Page 14 of The Catcher
“We all were in the beginning,” Noah countered.
“You know how this works. Two white teens. One dead, the other missing. They want as many agencies on this as possible. This needs to be reeled in before…”
“Before what? The place gets a bad rap? Look around you, Savannah. It already has. Alicia was right; I shouldn’thave come back here. This place is a powder keg just waiting to explode,” Noah argued.
“All the more reason for people like you and me to stay, dig in, and clean up shop,” Savannah replied.
“This isn’t the wild west, Savannah — the destruction of one damn camera is proof of that — and it sure as hell isn’t like the days when we rolled together. No, I’m not going to be much use to you. My head is just not there,” Noah admitted.
“Noah, I’ve always got your back, no matter what. But you’ve got two choices: return to the office or go back to helping Ed work on his boat. I would advise returning to work,” Savannah concluded, slipping the crime scene report over to him on the table. “In the meantime, look it over.”
Noah reached for the folder and flipped it open, revealing the top photos of the teenagers, their youthful faces captured in high school portraits. A sense of familiarity washed over him as he compared their images to those of his children, Ethan and Mia.
“She’s the same age as Mia and goes to the same high school. Go over the report. Go to the scene. Examine the evidence. Speak to Dr. Chambers from the Medical Examiner’s Office and advise the others on your findings. If it gets a little too much, I’ll cut you loose and give you more time off. But we could use your help."
Noah said he would think about it as she rose.
“Say hello to Mia and Ethan for me.”
Savannah left his sunroom, her words echoing in his mind. He knew she was right. Despite his reluctance, dutycalled. With a heavy sigh, he turned to the folder before him.
Taking a deep breath, Noah flipped through the pages, absorbing the details of the crime scene report. The images of the two teenagers stared back at him. He couldn’t shake the feeling of déjà vu as he looked at the girl’s photo; her resemblance to Mia sent a pang of unease through him.
4
After a second cup, early caffeine jitters took hold, adding to the anxiety he was already feeling. Closing the folder, Noah stood up from his chair. It was easy to wallow. Grief had no expiration date. In many ways, he had every right to disappear into a void of drinking and retreat from society. There were no rules telling him he couldn’t, but there were consequences.
Life continued. His children’s lives. His work life.
He couldn’t afford to dwell on the past or let his demons hold him back.
With purposeful strides, Noah made his way out of the sunroom. He glanced down at his phone, noting the time. It was still early. There was plenty of daylight left to visit the crime scene.
“Hey, uh, Ed!”
Ed glanced up from his boat.
“We may have to put that fishing trip on hold until the weekend.”
“Sons of bitches reeled you back in, didn’t they?”
He contemplated his question for a second before offering an answer. “I guess I’m a sucker for punishment.”
Ed waved him off.
As he headed towards his Bronco, Noah made a mental note to stop by the Sheriff’s Office on the way back to gather any additional information they might have collected. Savannah was right; cases required as many agencies on them as possible. He knew no one agency could do this alone, it was a group effort, and he was always grateful for the support, even if it came with its own set of challenges.
With Savannah’s words ringing in his ears, Noah squared his shoulders and set off, determined to bring closure to the families. He only hoped the girl was still alive.
As he made his way to the remote location deep within the High Peaks Wilderness, he was confronted by memories from his childhood that had shaped his life.
Arriving at the trailhead, Noah felt uneasy as he stepped out of the Bronco and into a parking lot in front of a vast forest. A mist hung low among the towering trees, casting an eerie aura over the landscape. Noah took a moment to steel himself, drawing on his years of experience as a seasoned investigator to push aside his doubts.
It never got any easier. Every case was a lurch into the dark. He often felt like a man swaying at sea, trying to get his balance.
Before him, a group of state troopers greeted him. “It’sgood to see you,” one of the troopers called out, extending a hand in greeting.
Noah returned the handshake with a firm grip, his gaze scanning the scene. Day two, and forest rangers, state troopers, and local law enforcement officers were still bustling about, their radios crackling with updates and instructions.
