Free The Promise by Patrick Hurley Page A

concrete proof that Verna Oden was a major player in The Promise, but now she has her suspicions she may very well be.
     
                  "Well, if you’re looking for someone to count on," responds Elie, "You’re looking at the right person!" 
     
    Verna smiles, "I think you’re going to fit in here just fine!" 
     
                  With that, Elie smiles sweetly at her and the new roommates walk out the door.
     
     
     
    Chapter Eleven--justin Shaw
     
                  Saturday dawned in Athens and it was unbearably muggy and damp, even at 7:00 a.m.
     
    Chief Parker and Detective Gallagher were staring at their coffee cups and wondering aloud about any new possibilities of Allison’s disappearance.
     
    It had been four days since she was last seen and statistically things were grim; when someone is abducted they are killed within three hours in 76% of the cases.
     
    The hope, therefore, had been that Ms. Taylor was not abducted. The preferred belief was that she either orchestrated her own disappearance alone or with someone else or had run off with her boyfriend, Justin Shaw.
     
    It was this tack that the two men focused on. If the boyfriend was somehow involved in a non-violent way; it would overcome the tragedy of this case and make for a happy ending.
     
    So, they called the young Mr. Shaw and were waiting for his arrival that morning to have him write out a statement. Hopefully, it would reveal something that the case needed, a solution.
     
                  Gallagher smiled wryly as he took another sip of coffee,
     
    “Justin Shaw has not been in for an interview yet. He sounded calm over the phone when I called him in, overly calm.”
     
    Parker laughed, “That could mean only two things, that he’s innocent or guilty.”
     
    The detective smirked, “I think we have him narrowed down now. I vote for guilty. Let’s arrest him and end this travesty!”
     
    Parker smiled, “If only it were that easy. But, I don’t think he’s our boy.
     
    He is cocky, yes. But, he has every right to be. He was a three-sport athlete in high school, is working on a pre-law course of study and was voted into, ‘Who’s Who in America.’
     
    He could probably have his pick of any girl in Georgia for the weekend or the rest of his life for that matter. And, from what I have observed of him, he is relaxed, low-key, self-assured and very charming.
     
    I don’t think he’s the murderous type, though. That doesn’t mean he had nothing to do with Allison’s disappearance.”
     
                  Gallagher’s eyes narrowed at his boss, “Don’t let his accomplishments fool you, chief. We’ve been down that celebrity road before. I want to talk to him as one man to another and see what he has to say about Allison, her vanishing and life in general.
     
    I have a lot of questions for him. Until I process his answers, I don’t trust him or anyone who knew that girl one iota. Not one scintilla of one iota.”
     
    Chief Parker smirked, “Young Shaw has his work cut out with you, Michael.”
     
                  There was a sharp rap on the door as one of the policemen poked his head in and announced, ”Shaw is here, sir. Should I send him in?”
     
    Chief Parker nodded his assent and in walked a very good-looking and poised young man.
     
    His athleticism showed in his body language. Gallagher was impressed by the boy’s carriage, “ This kid has good  breeding,” Gallagher thought to himself.
     
    He steeled himself for the upcoming interview. This may be a challenge.
     
                  The chief extended his hand to Justin, “Mr. Shaw, I’m Chief Parker, nice to meet you. Thanks for coming down.”
     
    The young man smiled confidently, “I need to come down. I want to do everything I can to bring Allison back safely and in good health. I think the world of her. I would never want to see her hurt in any