier. Her pride in Jim was because she knew Jim belonged to her. Jim had to force himself to look away from her. When Jim did turn away, his movements became awkward and hesitant. A sad happiness washed over Lori's father. He had lost part of his daughter to this man. He wanted to be more upset but couldn't. She was happy!
He was still trying to sort out his feelings when there was a knock at the front door. He saw the sheriff's car in the driveway through the living room windows before he got to the front door.
'Hello. I'm Deputy Sheriff Hakanen. I'm looking for James Makinen. I wish to speak to him about an investigation.'
Something happened to Jeffrey Waithe. Something he never expected or would've believed if he had been told. Like all parents, he had protected his daughter Lori from danger, from any bad experience. He didn't quite understand how it happened as quickly as it did, but he now had to protect Jim. 'Do you have a card? If I see him, I will tell him you are wanting to speak to him.'
He started to close the door.
'It's all right, Mr. Waithe. What is it you want to talk to me about,
Henry?'
* * * *
Sandra couldn't believe what was happening. All the cases she had ever worked with had been straightforward and followed a predictable pattern. After all, she wasn't a criminal lawyer. The average corporate or civil case she handled was usually won by proving the fine print on a contract or waiver.
The first indication that something different was happening was the rabid TV reporter jumping her with a camera and microphone in the back parking lot of Bodonavich, Finch and Heiminen. At first, Sandra stood stunned by the sudden ambush. What finally broke her lethargy was when she realized that the reporter was using her non- answers as consent to her statements.
'So your client, James Makinen, has been questioned by the police about the recent murders.'
Afterwards, Sandra never understood how she had the presence of mind to stop the reporter. She knew she had lost the incentive with the woman. She had to gain it back or both she and her clients would look guilty. She knew that no matter what was said, most court cases were affected by the popular press. But she didn't understand reporters! How could she get control back? She understood lawyers, not the press...
She gazed directly at the reporter and calmly asked, 'I would like the name of your station's lawyer and his phone number, please?' She then retrieved her cell phone from her bag and waited for the number.
The reporter hesitated, 'I don't know the name.'
'Well, then give me your station manager's number and we'll go from
there.'
The reporter tried to leave at that point but Sandra followed her. As the reporter and cameraman retreated to their truck, Sandra finally got a number. She then stood in front of the vehicle so it couldn't leave the parking lot. Sandra watched the reporter's face blanch as she calmly dressed down the station manager and requested an immediate response from the station's lawyer.
After her conversation, she turned again to the reporter. 'Ms. Nord-Schuler ... Is that right?' Sandra waited for the affirmative reply. 'Mizzz Schuler. Never again come at me with a camera running. If you wish to talk to me, YOU will make an appointment. YOU will never again ask questions about any of my cases or clients without permission. If I find out that you contact any of my clients without first contacting my office or me, I will see that you will be sitting in court for the next six months. Do you understand, Mizzz Nord-Schuler? Good!'
Sandra then turned and left the stunned reporter. She knew in a way she was lucky this was a new reporter. If she had had more experience, she would never have been intimidated. But if she'd had more experience, the reporter would have been more circumspect in her initial questions.
That was just the start of the weirdness. This morning she heard the news of the deputy sheriff's disappearing and the closing of the school. The law firm was abuzz with rumors that people in the school were about to be arrested by the police. Jack Andrews, the school's lawyer, called at eight-thirty and requested a settlement meeting that morning. When she questioned him on who would be there, she was surprised that neither Shermon nor Kawalski would be. She put him off for a day.
She had to find out what was happening. She called the sheriff's department and asked for Hakanen, the deputy she had talked to earlier. She was told he was out on the search and couldn't be contacted. She than tried the county prosecutor's office but was again put off. She didn't know any other local people, so she called her office to see if they could get any information from the BCA state offices. She sat through the rest of the day, waiting for a return call and trying to discern what was happening.
* * * *
