We all look from one to another.
“Was Marty there? Was it her blood?” My sister continues asking questions.
“No.” He shakes his head. “I guess, we don’t know. Julie was alone. And there’s something else” —he seems to gather his strength— “the reason the shed caught their attention.” We were all listening. “The door was padlocked from the outside.”
“What?” Ollie and Matt question in unison as their hands ball into fists at their side.
Dad nods. “That’s how they found her or why they looked. The padlock looked new for the age of the building.”
I speak up. “That means someone locked her in there.”
“Sheriff Manes didn’t say that,” Dad replied, “but I’ve been thinking, and I think that’s what he meant.”
If that’s true, she didn’t willfully do this. Someone in Blue Gil or at least someone at that party tried to hurt her.
“Where is Marty?” Liv asks for a third time.
Dad shakes his head as his eyelids lower, veiling the blue. “No sign of her.”
“Wait.” I say, beginning to pace. “Are we worriedabout Julie’s friend’s safety or suspicious that she did this?”
“No,” Liv says, standing. “Marty wouldn’t hurt Julie. They’ve been friends forever. And besides, if she had, she would be home.” Liv turns toward our father. “Are people still searching for her?”
“I think so,” he murmurs as he slouches back into the vinyl chair, extending his jean-clad legs. Mud from this morning by the pond is caked on the soles of his boots.
Liv stays at our father’s side as I turn, taking in the waiting room. It’s then I notice Matt and Ollie standing near the entry doors, speaking quietly between themselves. I move closer. “What are you two thinking?”
“Padlock,” Ollie says, his jaw clenched. “What the actual fuck?”
Though Matt doesn’t answer, tension is written all over his face: his features are taut and the cords in his neck have bulged to life.
Considering the productions where I work, my thoughts go in nefarious directions. “It seems that someone either intended for her to die out there or that person had other plans, like coming back for her.” My gaze moves from Ollie to Matt. “I’m scared about the tests they’re running on her.”
“Scared?” Matt asks.
“Why is she still unconscious? I’m going to go out on a limb and say there is one or maybe more illegal substances in her system. Were they administered by someone else or did Julie willingly take them?”
“Did Julie willingly allow herself to be locked in a shed?” Ollie asks through clenched teeth.
“Of course she didn’t,” I reply. “But how did she get there?” When neither of the boys reply, I go on, “The two possibilities are that she walked into that shed willingly, and most likely under false pretenses. Or she was drugged somewhere else and taken there. Julie is probably all of one hundred and twenty pounds—or less—but still, someone carrying her would make a scene. That would be something witnesses remembered.”
“Hell, I’ve never seen a shed on the McKenna farm,” Ollie says. “Have you?”
“No.” I shake my head. “I’ve never gone as far back as the pond. When I was young all the excitement was in the barn or maybe into the trees.”
“So, who would even know it’s back there?” Matt asks.
“Someone did,” Ollie responds. His shoulders droop. “And what about Marty?”
“I have no idea.”
Time passes with bits and pieces of information.
Nearly three hours later, our mother comes out and takes all of us back to a room with a round table and a counter with a coffee maker, sink, and a small refrigerator.
“Your sister is still a minor.” Mom’s tired eyes move about the room. “I want this family united.” Her gaze comes my way. “We’ve been otherwise for too long. I asked the doctor who’s been treating Julie to come and talk with you. I don’t...can’t,” she corrects, her voice cracking, “answer your questions. She can. This is to stay between us. Only us.”
We all agree.
