and you know it.”
Randall shrugged. “I didn’t say it. Justin did.”
“So what happened after that?” Wyrick asked.
“We had a little scuffle. Traded a few punches, and then we all got in our tents and passed out. When we woke up the next morning, he was gone.”
Nita was pale and shaking. “Did you tell the police this?”
He shook his head.
She got out her phone and started texting.
“What are you doing?” Randall asked.
“Texting your father to come home.”
Randall covered his face.
“Was he just missing, or had he packed up and left?” Wyrick asked.
Randall shrugged. “All of his stuff was gone. That’s why we assumed he just walked back down. We didn’t expect his truck to still be in the parking lot when we got there.”
“Just to be clear. You didn’t look for him at all?” Wyrick asked.
Randall shook his head. “No, ma’am. We did not.”
Wyrick stood abruptly, shifting her focus to Nita.
“I’m going to ask the both of you not to call the Young family. I’m going over there right now. And if you care anything about Tony Dawson’s life and getting to the truth, you will do as I ask.”
Nita was shaken, but her whole attitude toward Wyrick had changed.
“You have my word. Randall and I will be sitting right here together, waiting for his father to get home.”
“I’ll see myself out,” Wyrick said, then stopped the video, packed up her things and walked out.
As she was driving away, she was already thinking about Justin Young. Would he be as open, or would he try to lie his way out?
She already knew there was more to the story than what he had admitted. Because, while Randall was telling her they didn’t search for him, she’d seen all three of them arguing, and it had been daylight, and they’d all been wearing backpacks. She didn’t know what that meant, but only two of them came off that mountain. Tony Dawson was still there, but did they leave him in trouble, or did he go off on his own?
She pulled up to the Young residence about fifteen minutes later, and as she got out, she saw someone briefly look out the window and then move away.
“Yes, I’m here,” Wyrick muttered, glad this was the last interview. She wasn’t a people person and had generated more conversation during these interviews than she did in a week. She knocked, and moments later, the door swung inward.
“Mrs. Young, I’m Wyrick.”
“I guessed,” Andrea Young said. “Come in. Justin is in the living room, and just so you know, you’re causing my husband to miss work this morning.”
“No, ma’am, I am not. Your son misplaced a friend. He’s the reason this is happening.”
Andrea’s nose went up in a disapproving sniff. “Follow me,” she said. As soon as they entered the living room, father and son stood. “Peter, Justin, this is Wyrick.”
Peter Young shook her hand. “Ms. Wyrick. I’ve heard great things about Charlie Dodge. We’re happy to do anything we need to help find Tony.”
“Thank you,” Wyrick said, and then looked at Justin. Like Randall, he appeared startled and fascinated by her. “I’m recording all of this for my boss. As soon as I get set up, we’ll begin. There are only a few questions, so it shouldn’t take long.”
“Did you already talk to Randall?” Justin asked.
“Yes, I did,” Wyrick said. “Take a seat, please, so I can set the camera up.”
“Oh, yes, sure,” Justin said, and sat beside his father.
As soon as Wyrick was ready, she got straight to the point.
“Did you and Randall make friends with Tony Dawson before you found out he was dating Trish Caldwell or afterward?”
Justin’s mouth dropped.
Andrea gasped. “What are you getting at?”
Peter frowned. “Wait...what’s happening?”
Wyrick shrugged. “Trish Caldwell never told Tony that she’d dated Randall before he moved here. It shouldn’t have mattered, but teenage boys being teenage boys, it probably did. So, was that what the argument was about? And how drunk were you before the fight started?”
Justin looked from one parent to the other, suddenly wishing they weren’t in the room.
Andrea stared. “Justin wasn’t drunk...right, son?”
Peter frowned. He knew boys better than that, because he’d been one.
“Justin, the truth,” Peter said.
Justin sighed. “We were drunk.”
“And what started the argument you said you had with Tony?” Wyrick asked.
Justin glanced at Wyrick, then looked away. “Randall did. He was jealous of Tony.”
“But why?” Andrea asked. “Randall and Trish Caldwell broke up months before Tony Dawson moved here.”
Justin glanced at his mom and then answered. “Trish is the one who broke it