“Glad I could help out.”
I took one last look around. “Yes, Detective, thanks for letting us follow you over here. We’ll get out of your hair now.”
“I’ll stay in touch.”
As soon as we got in the car, my dad said, “Well, Son, we both know this isn’t a positive turn of events.”
* * * *
As soon as I arrived back in my hotel room after dropping Dad off at his car, I called Nathan Lockett.
Whenever something significant turned up in an investigation, Lockett preferred to receive the news in a chronological accounting, so after we greeted each other, I said, “The reason I’m calling you a little earlier than I anticipated is because there’s been a significant development in Lizzie’s disappearance.”
“Do I need to take notes?”
“Yes, that might be a good idea.”
I began by telling him what Nina had discovered on Lizzie’s computer last night. Once he’d gotten over the shock of hearing Lizzie had actually gone to see Judge Woodard, I moved on to the page of doodles I’d found in Lizzie’s apartment, which I told him seemed to indicate she was either talking on the phone to the judge on Monday morning, or she was talking to someone about the judge.
Then, I told him about her car being seen in Centralia on Monday afternoon, and what I’d discovered after paying a visit to the Centralia courthouse today.
“Did anyone see the judge and Lizzie together in Centralia?” he asked.
“No. In fact, no one in town remembered seeing Lizzie at all. This is just speculation on my part, but I’m guessing she and the judge agreed to meet in Centralia, then one of them texted the other, and they drove to a different location.”
“Yes, that sounds plausible, but are you certain Lizzie wasn’t just following the judge? Maybe he had no idea she was in Centralia.”
“At this point, there’s no way of knowing exactly what was going on with her, but since she went missing within a few hours of being in Centralia and the judge was at the same location at the same time, it’s hard to deny the connection between the two.”
“Yes, I’d say there has to be a connection there. This is big, Mylas.”
“But, here’s the thing, Nathan. Finding out the judge and Lizzie were in Centralia at the same time isn’t the significant development I was calling you about. While I was in Centralia, I ran into the detectives working her case, and they informed me Lizzie’s vehicle was found in Finger Lakes State Park today.”
“They found her Lexus?”
“That’s right. I was able to see it myself. I’ll send you a couple of the pictures I took. It was parked at a campsite near one of the hiking trails, but there wasn’t any sign of Lizzie, and there were no personal items found inside her car.”
Lockett didn’t say anything for several seconds.
Finally, he cleared his throat and said, “Giving the senator this news won’t be easy.”
“I know, Nathan, and I’m sorry you have to do it.”
“I don’t know, Mylas. He’s been fairly optimistic up to this point, but now . . . well, I’m not sure what his reaction will be.”
“Maybe someone picked her up, and she just left her car there temporarily, but since it’s been two days, that still isn’t good news.”
“Since you haven’t mentioned it, am I correct in thinking you haven’t said anything to the detectives about the possibility she was in Centralia to meet up with Judge Woodard?”
“No, I haven’t said anything to them about Judge Woodard. However, I know they questioned both Dr. Richards and Dr. Dawson, so they’re aware Lizzie was writing an article about the judge. It may just be a matter of time before they decide to interview him.”
“Let me speak to Senator Allen first, but he may want you to make contact with Judge Woodard before you do anything else.”
“That’s exactly what I was thinking, but I won’t go see the judge by myself. In fact, I was considering having Charlie Hayes fly into Columbia so we could pay the judge a visit together.”
“I think that’s an excellent idea. I just spoke to Charlie thirty minutes ago. He came by our offices this morning, and I think he’s over in Nina’s office right now. I’ll have him call you.”
“Nina said she was going to bring him up to speed on our procedures and have him go over Judge Woodard’s casebook.”
“Personally, I like the guy, and I think he’ll fit in with the R & I Group just fine, although he does have some youthful enthusiasm about him.” He chuckled. “He may keep you on your toes.”
“Don’t worry, Nathan. I’m committed to working with the guy.”
“Do you have anything else before I go talk to Senator Allen?”
“No, but I’ll stick around the hotel in case the senator wants to speak with me directly.”
“Since they found Lizzie’s car, he may want to bring in the FBI. He’s mentioned several times she could have been kidnapped.”
“He told me the same thing.”
“Any thoughts on that possibility?”
“There’s no evidence for it. To me, there’s only one possibility.”
“What would that be?”
“Ask me that after I’ve spoken with Judge Woodard.”
Chapter 21
After ordering lunch from room service, I pulled up the website for Finger Lakes State Park and studied a map of the entire area, paying particular attention to where Lizzie’s car was found in relation to the rest of the park.
It was obvious the campsite was in a section of the park where traffic was at a minimum. The nearest lake was more than two miles away, and the hiking trail was a mile away.
I had no idea where Senator Allen’s lake house was located, and I wasn’t sure how relevant it was since he’d sold it last year, but I was still curious about it, so when Lockett called me back to let me know Senator Allen agreed with me that it was time to have a talk with Judge Woodard, I asked Lockett about the senator’s lake house.
“Just out of curiosity, Nathan, where was Senator Allen’s lake house located? I remember he used to talk about enjoying a view of the lake from his back porch, so I assume it was on one of the lakes.”
“Yes, it was on Rocky Fork Lake. I don’t know the address, but I can get that for you. Are you thinking that could be the reason Lizzie was at Finger Lakes?”
“Right now, all I’m doing is grasping at straws. If I decide it’s important, I’ll get the address from Nina.”
“Speaking of Nina, I just stopped by her office and told Charlie to call you. The senator definitely wants you to take him with you when you go see the judge tomorrow, but before you head to Jefferson City, give me a call. We need to discuss a few things before your visit.”
“Will do.”
I heard a note of caution in Lockett’s voice when he mentioned we needed to discuss a few things, so I figured he wanted to make sure I wasn’t planning to go into the judge’s chambers tomorrow with guns blazing.
Nathan Lockett was someone who preferred the subtle approach.
I wasn’t opposed to the subtle approach, but on certain occasions, a blazing gun was useful for making sure the subject knew the questions being asked were to be answered truthfully—as in the truth and nothing but the truth.
Personally, I didn’t think the subtle approach would make much of an impression on Judge Cameron Woodard.
* * * *
Five minutes after I disconnected the call from Lockett, I heard from Charlie Hayes.
“Hey, Mylas, I heard you wanted me to call you. How’s it going in Columbia?”
“Well, things could be a little better. I’m not sure how much Nathan told you about the situation here but—”
“Oh, I think I’m up to speed. Nina filled me in on what’s been going on with the senator’s daughter, and I’ve just been going through Judge Woodard’s casebook, so I’m getting familiar with what you’re working on in that area too.”
“Good. I need to update Nina on wh
at’s happened today with Lizzie Allen, so if you want to put me on speakerphone, I won’t have to go over things twice.”
“Sure thing. Just a second.”
Nina said, “Hi, Mylas. What did you find out when you drove up to Centralia today?”
“I found out plenty.”
I updated Nina and Charlie about what I’d discovered in Centralia, and then when I began telling them about receiving the news Lizzie’s vehicle had been located at a campsite in Finger Lakes State Park, Charlie interrupted me.
“You mean the detectives allowed you to follow them over to the campsite? Frankly, I’m surprised to hear that.”
“Well, I realize that was a little unusual, but my dad was with me, and he’s worked with the CPD for years, so I’m sure that was the reason.”
“Oh, yeah. I forgot your dad used to be a cop. I’m sure that explains it. Cops tend to stick together.”
Nina asked, “What was Lizzie doing at the campsite?”
“I have no idea. Her car was clean. No laptop, phone, camera. Nothing.”
Charlie said, “I’m sure forensics will come up with something. You’ll probably know more in forty-eight hours.”
“Let’s hope so. Any scenario I come up with for what she was doing there doesn’t make sense to me, especially since I’m pretty sure she went to Centralia to meet with Judge Woodard.”
Nina said, “She was probably familiar with Finger Lakes. Her parents used to have a lake house there. You don’t suppose that’s why she was there, do you?”
“I was wondering about that myself. Could you look up the address for their lake house?”
“Sure. It won’t take me but a second. Hang on a minute.”
Charlie said, “Nathan mentioned you might want me to fly into Columbia tomorrow. What’s that about?”
“It’s about Judge Woodard. Whenever I’m investigating a nominee and I come across something questionable in their background, or say one of their colleagues accuses them of wrongdoing, or someone makes insinuations about a moral failure in their past, then I pay the nominee a visit and confront him or her with what I’ve been told.”
“You give them a chance to defend themselves?”
“That’s right. Even if Lizzie hadn’t gotten herself involved with the judge in some way, I would have wanted to question him about the rumors concerning his gambling. Now, I also plan to bring up the subject of Lizzie with him and see how he reacts.”
“So you want me there as a witness?”
“That’s right. I don’t ever make one of these visits without backup. Are you available?”
“Oh, yeah. I was planning to fly home tomorrow anyway. I’ve put a deposit down on a townhouse here in D.C., so I need to get back to St. Louis and hire a mover. What time do you want me there?”
“I’m sure you’ve met Jenna, our receptionist. Ask her to make plane reservations for you. It will have to be a morning flight in order for you to make connections into Columbia by midafternoon.”
“Yeah, there’s no direct flight.”
“Just have Jenna text me your arrival time, and I’ll pick you up at the airport.”
“Will you be making an appointment to see the judge?”
“No, I prefer to make this a surprise visit.”
* * * *
Nina came back on the line and gave me the address of Senator Allen’s lake house. As we were discussing where it was located in relation to the campsite where Lizzie had left her car, I noticed Charlie wasn’t saying anything.
I thought perhaps he’d left Nina’s office and gone down the hall to have Jenna make his plane reservations, but suddenly in the middle of my conversation with Nina, I heard him say, “Hey, guys, I think I’ve got something here.”
“I beg your pardon,” Nina said. “I’m not a guy.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, Nina. I apologize. I guess I got a little excited.”
“Apology accepted.”
“Mylas, when you mentioned the senator’s lake house, I thought I remembered seeing something in Judge Woodard’s financials about some property he owns in the Finger Lakes area. While you and Nina were talking, I took another look at his financial statements. Were you aware he has a lake house there?”
“No, I had no idea. In fact, I don’t remember seeing that.”
Nina said, “I believe I told you several days ago that I’d added some additional material to his casebook files, and you needed to get familiar with it.”
“So why didn’t you bring up anything about the judge’s property yourself?”
“I would have mentioned it as soon as I remembered it.”
Charlie let out a short laugh. “Since I’d just been looking over his financial statements, I’m sure that’s why it was fresh in my mind. You want the address?”
“You better believe it.”
I wrote down the address Charlie gave me. “This puts a whole new spin on things,” I said. “What if the judge told Lizzie to follow him over to his lake house from Centralia? It’s only a thirty-minute drive. Maybe that’s where Lizzie is right now.”
Nina said, “That scenario doesn’t explain why she left her car at the campsite.”
“Could there be something romantic going on between the two of them?” Charlie asked.
“Anything’s possible, but he’s thirty years older than she is, and I think his daughter is about Lizzie’s age.”
“It’s been known to happen.”
“Nina, could you work your magic and find out the judge’s schedule for the past four days? Naturally, I’m particularly interested if he’s been away from his office, taken any trips, etc. I’d also like to know where he’ll be tomorrow afternoon.”
“I’m on it.”
“Charlie, I’ll see you in Columbia tomorrow afternoon unless Jenna can’t get you on a flight tomorrow.”
“I’ll be there even if I have to drive all night.”
Lockett was right.
Charlie’s enthusiasm added a new dimension to the R & I Group.
* * * *
I set my phone down beside my laptop while I looked up the address of Judge Woodard’s lake house. A few seconds later, I received a text.
When I glanced over at my phone, thinking it was Nina sending me information about the judge’s schedule, I was surprised to see a text from Whitney.
“I just wanted to say thanks for dinner last night. I also enjoyed the rest of the evening, even though I have to admit it was a little different!”
I immediately texted her back. “I enjoyed it too and thanks for being such a good sport about it.”
She didn’t send a response, so I resumed looking up where the judge’s house was located via the map application on my laptop. I found the house on a winding road near Boulder Lake.
The aerial photographs showed a cabin with a nearby boat dock.
Senator Allen’s former house on Rocky Fork lake was approximately four miles away from the judge’s house, but it was at least ten miles away from where Lizzie’s car was found.
As I was trying to decide whether I should drive back up to Finger Lakes and scope out the judge’s property, the lunch I’d ordered from room service arrived.
At the same time, I received another text message from Whitney.
I quickly got rid of the waiter and read Whitney’s text.
“Anything new on Lizzie’s disappearance?”
Before responding, I took a bite of my cheeseburger and considered how to answer her question. Every time I started to type something, I decided it required too much explanation.
I ended up calling her instead.
“Hi, Mylas,” she answered with a short laugh. “I hope I didn’t interrupt what you were doing.”
“No, I’m sitting here in my hotel room eating a cheeseburger. How did your photo shoot go this morning?”
“Actually, it turned out to be a lot of fun. This baby was all smiles.”
“So does that mean you’re done for the day or is your work just g
etting started?”
“No, I’m done for the day. I won’t start editing the photographs until tomorrow. I was actually trying to psych myself up to do some grocery shopping. Since I hate grocery shopping, I always put it off until the last minute.”
“How would you like to take a ride up to Finger Lakes State Park with me instead?”
“Ah . . . okay. I should warn you, though. I’m not much of a hiker.”
“We won’t be doing any hiking. I just need to scout out a piece of property up there. It shouldn’t take me more than a couple of hours.”
“Is this related to your search for Lizzie Allen?”
“Yes, I’ll tell you what’s new with my investigation when I pick you up. Can you be ready in thirty minutes?”
“I’m ready right now as long as I can wear my jeans.”
After I assured her whatever she had on was fine with me, she gave me her address—240 Sandusky Drive—and I told her I’d be over in a few minutes.
“I’m looking forward to it,” she said.
“I’m looking forward to it too.”
I didn’t know about Whitney, but I meant it.
* * * *
Whitney lived on a tree-lined street on the east side of Columbia. Most of the homes on the block were two-story residences with brick exteriors.
There was a sameness to them that made them appear to have been built by the same builder. However, Whitney’s house was unique because of its extra wide front porch.
She’d decorated the porch with white wicker furniture and forest green cushions, and at the far end of the porch was a wooden swing with a matching forest green cushion.
As I rang the doorbell, I imagined Whitney sitting in the swing, sipping lemonade, and reading a book on a hot summer day.
When she came to the door, she was dressed in a pair of blue jeans, a red t-shirt, and a brown jacket. I thought she looked fabulous.
After she invited me in, she walked over to a table in the foyer and picked up her camera. “I thought I’d take my camera with me and get some shots of the fall colors.”
“You won’t regret it. The colors up there are fantastic right now.”
One Day Gone Page 20
