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She smiled. “We aren’t so different, Doc—just two humans with needs who try to help others however we can.”
Gene barked out a short, self-deprecating laugh. “Try being the operative word. But I don’t think I make enough of a difference.”
Amanda studied him. “What is enough?”
He sat up and stared at the crackling fire. “I don’t know.”
Amanda waited for him to continue, but he stayed silent. She knew he was deciding what his next step would be. The path he chose would shape the rest of his life. On the hike earlier, he’d been energized when he’d told her about Costa Rica. Working abroad sounded exciting and important.
Will he go away to make that impact he craves?
Amanda didn’t get to ask the question. A buzz made her reach for her phone and read the message that came in.
“Oh my gosh,” she breathed out.
“What?” Gene turned to her.
Amanda’s voice shook. “It’s Liam. He got a name. Mona Carson.”
Gene’s eyes lit up. “That’s huge news.”
“Will you pass that on to Patrick?”
Amanda could hardly contain her excitement. Her fingers trembled as she texted Liam back.
She glanced at the clock. It was barely eight, and she wondered if this new information would move the needle faster at all.
Gene put his call on the speaker.
Patrick picked up after a few rings.
“Detective Alden.”
“Patrick, we just—”
“There’s no update yet,” Patrick cut him off. “You know I have other things to work on, too.”
“We’re calling because we have another piece of the puzzle,” Gene said.
Patrick went silent on the other end before asking, “What could you possibly uncover within the last three hours?”
“Amanda.” Gene smiled at her to do the honor.
“Her name is Mona Carson. She’s a freshman at Gainesville High. My part-time employee, Liam—a junior there—circulated the sketch. More than a few recognized Mona,” Amanda summarized. “And she hasn’t been in school since last week.”
“Carson?” Patrick spelled the name for confirmation. They heard some faint clicking in the background. “No missing persons report for Mona Carson, but it doesn’t mean anything. And since she’s a minor, I found nothing in the database.”
“Can you talk to the school to confirm?” Gene asked.
“I may be able to discreetly ask the principal to confirm the sketch is Mona Carson since we have probable cause, but there’s protocol when dealing with minors.”
“How about her parents? Liam’s friend mentioned her family is affluent enough to pull her out of school a week at a time for vacations,” Amanda said.
Doubt infused Patrick’s voice. “If that is the case, there’s a chance this isn’t the same girl. Maybe her parents pulled her out for another vacation.”
“With the same first name? How many teenagers with the name Mona reside in this town, do you think?” Amanda challenged.
“I’m just talking plausible scenarios, but I agree it’s too big of a coincidence.”
