Page 5 of Twice Missing
Savannah's voice crackled through the speaker. "You slept?"
"Sleep? What's that?"
"I need you west of Saranac Lake. A truck has been pulled from Upper Saranac Lake. We got one deceased."
Noah pinched the bridge of his nose. "One? Franklin County should be handling it."
"They are, they have requested our assistance."
“Send Porter.”
“He’s on vacation.”
"So send Felix. He could use the experience."
"Noah." Savannah's tone brooked no argument.
"I need sleep, Savannah. I just came off night shift."
"And I need a raise. I guess we're both screwed."
"There are other investigators."
There was a pause.
"It's Emily Carter,” she said.
The name hit Noah like a physical blow. Silence stretched between them as memories flooded back, unbidden and unwelcome. Emily Carter. He’d known her since high school. His ex-wife Lena Grayson’s best friend. The woman who'd vanished without a trace ten years ago, leaving behind a grieving family and a community in shock.
Noah's mind raced through fragmented images: Emily's warm smile in the school hallways, her infectious laugh at their graduation party, the last time he'd seen her — happy, successful, a loving mother. Then came the darker memories: the frantic search efforts, the news reports that seemed to run endlessly, the annual walks organized by her children to keep her memory alive.
"Noah?" Savannah's voice pulled him back to the present. "You still there?"
He cleared his throat, pushing aside the weight of the past. "Yeah. Yeah, I'm here. Emily Carter... it's been a decade. What happened?"
"That's what we need you to find out. Her remains were found in a truck west of the town. I need you on this, Noah. You knew her, you know the history."
Noah nodded, forgetting Savannah couldn't see him. "Text me the coordinates. I'll be there in an hour."
As he ended the call, Noah leaned against the wall, suddenly feeling the full weight of his sleepless night and the gravity of what lay ahead. Emily Carter's case had haunted the community for years, a constant reminder of the fragility of life and the secrets that small towns couldhold. Now, a decade later, it seemed those secrets were finally coming to light.
"Everything okay?" Kerri asked, concern etching her features.
Noah nodded, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Yeah, just work. I've got to head out." He turned to Mia and Ethan. "Change of plans, kids. You okay to stay here a bit longer?"
Mia rolled her eyes. "Shocker."
"It's fine, Noah," Kerri interjected. "They can stay as long as needed."
Noah felt a pang of guilt as he looked at his children's resigned faces. This was supposed to be their time together, a rare morning when work didn't intrude. But Emily Carter's name echoed in his mind, a ghost from the past demanding attention.
"I'm sorry," he said, meaning it. "I'll make it up to you, I promise."
As he headed for the door, Willow's voice stopped him. "Uncle Noah?" He turned to find his niece holding out a Tupperware container. "Extra pancakes. For the road."
The simple gesture nearly undid him. Noah took the container, pulling Willow into a quick hug. "Thanks, kiddo."
With a final wave to the group, Noah left. As he climbed into his Bronco, Noah cast one last glance at the old train station museum.
