The Hiding Place

story.”

“You didn’t answer my question,” Stynes said.

Ludwig offered a forced smile. “No, Detective, it’s not typical for the police to show up at my door. I was trying to be polite by so readily inviting you in. What do you want to know, Detective?” he asked, his voice and demeanor weary. “I’d offer you something, by the way, but the help is gone, and since my mother died only a year ago, I’m not used to playing host.”

“I’m fine. So you read the paper and you see that there’s been some renewed interest in the Manning case.”

“You know, Detective,” Ludwig said, shifting again. He closed his eyes with the pain he seemed to be feeling. “You may have noticed I’m not doing well. I’m in a lot of pain as the result of a recent illness. Maybe I could come to the station sometime when I’m feeling better, and we could have a nice long talk. I could bring my attorney with me.”

“You were at the park that day because you were conducting some sort of nature walk. Is that right?”

Ludwig sighed. “Yes. I’m sure you recall I taught biology at Dove Point High for thirty years. I used to keep myself busy in the summers by volunteering to lead nature walks in the park. You know, we’d walk around and I’d point out the plants and the trees and the butterflies. It was free, and it got the kids out of their parents’ hair for an hour or so. The kids loved it. We covered this all back then, you’ll recall.”

“And now refresh my memory-what did you see that day? The day Justin Manning disappeared.”

“Oh, my.” Ludwig sighed again. “You seem determined to ride this hobbyhorse one more time, don’t you? What happened to your partner? That unpleasant man?”

“He retired.”

“Hmm. Aren’t you getting close to that? You can’t be but a few years older than I am.”

“That day at the park. Did you see anything?”

“Do you promise to leave if I answer the question?”

“Maybe.”

“Then it’s worth a try. Like I told you then, I didn’t see anything. I was there getting ready for the walk. I always met the kids at that main picnic shelter. There were a lot of people in the park that day, both children and adults. As I recall, I was running a little late, so I was focused on my work. All of a sudden, a flurry of activity broke out. A large group formed in the center of the park near the swing sets. Panic seemed to be spreading. I thought someone had fallen and injured themselves. Then the police came.”

“And where were you when the police came?”

“You know this, Detective.”

“Humor me. I’m getting old, and I forget sometimes.”

“I wasn’t there when the police arrived,” Ludwig said.

“You weren’t there.”

“I went home. When I saw the commotion and knew something bad had happened, I went home. I could tell the nature walk was going to be canceled, so they didn’t need me.”

“Some kids were left waiting at the shelter. You didn’t even bother to see that they had rides or anything.”

“The park was full of police officers. I figured the kids would be safe.”

“I don’t think the parents agreed with you. Did they?”

“Parents can be so overprotective sometimes.”

“So they did mind?” Stynes asked.

Ludwig sighed. “Well, the park service didn’t let me do any more nature walks that summer, if that’s what you mean.”

“You know what’s weird?” Stynes said. “And I really did forget this detail after all these years, but when I looked at my notes it came back to me. You left your car at the park. You were in such a hurry to get out of there, you walked off and left your car just sitting there. Why did you do that?”

“I said I-”

“And when we tried to come here and talk to you, you weren’t home. It took four hours before we got ahold of you here. And no one knew where you were or what you were doing during that time.”

Ludwig didn’t say anything. He opened his mouth a little and looked at Stynes expectantly. Finally, he said, “Do you want me to answer these questions? Or are they accusations?”

“Where were you?”

“I was just walking.”

“Just walking?”

“Just walking.”

“And I guess you were alone?”

“Did I mention, Detective, that I’m recovering from surgery? Prostate cancer. I get tired easily, so I’m probably going to have to ask you to leave.”

“That’s fine.” Stynes thought the man’s face looked even paler than when he’d first entered. And the conversation didn’t appear to be leading anyplace productive. “Were you alone?”

“I was. When I came home after my walk, my mother told me you’d been here. And I contacted you right away and answered all of your questions.”

“Fair enough.” Stynes stood up. When Ludwig started to reach for his cane, Stynes waved him off. “I can show myself out. Thanks.”

“As you wish,” Ludwig said, although he looked relieved. “How is this Manning family holding up, Detective? I read about them this morning.”

“The years have made them pretty strong.”

“Give them my best, if you don’t mind,” Ludwig said.

But before Stynes left the room, he asked Ludwig one more thing. “You’ve never been married, have you, Mr. Ludwig?”

“Is that a crime?” Ludwig asked. “I know how my life must look to someone outside of it. Unmarried old bachelor who lived with his mother all those years. Took kids on nature walks at the park. But don’t forget, I taught in the schools here for thirty years. My record is impeccable. I’d never harm a child.”

Stynes pointed at the cane. “I hope you feel better.”

“I hope you feel better, Detective,” Ludwig said. “It looks to me like something pretty serious is bothering you.”

Chapter Seventeen

In the late afternoon, when the heat of the day started to ease, Ashleigh received a text from Kevin.

I’m done. Where R U?

She wrote back: Going 2 park. Meet me there.

Ashleigh wore olive green shorts and a black Rolling Stones T-shirt she’d bought in a thrift store. She pulled a lightweight zippered sweatshirt from her closet, not because she was cold or expected to be but because she liked the feeling of long sleeves, of being a little covered up. She stepped into sneakers and went downstairs.

The old man sat in front of the television, getting his daily dose of Fox News. He looked up when she came into the room, his face almost expectant, like he might just be happy to see her. But the look fell just as quickly.

“I thought you were your mom,” he said.

“I’m not. Is she home?”

“She’s still at work,” he said. “They keep her hopping there, I guess.”

“She likes it.”

“Have you noticed anything different about her?” her grandpa asked. “Ever since the reporter and all these things started happening she’s been a little off.”

“This stuff probably just freaks her out,” Ashleigh said. She could tell the old man didn’t really get it. He