Free Darkness on the Edge of Town by J. Carson Black Page A

wrong.  We would never put our own daughter in danger.”
    “I understand that, but it’s important I talk to him.  It’s very likely he doesn’t know Jessica is gone.  Don’t you agree he should know?”
    She nodded reluctantly.  Laura asked for the uncle’s address and phone number, and Linda Parris found it in her address book and copied it on paper from the memo pad stuck to the refrigerator, a flag at the top above the phrase “United We Stand”. 
    Linda moved back to the sink and carefully washed the mixing bowl and set it in the dishwasher.  She stared out the window again.  “We had so many good times.  Last Saturday we spent the morning weeding.  Jessie and her dad went to the Arctic Circle for hamburgers.  She got mine with mustard but not ketchup—she knew I didn’t like ketchup.  That was a great day.”
    She continued to stare out the window.
    Something brushed Laura’s ankles.  She looked down.  A Siamese cat rubbed against her trouser legs.
    Laura was attracted to animals the way some people were attracted to babies.  She hunkered down and stroked the cat.
    “That’s Princess, Jessie’s cat.”  Linda Parris’s voice broke.  “Jessie found her in a Dumpster at the school.  Half-starved, sick.  Her father told her Princess was her responsibility—she couldn’t keep her unless she did everything.  Feed her, clean the catbox, use her allowance to get her spayed…”  She was rambling.
    The cat climbed up into Laura’s arms and onto her shoulder.  It felt natural to Laura; the small vibrating body, the warmth.  Comforting. 
    Holding the cat, she thought of Jessica.  Jessica, who liked Josh Hartnett and Nelly. Jessica, who took such good care of her cat.  Something crumbled in her chest, and tears pricked the corner of her eyes.
    She turned away so the mother couldn’t see and set the cat down.

    * * *

    As Laura left through the front door, she glanced up the street at the roped-off area where the turnouts were.  Officer Noone stood in the road, hands on his waist above his heavy duty belt, the yellow crime scene tape quivering behind him.  When he saw her he waved.  If he was bored by his new duty— waiting for the tire cast to dry—he didn’t show it.
    Buddy appeared from around the corner of the house, where David Parris, Jessica’s father, was hammering away at something. 
    Buddy nodded toward Noone.  “You about done up there?”
    “Might be another half hour.  How’s Mr. Parris?”
    “Wouldn’t talk to me.  We put up three sections of rain gutter, though.”
    “Wouldn’t talk at all?”
    “The only thing he said was, if Cary Statler ever showed his face around here again, he’d kill him.”

    * * *

    As Laura reached the turn-out, Noone said, “They’re almost dry.”
    Beside the metal-framed cast lay a couple of sticks, all that was left of a sampling of twigs, grass and debris Laura had instructed Noone to collect from around the site.  These Laura had used to reinforce the plaster.  Not only would it make the cast stronger, but it would also supply a soil and debris sample for the crime lab.  Laura picked up a stout twig and wrote her initials onto the cast, along with the case number. 
    “I never saw anyone take a tire cast before. It’s pretty interesting,” Noone offered.  “Too bad there weren’t any footprints.”
    It was clear Officer Noone had made the leap from the motorhome sighting on Brewery Gulch to the abduction of Jessica Parris on West Boulevard, concluding that the killer had used a motorhome. 
    “These tracks could belong to anyone.  I wouldn’t get my hopes up if I were you.”
    “But it could be his.”
    “Could be.” Emphasis on the could .  

12

    To business. 
    Musicman wrote: “D—  Your shipment has come in.”
    Immediately , a reply popped up.  DARK MOONDANCER:  Hello, friend.
    Musicman’s fingers flew over the keys. 
    MUSICMAN:  I have that special order you requested.
    DARK MOONDANCER: