Page 29 of The Missing Couple

“Phil is back home after a round of audition calls out in Hollywood.” Mr. Bates smiled broadly but it wasn’t quite as bright as the one for his daughter.

“One of these days,” Charly said just to be kind, “we’re going to see him on the big screen.” She gestured to the man at her side. “This is my friend Billie Jagger. His sister, Briana, and her husband are the two who went missing earlier this week.”

The older man’s expression turned somber. “I heard about that. Just awful.” He shook his head. “Sometimes I wonder what this world is coming to.”

Yeah, so did a lot of people. Charly decided it was best not to go down that path.

“In my research,” Billie spoke up, “I’ve found eight very similar cases over the past sixteen years that have occurred in the Guntersville area. Five of the women who were abducted visited your store before disappearing. I believe you cooperated with the police and shared the video footage.”

Ned nodded, his face grave now. “I surely did. I have a daughter of my own. The idea of something like that is more than I can bear. I’m always happy to help in any way possible when bad things happen.”

“I’m sure that footage is no longer available,” Billie said, “but I—”

“Oh, I still have it,” Ned insisted. “I provided a copy of the first one to Sheriff Bradly—your daddy,” he said to Charly. “The other four I provided to Sheriff Malone. But I kept a copy of what I gave them. No way was I destroying what could be evidence. You know I watch a lot of those cold-case shows and sometimes evidence can matter even decades later when it didn’t matter at the time of the crime.”

Smart man. Charly barely resisted the urged to rush around the counter and hug him. “That’s great. If we could have a look at it that would be fantastic.”

He nodded, slowly at first then more vigorously. “Sure. I always call Sheriff Malone and remind him anytime anyone goes missing, but he never bothers to look again. Giving him grace, I suppose it’s irrelevant, but I feel it’s important to remind him.” He turned to Billie then. “The couple who’s missing now was here, too. I called Malone and sent that to him as soon as I heard what happened. He didn’t think the time on the recording was relevant, but I did my duty.”

“I really appreciate your diligence,” Billie said. “It could make all the difference.”

“No problem at all. Tina!”

The woman stocking started for the counter. “Yeah?”

“I’ll be in the office for a minute if you’d take care of things out here.”

“Sure thing.”

Ned led the way to his office. There was a short corridor behind the counter that went past an employee bathroom, a lounge and finally to his office. His desk was large and cluttered. A smaller desk to one side held a computer with a large monitor. This was where he paused.

He settled into the chair. “I’ll just pull up the file for you and leave you to it.”

Charly didn’t know Mr. Bates that well but she really appreciated his being so cooperative. She should have expected as much considering how kind he’d been after her parents’ deaths.

When he had the file open on the screen, he rolled back the chair and stood. “There you go. Take as much time as you need.” He gestured to the ceiling. “I have cameras in here, too, so I’m happy to leave the two of you to it.”

Billie thanked him and then Mr. Bates was gone.

Rather than take the seat at the computer, Billie pulled the chair that sat in front of the bigger desk over to the computer station and gestured for her to take it. Charly settled into the upholstered chair. She liked that he wanted to include her. But then she supposed anyone who worked at the Colby Agency would certainly be well mannered and thoughtful. He took the rolling chair.

As he started the first video, he said, “Let me know if you recognize anyone or spot the same character in more than one video.”

Charly leaned forward. “Got it.”

This was the oldest video—the one from sixteen years ago when Francesca Andrews went missing. Since the time frame that each victim was at the convenience store was known when the video was downloaded and saved, there was no wait to get to the relevant parts. Mr. Bates had only saved in this file the section that mattered. Charly watched the woman go into the store. Billie hit Pause and they both studied the vehicles in the lot and the people moving toward the store and out of the store in the direction of their vehicles.

She didn’t recognize anyone.

He started the video again. She watched, her heart beginning to pound, as Francesca wandered through the store and then went to the counter. She paid for her purchase and headed back out to her car. The video ended about five or so seconds after she drove away. No one appeared to follow her.

“Next up,” Billie said. He played the one from fourteen years ago.

Charly figured he was saving the video of Briana and Martin for last.

The third and fourth videos were the same as the first and second but Charly didn’t notice anyone or any vehicle that she recognized. The last one, the one from three years ago, was up next.

Charly barely remembered this one happening. It was during Alex’s final days, and he was all that was on her mind. Her whole world was wrapped up in making him comfortable.