Page 27 of Twice Missing
Natalie paused for a second, biting down on the corner of her lip in a way that suggested she was contemplating telling him something. Then, without another word, she left, but not before telling a waiter about her change in order. Noah knew what that meant — she was paying for the meal they'd ordered just fifteen minutes earlier.
As soon as Natalie was gone, Noah sat back, soaking in the atmosphere. The tavern's warmth felt at odds with the chill that had settled in his gut. He took out his phone, about to call his brother Ray, when it began ringing. The caller ID came up as McKenzie.
Noah tapped accept. "Yeah?"
McKenzie's voice came through, tinged with excitement and disbelief. "Are you sitting?"
"I am," Noah replied, his interest piqued.
"You are never going to believe this. We've got Doug Grayson in custody."
Noah's eyebrows shot up. "Lena's father?"
"I know. Crazy, right? We ended up arresting him at that motel we were checking out."
"For what?" Noah asked, his mind racing with possibilities.
"Well, that's the thing. Initially..." McKenzie groaned, stopping for a moment. Noah could hear muffled conversation in the background before McKenzie got back on the phone. "Probably best you come on down to the department. There's too much to cover over the phone, and his lawyer has just shown up."
"He is a lawyer," Noah pointed out, the irony not lost on him.
"Yeah, isn't that odd?" McKenzie chuckled. "I always wondered who big shot lawyers call when they need a lawyer. I guess we'll find out."
As the call ended, the server came out with Noah's supper and set it in front of him. He took out his wallet, a sense of resignation settling over him. "Maybe you can see if someone else wants it," he said to the waitress.
"You're also not staying?" the woman asked, surprise evident in her voice.
"Seems not," Noah replied, tossing down payment. "But let the chef know it's not his cooking, it's just this town." With that, he left, the warmth of Peak 46 giving way to the biting cold of the winter night.
The drive to the Adirondack County Sheriff's Office was a blur of swirling snow and winding roads. As Noahcrested the final hill after a 50-minute drive from the High Peaks region, the sheriff's complex came into view, shrouded in a gentle snowfall. The winter scene was both serene and foreboding, with snowflakes drifting lazily down, blanketing the ground in a soft, white layer that muffled sound and added an eerie calm to the air.
The Adirondack County Emergency Public Safety Building stood resolute against the backdrop of falling snow. Its modern architecture, a blend of reinforced concrete and tinted glass, glistened under the gentle snowfall. The structure seemed to absorb the quiet, its sharp lines softened by the accumulation of snow on the ledges and railings. Nearby, plow trucks were parked, their blades still caked with remnants of previous storms, ready to spring into action at a moment's notice.
To the left, the county jail loomed large. As Noah pulled into the visitor parking area, he noticed how the snow clung to everything — trees lining the driveway were heavy with white, and even the vehicles seemed draped in winter's embrace. The air was harsh; each breath emerged as a visible cloud of vapor. A few sheriff's cruisers glided silently through the lot, their tires crunching softly on the packed snow as they came and went like shadows in this frozen environment.
Near the main entrance, a large communications array stretched skyward, its antennas dusted with fresh snowflakes that sparkled like diamonds against the gray sky. The building was alive with activity; Noah could see figures moving behind frosted glass windows — dispatchers and officers engaged in their vital work.
As he made his way toward the door, he noticed Natalie's vehicle parked nearby. Its sleek lines stood out from the utilitarian police vehicles surrounding it. The sight of it sent a jolt of unease through him, raising more questions than answers.
As usual, Maisie Callaway, the dispatcher, receptionist, and mother figure to most of the office, was there to greet him. "Noah. Hi hon, McKenzie is waiting for you. A little more uptight than usual, but when is he not?" She chuckled as she buzzed him in. Noah gave a nod, entering and making his way toward the interview rooms.
"Have a good day, deputies," Natalie said, turning and almost running right into Noah.
"Natalie. What are you doing here?" Noah asked, surprise evident in his voice.
"I'm sure your colleagues will bring you up to speed," she said, moving past him, almost as if they weren't even friends. He caught a look in her eye as if she was uncomfortable and yet was there on matters that superseded even their friendship.
As Natalie disappeared down the hallway, Noah caught sight of Doug Grayson. The older man had a scowl on his face, the same one he'd worn the first time Noah had met him and asked to marry his daughter. In Doug's eyes, Lena had always been too good for Noah.
"Noah," Doug said, his voice cold.
"Doug," Noah replied, keeping his tone neutral.
"Aye, and our apologies again," McKenzie said, looking sheepish as he approached.
They waited until they were out of earshot beforeMcKenzie let out a breath he'd been holding and went back into the interview room to retrieve some paperwork. Callie was in there too, looking equally mortified.
"Either of you want to fill me in on this?" Noah asked, his patience wearing thin.
