Scratchgravel Road A Mystery - By Tricia Fields Page 0,47
resources for any project. I’m sure in your position you’ve experienced the fickle nature of the media. One never knows when the ally may become the opponent. It is in our best interest to do the work quietly and efficiently.”
Sylvia turned slightly and looked up at Diego to get his attention. She pointed to the computer screen.
“This doesn’t look good,” he said. He asked Sylvia to print the attendance record. He retrieved the piece of paper from his printer and read the name. “Juan Santiago. His job classification is listed as Unit Seven Shutdown Crew.” He ran a finger down the printout, squinting slightly at the page. “It says he’s been absent from work since last Wednesday.” He looked up from the paper, his brows furrowed. “I don’t know this person, but his supervisor is Skip Bradford. He’s supervisor in Unit Seven.” He looked at Josie and Otto. “Would you like to meet Skip in the unit? I’ll give you a brief tour of the plant and you can see the cleanup firsthand.”
Otto looked surprised, but pleased. He and Josie had both agreed on the ride over that they hoped for a look at the facility. There was something about off-limits areas that fed a cop’s imagination.
“Sure. I’d like to see the plant,” Otto said.
As they stood, Sylvia turned to leave the room. Before she reached the door Josie said, “Excuse me, Sylvia?”
The woman turned, looking startled.
“Could you provide me a home address for the employee as well?”
Something flickered across her face, but Josie couldn’t read her.
“Yes, of course,” she said, and left the office.
Diego pointed to a framed map hanging on the wall. “Take a look at the layout of the plant before we leave. It will give you a better sense of the scope of the cleanup.”
Josie and Otto stood behind Diego and looked at a series of buildings that were situated around an oval driving track, each one notated with a number from one through ten, except for one building labeled the pilot unit. It was the first unit past the building they were in now.
Diego pointed to the building labeled with the number one. “The processing started in Unit One with the uranium ore, and moved through each of the remaining nine buildings until enriched uranium was ready for shipment. Each of these buildings contained an amazing array of chemicals that we’re still working to dispose of.” Diego turned and motioned toward the door. “Let’s suit up and I’ll take you over to Unit Seven to meet Skip.”
* * *
Josie and Otto followed Diego to the back end of the building where they each grabbed a hard hat off a metal rack with a sign that read SAFETY FIRST. Before they walked outside Sylvia approached Josie and handed her a Post-it note with Santiago’s name and address neatly written on it. She said nothing, and turned and left after Josie thanked her for the information. Looking at the address, Josie realized his apartment was above the Family Value store.
She excused herself for a moment and called Lou on her cell phone. “Do me a favor. Call Marta at home and ask her if she’ll check an apartment in town to see if anyone’s home. Ask her to check with neighbors, see if anyone has seen the tenant in the past three days.” Josie read off the name and address Sylvia had provided. “Also, check BMV to see if there’s a car registered to that name. If there is, make sure the address is the same as the one I just gave you, and have Marta check it out as well.”
Following Otto and Diego outside, Josie looked up into what seemed to be a perpetually gray sky. The rain had diminished to a drizzle that didn’t merit an umbrella, but it still made for a miserable morning. They walked down a sidewalk and through an unlocked gate.
“Inside this fenced area is what has always been referred to as ‘production.’ You can see each of the ten units I showed you on the poster inside my office. Each unit is marked with a sign outside the main entrance.” He pointed to a building on the back side of the oval track. A sign that read UNIT 7 hung beside the entrance door. “Let’s use the golf carts to keep from walking through the mud.”
The scene behind the main office building was a set out of an old black-and-white horror flick. Driving up to the plant and approaching through