by Shane Crosby
“You listening to that?”
“Yes.”
“Didn’t the Attorney General have newspaper clippings of missing people?”
“He did.”
“What are the dates on those articles?”
“Eighteen months ago for some of them.”
“Interesting.”
“That is?”
“He’d have information pertaining to that and here’s a news story about the very same thing. And, their saying it’s a common occurrence.”
“I think it’s worth checking out.”
“So do I. Let’s call Trevor.”
“You call him and I’ll put the articles in chronological order. Before you talk to Trevor, you know he’s the homicide cop. He’s not going to look at like you and I. He’ll be more detached about it so prepare yourself.”
“I forgot about that. I’ll call to see what he says.”
“Let me know. I’ll be in the next room.”
Calling Trevor....
“Alvarez.”
“Hey Trev. How’s your knee?”
“Getting better, but not good enough.”
“Give it time.”
“No other choice but to do just that.”
“Hey, bro you remember that lady teacher you told me about? The one who disappeared?”
“Yeah, yeah the one who was on her way to federal prison? What about her?”
“What was her deal? Why was she in trouble?”
“Embezzling money from this non-profit group she volunteered at.”
“Didn’t the parents leave or something?”
“Yes. The family and friends felt that it was foul play, but we could never prove that.”
“Did they leave or disappear? There's a news story up here about someone who was involved in a malpractice suit and now they're missing.”
“So? People go missing all the time. Spend time as a cop you’ll look right on over missing person’s cases. If someone falls off the grid like that more than likely they're dead. We just wait for someone to call in a dead body found somewhere. And, what's the difference between left and disappeared? Still equals gone. People will always buy into conspiracy theories, especially the family.”
“Damn man, you weren't raised to be so cold like that. You need to stop being a police officer.”
“Maybe, because when you see it every day you become immune to it. You can't investigate every family member or friend’s paranoia.”
“No definitely. You need to get another damn career. Jesus, man. Maybe not everyone but at least some that maybe real cases.”
“Dub, you’ll find out real quick to, just wait for them to wash up on Lake Shore Drive or somewhere in the city. You’ll learn not to waste your time.”
“Nothing really, I just had a hunch. The news said these disappearances were common around here. You need some help for that, Trev. You’re jaded as hell, man.”
“Dub, in a city that size that means nothing. You're wasting your thoughts on a bunch of dead people. Let homicide waste their time and leave the thinking up to them because that's all it is. Spend time as an officer and let me know if you’re able to keep that rosy disposition of yours.”
“Trev, we found something when we met with the Attorney General’s wife. The missing people we think are related.”
“Related how?”
“I don’t know, that’s why I was calling you. When you investigated the girl’s family leaving, did anything stand out?”
“Dub stop wasting your time big brother.”
“Just humor me.”
“Let me see, I think someone said they moved in a white van or something like that. Said, it was odd because it was just a plain white moving van.”
“You didn’t think it odd?”
“Dub, people can use whatever they want to move. You’re reading something into nothing.”
“You're probably right.”
“I know I’m right.”
“All right. I’m out.”
“Love you, bro.”
Don returns to the room...
“I can tell by your face I was right.”
“Our brother is jaded as hell. He’s been an officer too long.”
“I told you. Now what?”
“I say we investigate this. I can’t hurt.”
“I agree. It can’t hurt.”
CHAPTER THIRTY
THE NEXT DAY
PLAYING DETECTIVE
Dub
Up and at ‘em is my motto this morning. Last night, Don and I sorted out the articles regarding people who went missing within the tri-state. We decided to select a few random articles and start with them.
Since Jared isn’t experienced in the art of war, Don and I agreed that he would stay behind to watch over Jared. I’d go over the details of the few cases we selected and return in a few days. If I determined there was something to it, we’d look into this further with the rest of the fellas.
Before I headed out of town, I went by the parent’s house of the first missing young lady. It was in an area called the Highlands.
On my way to their home, when I got near, I understood where I was going. This is what you call the hood, not quite the ghetto. People here still work every day, but they don’t make enough money to live in one of the better neighborhoods in D.C.
The neighborhood was made up of a mix of row houses and detached homes. The house I was looking for was detached, which meant it’s been here a very long time.
When I came to their block, I turned and slowed my speed. As I followed the numbers leading me to my destination, I noticed I was getting inquisitive looks from people walking by. I found the house, parked on the street, got out and knocked on the door. I had a bad feeling there won’t be anyone home. Not just that, but it looked like no one has lived here in a very long time. The grass hadn’t been cut in years. The paint on the steps was cracked and peeling. One of the shingles had fallen off. The tree limbs had grown over the roof. It looked like a house in a scary movie. I had still planned to knock on the door, but before I could put one foot on the first step, someone called out to me.
“Woohoo, Mr. Hello, Mr.”
“Hello.”
“Hello to you. Is there something I can help you with?”
“Uh, well, maybe you can. I was wondering if anyone lives here?”
With a slight smile she said, “Well, look at it, that should tell you right there.”
“Yes, ma’am I was hopeful. Do you know when they left? I’ve been out of the country I’m in the Marines.”
“Oh, you must be her nephew, Tony.”
“Why yes, ma’am I am. I didn’t know they were moving.”
“No one did.”
“Come again.”
“No one knew they were moving. It was the strangest thing, too. Caroline and I used to walk every morning for the past twenty years. She never said anything about moving. I walked with her the morning before.”
“Before what, ma’am?”
“Before they disappeared. No one will listen to me.”
“About?”
“Have you been listening?”
“Yes ma’am. Sorry, are you saying they just up and disappeared one day?”
“See, you don’t believe me either. Yes, that’s exactly what I’m telling you. The next morning, I knocked on the door and no one came. The next day, I saw movers coming to move all of their furniture.”
“You can get movers to relocate you without being home.”
“I know that, too, but that’s not what happened here. We’ve been friends twenty years living side by side. Every morning we exercised even when we worked, there was nothing we didn’t tell each other than magically she disappears. They didn’t even put the house up for sale.”
“Did you go to the police?”
“Yes, but they just dismissed me as some crazy old woman. It’s tough getting old. People forget about you even your own children.”
“If you were my m
om I’d never forget about you.”
“Awww, thank you baby.”
“What about their family?”
“They had one daughter and she’s missing. I’m telling you something strange is going on here.”
“I believe you. It’s even stranger that the police haven’t investigated.”
“I told my husband the same thing. I hope you’ll do something to find them.”
“I’ll do what I can. What’s your name?”
“Claudine Johnson.”
She stuck her hand out, I retuned the gesture.
“Nice to meet you.”
“Ms. Claudine, thank you for keeping me company this morning. If I find anything interesting, I’ll let you know.”
“That’s all I can ask.”
“Have a good one.”
“You too.”
“Wait, I want to give you something. One second, I’ll be right back.”
I waited outside for her to return. It took several more minutes and she was back.
“Gosh, I need to go back to jogging, that little walk tired me out. Here you go.”
“What’s this?”
“It’s a video. I watch that show on TV. They said be alter and if you see something strange alert the police. My grandson says forget the police, just press record and that’s what I did.”
“Did you give this to the police?”
“No. They weren’t interested in hearing what I had to say because they were adults. Felt like they could go anywhere they pleased without permission.”
“Technically that’s true, but people usually let their loved ones and closest friends know that they’re leaving.”
“See, I said the same thing to the dumb ass police. They ain’t believe me.”
“Well, I believe you. I promise, I’ll look at this and see what I can do.”
“Thank you. I know something’s going on here, this just ain’t normal what’s happening.”
“What’s that?”
“The disappearances. That’s right, you’ve been gone. Well, there’s been people missing all over this damn tri-state. The news just picked up on it six months ago, but I know personally three people that have loved ones just poof, gone.”
“You’re right, that’s not normal.”
“Glad someone believes my ass. I wish you were contagious.”
I laughed. “I’ll look into it. I’ll get back to you. It may take a while, but I promise I’ll follow up.”
“Thank you again son, that’s all an old woman can ask.”
I said good-bye to Ms. Claudine once more and thanked her for the video. I got in my rental, studied the list Don and I put together, put the address in my GPS and I was off to my next address.
Maryland
Dub
When I arrived at my next stop. I thought I was experiencing the effects of a time warp because this house looked just like the one I just left. Unkept yard, house falling apart, looks like a house you use as a prop for a movie about a haunted house. I didn’t get out; this was a rerun. I decided to drive to Delaware to visit the next address.
When I drove up to the house, same rerun, but this time I decided to get out. There was a difference with this particular house. It was the neighborhood. It was nice. The yards were well kept, that’s why this one stuck out so badly. They had garages and all of the houses were split level. The cars in this neighborhood were the top of the line Cadillacs, Escalades, Navigators and it looked like every house within a one mile radius had a mid-level RAV made by Lexus, BMW or Mercedes. This house certainly didn’t fit this picture, but I walked up the stairs and knocked on the door. The curtains were opened slightly so I got out to look inside. It was completely empty. Once upon a time, I imagined this room was full of life and it held all the beautiful trappings a life like this comes with. Now, it’s just an empty room in a structure that used to be a home.
I wasn’t going to find anything out from this residence so I decided to move onto another. I turned to leave and as luck would have it, I’d attracted the attention of the neighbors.
“Hi Mr. Can we help you?”
“Actually, maybe you can. Do you know when the Steins will be returning?”
They looked at each other with confusion, as if I was speaking another language and they were trying to figure out what I was saying.
“Returning?”
“Yes. Did you see what time they left?”
“Sir, I’m sorry. They’ve been gone for months.”
“Months? Why did they leave? Do you know?”
“No one knows. They had a son who was a meth addict. He burglarized every home on this block.”
“I, for one, was sick of his thieving ass and was glad when he was arrested.”
“Me too. They always protected him.”
“Paid a fortune to keep him out of jail.”
“But this last time, the police took him and we had peace for a couple of years without him.”
“Marge and Ben raised hell with the police.”
“Sure did. They harassed the police the mayor governor every and any damn body got a letter about that trifling ass son of theirs.”
“Then one day about seven or eight months ago they were out here one morning and the next we didn’t see them again.”
“Yep, I thought they went on vacation.”
“Well, I say good damn riddance to the entire dysfunctional ass family. Kept this block behind locked doors worse than a prison. Couldn’t walk your damn dog without locking every door window and crevice so that damn thief of a son of theirs wouldn’t come in and walk off with every damn thing in the house.”
“I know it may seem bad, but I have to agree.”
“Yeah, we have peace now.”
“So, it would be safe to assume you hope they never come back.”
“Very damn safe, yes.”
“Assume all you want baby. Hell yes.”
I laughed a bit. “Well, would you know how they left?”
“No, we don’t.”
“But, I did see someone come move all their furniture out.”
“A moving company?”
“Yes.”
“I saw that van. There were four men who came and moved them.”
“Do you know the name of the company?”
“Sure don’t, baby.”
“Well, thank you ladies for all of your help. If you think of anything please call me here.”
I gave them the number to my throw away phone.
“Okay, we sure will. Take care”
“You, too.”
I got into my car and drove to the next location on my list. When I arrived, guess what? It was much of the same. The neighbors saw a moving company with three to four men moving their furniture. I couldn’t help but wonder, what the hell is going on? Who is this moving company? Why are these people here one minute and gone the next day?
I didn’t drive to the other states as planned. I was under the impression it was going to yield the same results. I checked into a hotel to get some rest before my drive back to D.C. in the morning.
SOMETHING STRANGE IS GOING ON
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Dub
I returned to D.C. early the next morning. I’m not sure what I found during my little excursion, but I do know it left me scratching my head. I knew Don and Jared would be full of questions about my trip and I honestly didn’t know what to tell them. I don’t know what I’ve stumbled upon, but I know it’s something weird.
“What did you find out?”
“I found out something strange is going on in the tri-state.”
“Like what?”
“People disappearing. One day they’re outside planting flowers and the next day they’re gone.”
“That’s only in the movies, maybe they went on vacation.”
“That’s not an option.”
“How do you know?”
“I spoke to the neighbors at two different locations. They’re answers were
the same. They saw them one day and the next they vanished. One lady was friends with her neighbor twenty years and then poof one day she’s gone. Didn’t say anything about vacationing anywhere, just gone.”
“Did you find anything at the houses that might give you a lead?”
“Nothing. Those houses looked like no one lived in them at any time. To be honest, it was spooky as hell.”
“Something spooked you? I should’ve gone with you so I could have documentation of this.”
“It’s not anything to joke about. I’m telling you, I don’t know what it is, but there’s things going on in this city that someone needs to look into.”
“While you were gone, I took a look at those pictures we got from Marylyn Briggs. Take a look.”
“Okay, same old pictures.”
“Look closely. Don’t they remind you of the pictures you see on the news of a war criminal from Hitler’s SS soldiers or something?”
“Now that you mention it, yes, but why does this bother you?”
“Just odd that he would have these. It’s not like they’re a relative.”
“Something else for us to look into. I was given a thumb drive from the lady across the street at one of the houses.”
“What’s on it?’
“Let’s take a look.”
We loaded the drive in Jared’s laptop and loaded the video. She was right. It showed a white van and men going into the house to move their belongings out.
“You see that Don?”
“What?”
“The street lights. Stop the video, go back.”
“Okay.”
“See, those lights? They’re broken. When I was there those lights were fixed. They’re smart.”
“They planned it.”
“Yes. They broke those lights to prevent any nosey neighbor who wanted to play video voyager from getting a good view of them on camera.”
“They did a great job because it’s too dark for us to see their faces.”
“But, what legitimate moving company moves you in a white van, no logo, no company name, no phone number, no advertisement at all?”
“No one.”
“I’m going to steal some words from that detective Trevor and I met with in Phoenix. Fellas looks like we’ve stepped in a large pile of it.”
