Page 8 of Silent Grave

"I know I should have called sooner," Angela said, sinking into her armchair. Dark circles shadowed her eyes—she clearly hadn't slept. "But all yesterday, I just figured he was off enjoying himself, maybe reconnecting with some old sweetheart I didn't know about. But to be gone two nights without a word—and leaving his truck at the mine like that…"

Sheila caught her father shifting in his seat, wondered if he was fighting his old habit of taking control of an interview. It had to be difficult to take a backseat to someone else—his own daughter, no less. But he stayed quiet, letting her lead.

"Tell me about his plans two nights ago," Sheila said. "Everything you remember."

"He was meeting Kyle and Marcus—they've been friends since elementary school."

"Their last names are…?"

"Sorry. Kyle Mackley and Marcus Tredway. They were supposed to..." Angela's voice caught. She took a breath. "They always hang out at that old mine entrance when they're home from college. I hate it, but Tyler says it's tradition."

Gabriel leaned forward. "Mrs. Matthews—"

"Angela," she corrected automatically.

"Angela." His voice was gentle, practiced. "Has Tyler seemed different lately? Worried about anything?"

Sheila watched her father work, noting how he'd softened his tone, how he'd mirrored Angela's posture. Same techniques he'd taught her years ago.

"No, he was..." Angela twisted her coffee mug in her hands. "He was excited, actually. Loving his time in Seattle. Sometimes he'd drop hints that it missed it here, but otherwise it seemed like things were good with him."

"Have you talked to Kyle and Marcus?" Sheila asked.

"They say they changed plans, decided to meet at the Copper Kettle instead—it was too cold out for them. Texted Tyler, but he never responded." Angela's hands tightened around her mug. "Tyler's truck is at the mine, so he went there… but then what happened?"

"Is there any chance he went into the mine?" Sheila asked. "Maybe got lost?"

Angela shook her head. "He knew better than to go in there. Besides, he got claustrophobic easily." She rose quickly, coffee sloshing over the rim of her mug. "I'm sorry—I just need a minute."

When she left the room, Sheila and her dad exchanged a glance. Sheila could see that her father felt the same sympathy for Angela that she herself felt. It had to be agonizing not knowing where her son was or what might have happened to him.

Angela returned a few minutes later, her eyes red but her composure restored. She sat back down, wrapping her hands around her mug as if seeking warmth.

"I'm sorry," she said. "It's just... not knowing..."

"Tell us more about Tyler," Sheila said gently. "What kind of person is he?"

A ghost of a smile touched Angela's face. "Smart. Determined. When he sets his mind to something..." She trailed off, then rallied. "He's studying biochemistry. Wants to do research on new cancer treatments."

"Sounds ambitious," Gabriel said.

"He is. Was." Angela caught herself, shook her head. "Is. He works so hard. Even when he's home, he's always studying." She gestured toward a family photo on the wall—Tyler in a cap and gown, his arm around his mother. "We used to be so close, but lately..."

"Lately?" Sheila asked.

"We've been... disagreeing. About faith, mostly." Angela's fingers worried at a cross pendant around her neck. "I raised him in the church, but after he started going to college... He says he needs proof for everything now. That faith isn't enough." She gave a wan smile. "Just one more thing for us to argue about, I suppose."

Sheila glanced at her father, saw him making mental notes just as she was.

"Mrs. Matthews," Gabriel said, "we'd like to talk to Kyle and Marcus. Do you have their contact information?"

"Of course." Angela reached for her phone with trembling hands. "They're good boys. They've known Tyler forever."

As Angela scrolled through her contacts, Sheila studied the family photo again. Tyler's smile was bright, confident. A young man with his whole future ahead of him.

Where had he gone? Had someone else shown up outside that mine, or had Tyler gone in? And if so, why?

"Here," Angela said, showing them the numbers on her phone. "Kyle's parents still live on Cedar Street. Marcus is staying with his sister while he's home from college."

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