Chapter 4 - Daniel Was Missing From Camp
Laura called police first.
Not because Daniel had committed a crime.
Because he was vulnerable, missing from his usual location, and possibly
ill.
Then she went with Evan and Sal to the creek.
They did not let Evan search alone.
The camp sat beneath a highway overpass beyond a muddy trail.
Laura finally understood the torn sleeves.
Branches caught at clothing.
The slope was slippery.
The place was unsafe for a thirteen-year-old traveling alone.
Daniel’s tent was empty.
His blanket remained.
So did a battered photograph of Michael and Daniel as teenagers.
A man named Curtis from a nearby tent recognized Laura.
“You’re Mike’s wife.”
Laura froze.
Daniel had talked about her.
Curtis said Daniel left two nights earlier after a man came looking for
him.
“What man?”
“Nice coat. Expensive shoes.”
Daniel became frightened.
He packed almost nothing.
Before leaving, he gave Curtis a message.
“If the kid comes, tell him I’m sorry.”
Laura felt Evan grab her hand.
Then Curtis added:
“The guy kept asking Daniel about some money Mike left.”
Laura turned.
“What money?”
Curtis shrugged.
Daniel never explained.
On the walk back, Evan remembered something.
A month earlier, Daniel had asked whether Laura ever received money from
Michael’s old business.
Laura stopped.
Michael had owned a small landscaping company with a partner, Victor
Hale.
After Michael died, Victor said the business had debts.
There was almost nothing to distribute.
Laura had believed him.
She had been grieving.
She signed documents.
Closed accounts.
Moved on.
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Now, for the first time, she wondered whether Daniel had disappeared
because of more than guilt.
