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“I talked to Coach Steve on the drive over,” Alyssa said once Lio finished. “He dropped Alex off at ten after five. Steve said there were no vehicles around, and nothing looked out of place. He didn’t pull away until Alex went inside the house.”
“I’m going to need his number,” Hale said as he wrote down notes. “Was Alex having any problems at school?”
“Some kids were talking trash to him about the Dylan Eads investigation, which I’m sure you’re aware of,” Lio said.
“Yes, sir,” Hale said calmly. “Do you think the investigation is responsible for your son’s disappearance?”
“Possibly,” Lio replied. “Someone took a shot at me over the weekend after I’d had a run-in with Eads.” Hale softly whistled as he wrote. “He had alibi witnesses,” Lio said, “but they were all personal friends or relatives.”
Hale listened as Lio outlined the events of the past few weeks. “Chief, you know protocol dictates I interview you like any other parent of a missing child. Mind if we step aside and have a private conversation?”
“Of course, Detective.”
“I can’t believe this is happening,” Alyssa said after they walked off. “I want to be out there looking for Alex.”
Russ slid an arm around her back. “I know, honey, but we have to proceed carefully.”
“It’s hard to believe Eads is behind this,” Alyssa said. “He doesn’t seem smart enough to pull it off.”
“Even a broken clock is right twice a day, and sometimes luck is better than smarts,” I said. “Alex wasn’t supposed to be here tonight. His abductor was here for Lio, not him. I think he’s taken our boy until he figures out what to do.”
“I agree with Abe,” Russ said. “If he’d wanted to harm Alex, he had time and opportunity to do so.”
“So our guy panicked,” Alyssa said. “That does sound like something Eads might do.”
“I’m already a step ahead of you,” Rigby said. “I have SPD officers out looking for him.”
Lio rejoined us, and I hugged him as Alyssa took her turn speaking to Hale. “Christ, I need my son back,” he said.
Voices came from the backyard, and I heard the dog handler issuing commands. Lio and I stepped over and watched as the officers with flashlights followed the dog and its handler toward the barn. I gripped Lio’s elbow and led him back to the group.
“I can’t just stand here and wait for someone else to find Alex,” he said. “I need to do something.”
“You need to trust CCSD to do their jobs,” Rigby said. “SPD will assist however we can.”
“Would you trust the sheriff’s department if it was your kid?” Russ asked.
“I think Hale is a promising young detective, but no, I wouldn’t,” Rigby said softly.
That’s when I knew I would run for sheriff in Chatham County. Citizens needed to have faith in their law enforcement departments when they called for help.
Alyssa rejoined us for a few minutes. “I’ve given him a list of Alex’s friends and their contact information. I will get him Alex’s cell phone activity, but I doubt it sheds light on anything. Nothing Alex said or did resulted in his abduction.”
Shouting came from the rear of the property, and the blood in my veins turned to ice.
“Stay here,” Hale insisted.
“He’s fine,” Alyssa said. “I feel it in my heart. Whatever is back there, it’s not Alex.”
Hale returned a few minutes later. “The K-9 handler used one of your son’s shirts from his gym bag to get his scent, and the dog got a hit. He tracked Alex’s scent to behind the barn before it disappeared. There’s a set of fresh tire marks back there. It looks like they belong to a truck or SUV. Could they be yours?”
“No,” Lio said adamantly. “I’ve never parked there.”
Hale nodded and made a note. “We’ll get casts made.” He tucked his notebook away, then added, “We’re going to process the house, which will take a while. I know how hard it must be for you to step back and let us take control of the situation, but it’s best for everyone. I promise to keep you updated.”
We reluctantly agreed, and Hale went inside the house.
“We can go back to our place,” Alyssa said.
