“I was so inspired by some things here in Chestnut Ridge. I’m doing some mountain scenes, and these were from a visit with one of my seniors.”
“Farmer?”
“Not exactly.”
“Well, I have news.” He clapped his hands together. “I’ve been dying to tell you, but I wanted to do it in person.”
She cocked her head. “Good news?”
“I think so.”
“About the case?”
He nodded. “Can I take you down to the sheriff’s office?”
“Am I in trouble?”
“No. I need to show you some things. Get a statement. See if this is your guy.”
“Oh my gosh.” She clasped her hands around her mouth and nose. “Really?” Tears fell to her cheeks. She leaned over, trying to catch her breath. “I can’t believe it.”
“Well, let’s see if it’s him. By the book. There are procedures we have to follow. Bear with me. You ready?”
“Yes. Definitely. Let’s go.” She ran to the other side of his truck.
“Let’s put the puppy up. Don’t want to leave him in the truck. I don’t know how long this will take.”
“Yes. Of course.” She ran back over and had to chase the puppy to catch him.
She had her arms full of the squirming bundle, who clearly thought it was a game.
He grabbed the puppy by the nape of the neck and pulled him into his arms. “I’ll carry him.”
The puppy barked.
“Yeah, yeah,” Randy said. “I hear ya. We’ll be back. Might even bring you a toy if you’re good.”
“I’m so excited. I can barely breathe. My heart is pounding so fast.”
They put the puppy in the cabin and then drove straight to the sheriff’s office.
There was no buzzer and no reception area. Six desks filled the room, but only one was occupied.
A portly older man walked out. “You made it back fast.” The sheriff walked over to Natalie. “Hello, young lady. I’m Sheriff Brothers. We can use the interrogation room over there. I’ve already put all the files in there for you.”
“Thank you,” Natalie said.
“Thank you, Sheriff.”
“Let’s see what we’ve got,” Randy said. He walked through the evidence provided by the North Carolina team. Letting Natalie draw her own conclusions. The first picture was from a distance, the work of a private investigator.
“His hair is darker in this picture, but it looks like him.” Her smile faded. “It’s been a while. I’m not as clear as I was months ago. I guess I’ve pushed those memories aside a bit.” She put her hand over the hair. “The glasses too. He wasn’t wearing glasses, but the smile? The set of his chin? It looks so much like him.” She let out a sigh. “I think? I don’t know.”
“It’s okay,” Randy said. “Don’t stress. Take your time. I have more pictures.”
One by one he laid them out. The sheriff looked on.
She didn’t say anything else, just sat there, nodding and taking it in, until he laid down a picture of the subject with a woman at his side.
