Before She Was Found - Heather Gudenkauf Page 0,43

hundreds of worried and grief-stricken parents and visitors. I pulled a chair up and sat down next to her, positioning myself so I could see if anyone was lingering near the door to ensure privacy for our conversation.

Mara looked somewhat rested compared to when I saw her the evening before. Knowing that Cora’s injuries weren’t life-threatening certainly must have eased her mind. Her blond hair was brushed and tucked smoothly behind her ears and her face was expertly made up. Someone must have brought her a change of clothes. Gone were the paint-splattered yoga pants and sweatshirt. Instead she wore tailored jeans, ballet flats and a long-sleeve black T-shirt.

During the fifteen minutes that we visited, Mara painted a picture of a happy twelve-year-old who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. I took note that Mara didn’t mention any of the anxiety that was noted in Cora’s medical records.

“Where are the police in their investigation? Have they given you any more information?” I asked.

“Just bits and pieces,” Mara said. “It’s very frustrating. The officer did say that they didn’t think robbery was the motive. I mean, obviously. Who would rob a twelve-year-old? But then he said that the ER nurses found two hundred dollars in Cora’s pocket. Why in the world would she have that kind of money with her?”

“What did Cora say?” I asked.

“She said she didn’t know. She couldn’t remember.” Mara shook her head. “It doesn’t make any sense.”

“Why were the girls at the train yard?” I asked. “Did you find out what they were doing there?” I asked this question not just out of curiosity, but because it would give me some insight into Cora and her personality. Was she a risk-taker? A follower?

Mara immediately bristled. “I don’t know why they were there, but I’m sure it was Jordyn’s or Violet’s idea,” she said, pressing her lips tightly together in disapproval. “Cora has never really had a best friend before. The closest thing to it moved away last year. Cora had a very difficult time in school last year. One of her classmates ended up being very nasty. The girl treated Cora horribly, but Cora kept putting up with it until I finally called the school and the girl’s parents.”

Mara sighed. “Maybe I should have let the girls handle it on their own, but I just couldn’t stand seeing her suffer. She’s had a bit of a hard time finding a new group of friends. You know how it is in rural towns.”

Mara waited for me to agree with her, that yes, I understood the intricate, social rituals unique to towns with populations that hovered below a thousand people. I knew better than to respond. If I agreed with her, then I was passing judgment on the community she calls home. If I disagreed, then I was not validating her experiences.

“Tell me about Cora’s friends,” I said instead. “The ones who spent the night at your house.”

“Well, Cora has known Jordyn since kindergarten but they never really played together when they were little. Jordyn’s grandparents run one of the local bars in town. I think my husband went to high school with one of their sons.” She thought for a moment. “Maybe I’m wrong about that. Anyway, Cora and Jordyn didn’t hang out until this year. They never had much in common. Cora is reserved, more shy. Jordyn is loud—” Mara frowned “—has to be the center of attention.”

“And the other girl?” I asked. “Violet?”

Mara’s hand moved to her ear and she yanked on it nervously. “Violet’s new. Her mom works at the gas station, but Cora and Violet have become very good friends. Violet comes over just about every day after school now. Her mom seems kind of rough but Violet’s no trouble at all. She’s a sweet girl.”

“So, you’d say that Cora has had a good school year in relation to peers?” I asked.

“I’d say so,” Mara agreed. “I mean, she is almost a teenager and God knows they are a mystery. But Cora hasn’t mentioned any troubles and I’m sure I would have noticed.”

“Would you like for me to meet Cora now?” I asked. “Does she know I’ve come to see her?”

“I told her that another doctor was going to stop in.” Mara stood and folded her arms across her chest as if chilly. “I thought that maybe you could explain what it is you do.”

“Of course,” I said and followed Mara from the family room, past the nurses’