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Chapter 9
Carter and Mark stoodin the reception area of the Fire Mountain Manor, an assisted living facility for those struggling with medication management and community living.
“May I help you?”
“Yes, we are here to visit Charles Greely.”
“I’ll have to ask if he wants a visit. May I have your name?”
Mark pulled out his card that identified him as securities and a prior Marine. Carter’s showed securities and prior Army. The woman gave them a long look. Both men knew when they were being sized up for someone’s night of fantasy as she finally drew her eyes away, saying she’d be back as she walked down the hall.
When the receptionist returned, she brought a fit man with her. It was obvious he had been a bigger man before, but he still held many attributes of someone who took pride in who he was. He approached and put out his hand.
“Gentlemen, what can I do for you?”
“Charles Greely?” asked Mark.
“Yes, would you like to take a seat?”
The men nodded. Carter began. “Thank you for talking to us. We are working on a missing persons case and believe you might help us?”
“Okay, why?”
“Do you have a sister?”
“Audra. Yes. Is she okay?” Charles’ demeanor stiffened in concern.
“As far as we know, yes. But we don’t have that information because we are trying to find her to speak to her. We just don’t know where she lives. We hoped,” Mark spoke collaboratively, “that you might have an idea.”
“This missing person isn’t Audra, right?”
“No, we should have been clearer,” said Carter. “We understand you both know the woman. She’s a psychiatrist, Oakley Addison.”
“Dr. Addison is missing?”
“She has been for over two weeks. We understand the last person she saw in her office was your sister, Audra. We want to ask her about the state of Dr. Addison on that visit.”
“Are you sure? I mean, Audra didn’t like Dr. Addison.”
Mark pulled out his phone and showed a photo of the woman on the video camera in the waiting room. “Is this your sister?”
Charles leaned over and grabbed the cell phone. “Damn, it is her.”
Mark continued. “Do you have any idea why she made the appointment under the name of ‘Amy Johnson.’”
“My mother’s middle name and her maiden name. Audra blames Dr. Addison for my being hospitalized and then choosing to stay here for a while to stabilize. She’s wrong about this being a harmful place because the hospital and now here are the best choices I have made since getting the diagnosis. I’ll leave here in a few months, but until then, I am building my confidence and can live a much better life. This is all due to Dr. Addison’s help.”
“But your sister didn’t see it that way?” asked Mark.
“No. She wanted me to stay with her, waste my life doing nothing of value. She’s depressed and angry since her divorce. She quit her job and helped me until Dr. Addison made these arrangements. I’m not going back to stay with Audra when I get out. I’m going to get my own place and a job. My hope is I can convince her to do the same, but I’m not sure that’s possible. But I intend to try.” Charles’ voice was firm and determined.
“I hope that works out for both of you,” said Carter. “Can you tell us where she lives now because we have checked the home you both lived in, and it was not being occupied at present.”
“She’s not there? I knew she was acting very strange the last time she came by, and that’s been about two weeks or so. I can’t quite remember... oh shit. She usually comes at least twice a week.” He shook his head and gave them a worried look that the men didn’t like. “Dr. Addison stopped checking on me a little over two weeks ago. I’m positive it’s been a while. How could I have not noticed?” He placed his head on his open palms. “Audra, what have you done?” He looked at the men. “The only thing we have is my father’s old fishing cabin out in the woods, but it’s pretty run down. I don’t think she would stay out there.”
“Is there an address?” asked Carter.
