Before She Was Found - Heather Gudenkauf Page 0,36

will answer. She doesn’t so he decides to move on.

“So Jordyn left and then what did you do?”

“I went looking for her but I couldn’t find her, so I went back. I wanted to be there when he did come. And he did—Jordyn was wrong.”

“Who?” I ask before I can stop myself. “Who came?” Violet looks over at me as if she realizes for the first time that I’ve returned to the room.

Officer Grady’s radio crackles and he reluctantly removes it from his utility belt. He listens to a string of muffled words that I can’t understand but my attention is still on Violet. “Who came?” I ask again once he puts away his radio but Violet is watching Officer Grady carefully.

“Violet, this is very important,” he says. His voice has lost all of its earlier warmth. “Who did you see at the train yard?”

Violet ducks her head. “I don’t know.”

“But you saw someone?” Officer Grady asks. Violet nods. “But you didn’t recognize him? You didn’t know the person?” She nods again. “So you did know him?” Officer Grady says in exasperation.

“You’re confusing her,” I protest. “Violet, did you recognize the person?”

“You won’t believe me,” she answers with a slight shake of her head.

“Violet, all we want to know is the truth,” Officer Grady says, again trying for his earlier gentle tone but Violet is having none of it and buries her face in her hands.

“I think she needs a break,” I say, unable to keep the anger from my voice. “Can’t we do this later?”

Officer Grady sighs. “I just got word on my radio that a sheriff’s deputy picked up your son and another boy. He’s asking for you. They’ll meet us down at the police station.”

“What for?” I ask in disbelief. Max gets in his share of trouble but has never been picked up by the police before.

“I’m not sure,” Officer Grady says.

“Bullshit,” I blurt out. “The sheriff doesn’t randomly pick up two teenage boys without a reason. What happened?”

“I honestly don’t know,” Officer Grady says. “The witness at the train yard reported seeing a black, two-door Honda around the time she found Cora. Your son was found with another boy in a car that matches that vehicle’s description. The deputy is bringing them in to answer a few questions. Once the doctor discharges Violet, I can drive you back to town.”

“It’s got to be some kind of misunderstanding,” I say in frustration, sure that the woman who found Cora must have made a mistake. There isn’t any lighting in the train depot. It was too dark and any car she might have seen would look black. “I want to make it clear—I don’t want anyone talking to Violet or Max without my permission. Do you understand?”

Officer Grady nods. “No,” I insist. “I want you to get on that radio right now and tell them that under no circumstances is anyone to question Max until I get there.”

“Understood,” Officer Grady says as he opens the examination room door. “I’ll meet you at the front entrance and we’ll head back to Pitch.”

It’s insane to think that Max could have hurt anyone. He’s gotten into a bit of trouble but has never been violent except for the one time back in New Mexico and that was just a stupid schoolyard dustup.

The nurse removes the IV from Violet’s arm and since her clothes have been taken as evidence she gives Violet a small pair of scrubs to wear home from the hospital. “Sorry I don’t have any shoes for you,” she says, “but I do have these lovely yellow socks.” Violet gives the nurse a small smile. To me the nurse says, “Paperwork is all done so you are free to go. Good luck and don’t hesitate to call if you have any questions.” I thank her and wait until she leaves before I speak again to Violet.

“Did you see Max while you were out?” I ask Violet as she pulls on the socks. “Near the train yard?” Violet shakes her head and looks like she wants to tell me more but doesn’t say anything. “What?” I ask. “This is important. Did you see a car near the train yard this morning, Violet?”

“It’s hard to remember,” Violet says as we move into the corridor and toward the exit where Officer Grady will be waiting for us.

“You need to remember,” I say more sharply than I mean to and Violet flinches as if I slapped her. “We just need to be as