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“Nina, okay. I’m going to ask you a few personal questions about your son. They might sound odd at first, but please understand that these help us build a picture of where he might have gone.”
Uswho? I want to ask. Who exactly is going to lead the search for my son? An hour ago, I called 911. Thirty minutes ago, the B-team showed up at my door, and it’s been amateur hour ever since.
I bite my tongue and remind myself to trust the process.
We must always respect the process.
“Does James smoke?” Jackson asks.
“Yes. I found cigarettes in his coat pocket a few months ago.”
Jackson’s bushy red brows arch.
“Do you know if James does any recreational drugs?”
“I don’t—”
“No,” Tristan barks, clearly offended by this question. “My son doesn’t do drugs.”
By his expression, it’s obvious Officer Jackson isn’t taking our word on this, but he doesn’t argue. After all, kids who smoke are significantly more likely to use drugs compared to those who don’t smoke.
Jackson looks at his notes. “Let’s talk about his friends—”
“I’ve already given you their names. James is very introverted. He prefers to be alone.”
“Yes, and I’ve got someone calling his friends now. But is there anyone else aside from the two names you provided? Maybe someone who isn’t in school? Older, maybe?”
“No. Like I said, James is a loner.”
“What about a girlfriend?”
“Not since his last relationship last year. Puppy love, it was. Didn’t last long. I gave you her name as well.”
Tristan is now popping his knuckles one by one, each pop like a gunshot. I feel like I am about to jump out of my skin.
“What are James’s hobbies?” Jackson asks. “When he isn’t in school, what does he do?”
“He reads.”
“Reads?”
“Yes.”
Jackson appears surprised by this. I imagine his offspring spend their spare time roping pigs in the backyard.
“What does he like to read?”
“Fantasy, mostly ...” I pause, a sudden rush of memories hitting like a tidal wave.
Tristan and I gifted James the completeLord of the Ringsbox set for his tenth birthday. I remember how proud I was that my child was so excited about receiving books.Just like his dad, I remember thinking at the time.A dreamer, an idealist. A calm, confident soul.
God, how things have changed.
“Nina?”
I blink out of my trance.
“How about hiking?” Jackson asks. “Camping? Does James do anything like that? Any favorite nature spots?”
