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She squirmed, fear tingling in her stomach at the impending storm, then turned her gaze back out the window. Brick warehouses and colorful rows of houses dotted either side of the road.
“I have your notebook in the backseat. Do you want to see if anything jogs your memory? We can try to put some pieces together while I drive.” Owen slid his left hand to the top of the wheel and stretched his arm over the seat behind him.
“I’ll get the notebook.” She swiveled toward the back, scooped up the journal she’d kept close to her side for months, and flipped it open.
“I only glimpsed through it but looks like you were pretty thorough.” Owen made a left turn toward a part of town she’d never been.
“I tried. Once Nora was born, I devoted myself to two things. Being the best mom I could be, and doing whatever I could to stop Bill from ruining our lives.” She scanned the first page, searching for the name Edward Jones or anything that sparked her interest. Each page listed dates, times, and names. She made notes detailing if the name represented someone who’d been to their house or was just brought up in conversation. “The name Eddy is in here. I wonder if that’s the same person.”
Owen shrugged. “Maybe. We’ll find out in a minute.”
A large building came into view with a sea of cars in the parking lot. Owen drove to the front of the school and parked beside the sidewalk. Teenagers swarmed out the double doors, backpacks bouncing on their shoulders and cell phones pressed against their ears. “Looks like school just let out.”
She noted the worry lines etched around the corners of his eyes. Unable to stop herself, she rested a hand on his forearm. “Are you sure you’re okay?” She’d debated asking the question, but he’d shown her compassion and kindness. Asking for his wellbeing was the least she could do.
His gaze dropped to her hand then he locked his eyes with hers. A hint of a smile poked through, turning her insides to mush. “I will be, so will Tommy. But I can’t stop and think too much about that. Not right now. But thanks. It’s nice to have someone care.”
His gratitude made her core tingle and she forced herself to stop touching him and focused on the flood of students hurrying to their vehicles. “Might be easier to talk to the principal without a bunch of kids around.” Marie hopped out of the car and studied the young faces of the students who flowed past.
Owen shut off the engine and joined her on the sidewalk. “When I called, the secretary told me the principal would be here until five.” He hustled toward the doors with the school logo etched in the glass and opened it wide.
Students rushed out, casting him curious glances before returning their focus to their friends or phones or whatever else needed their attention.
Longing tightened Marie’s chest. Renee would be getting out of school for the day. Would she head to the diner to work an evening shift? Or stay home to study? She missed her sister fiercely. Renee deserved the carefree, typical teenage issues most of these kids had. Instead, she was holding down the fort and helping keep their mom clean.
Stepping into the wide hallway, Marie followed Owen to the first door on the right. He ushered her inside the office.
A woman with long gray hair and a welcoming smile sat at a large desk. Stacks of piled-high paper littered the counter behind her and square cubbies lined the wall. She glanced at them with raised brows, but her smile never faltered. “Can I help you?”
Owen held up his identification. “I’m Deputy Wells. I believe we spoke earlier. I need to see Ms. Teller.”
Her wide smile failed. “Oh, yes. One second.” Grabbing the telephone receiver, she squeezed it between her ear and shoulder and pressed a few buttons. “Patricia, the deputy is here to see you.” She nodded and hung up the phone. “Go on back. Her office is the first door on the left.”
“Thank you,” Owen said.
Marie shot her a timid smile then followed Owen past her desk and down the carpet-lined hall.
The door to Ms. Teller’s office stood wide open. Owen knocked on the door frame before entering. A middle-aged woman with shoulder length chestnut hair rose and hurried to offer them a handshake. “Please, come in and close the door. I’m not sure what I can do for you today, but I’ll help in any way I can.”
Two cushioned chairs with metal armrests sat in front of the desk, and Marie took a seat. She folded her hands in her lap and stared around the room. The blinds on the lone window blocked out the late afternoon sunlight and books lined a tall shelf in the corner. Educational certificates hung on the wall, but no personal effects were in sight.
“I’m Deputy Wells and this is Marie Robinson. Thank you for making time for us.” He took the other seat and cleared his throat. “I need to speak with you about one of your students—Edward Jones.”
A frown tugged down her lips. “Has something happened?”
“Edward’s name has come out in the course of an investigation. I understand his father passed away recently and his mother is having difficulties with him. I hoped you could shed some light. Friends he spends time with, hobbies or extracurricular activities he’s involved in. Anything that could point us to where we could find him.”
Ms. Teller blew out a long breath and shook her head. “I hate to say I’m not surprised. He’s had a tough time. A lot of the staff have reached out and tried to help him through it, but nothing has worked.” She grabbed a pencil and sheet of paper. “Here are the names and information of the parents of a couple of boys Eddy was close to before his dad got sick. They might know something.”
Marie’s ears perked up. “Does he usually go by Eddy?”
“Yes.” Ms. Tell shifted her tired eyes toward Marie. “I don’t think anyone ever calls him Edward.”
“One more question,” Owen said. “You mentioned members of the staff trying to help. Is there anyone who was more successful? Someone who might be able to help find him?”
Ms. Teller leaned back in her chair and sighed, clasping her hands in her lap. “The chemistry teacher, Mr. Silas, seemed to get through to him, but unfortunately he’s not here today.”
“Will he be here tomorrow? Can I get his contact information?”
