by Diane Moody
“I’m sorry to bother you, Peyton, but I didn’t know what else to do. I can’t find Mom. I’ve looked everywhere, and it’s like she’s vanished into thin air. Please call me when you get this.”
He called, but it went straight to voice mail. “Audrey, it’s Peyton. I’m on my way to your house.”
He drove the short distance to Faye’s home, raced up the steps, and barely knocked before throwing the door open.
“Audrey?”
He hustled down the hall, calling her name, wondering where she might have gone. After searching the entire house, he realized Faye’s car wasn’t in the driveway. Maybe Audrey had driven to the shop. He jumped back in his car and rushed to the shop on the square noticing the CLOSED sign on the door as he pulled up front.
The front door was locked though the lights were on inside. He hustled around to the back, hoping the alley entrance might be open. No such luck.
“Audrey, where are you?” he muttered as he returned to the front of the shop. Back on the front sidewalk, he started to place another call to her when Faye’s blue Altima pulled up, its horn honking. Aubrey screeched to a stop in front of him and stepped out all in one motion.
“Peyton, I don’t know what to do!”
He took her in his arms. “It’s gonna be okay. We’ll find her. I promise you we’ll find her.”
“But I’ve looked everywhere and—”
He pulled back to face her. “Okay, take it easy and just start from the beginning. Tell me what happened.”
She struggled to find a calm breath before she could speak.
“After breakfast, I was on a conference call for a couple of hours. Everything is such a mess at the office so there was this mandatory Saturday meeting, and when I finally ended the call, I decided to take a run to clear my head. I was gone around forty-five minutes when I looped back around the square and decided to stop in to see Mom here at the shop. The door was unlocked, the lights were all on, and I kept calling and calling her name. Her purse was in the drawer beneath the worktable in the back area where she always keeps it. Mom never goes anywhere without her purse.
“I thought maybe she’d walked over to Denton’s for a bite to eat, but I knew she would never leave the shop unlocked. Even the shop keys were in their usual place beneath the register. Peyton, I knew something like this would happen! She gets so defensive whenever I try to talk to her about all these strange behaviors, and I keep trying to give her the benefit of the doubt. But I should have done something! And now she’s gone, and I just—”
“All right, Aubrey,” he said, gripping her shoulders firmly. “We’ll sort all of that out once she’s home. But for now, let’s focus on finding her. How long do you think she’s been missing?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t seen her since this morning when she left for work around eight-thirty.”
“Have you asked around town?” he asked quietly. “You mentioned going to Denton’s.”
“No, I was going there when I saw your car here. Should we go?”
“No, I think before we do anything else, we need to call Jeff and get some help. Pull your car into a parking place while I call him.”
While she parked the Altima in the slot beside Peyton’s car, he placed a call to Jeff.
“Hey Peyton.”
“Jeff, we have a problem.”
He passed along the few details Aubrey had given him and asked what they should do.
“I’ll come to you. Where are you?”
“At Faye’s shop.”
“On my way.”
Jeff arrived a few minutes later, just after they’d entered the store.
“Aubrey, I’m sorry you’ve had such a scare, but we’ll find her,” Jeff said calmly. “She can’t have gone far.”
“I hope you’re right,” she said, folding her arms tightly across her chest.
“When you arrived here, did you notice anything unusual?” he asked, looking around. “Anything out of place?”
“No, I don’t think so. Apart from the door being unlocked.”
“The register wasn’t open? Nothing toppled or missing?”
“No, the register was closed. But I didn’t really look around the shop once I realized she wasn’t here.”
“Mind if I do?”
“Please. Whatever you need to do.”
They waited patiently by the front counter, Peyton careful to give her space. When Jeff returned, he said everything looked okay as far as he could tell.
“All right, I need to ask some questions. Any place we could sit down and have a talk?”
“We can go to the back area,” Aubrey said, handing Peyton the keys to lock the front door.
A couple of minutes later, they settled onto some furniture they pulled together in the cluttered back storage area. Jeff asked Aubrey the specifics of when Faye had gone missing, what she was wearing, whether or not she had her cell phone with her, and other pertinent questions. She repeated the information, answering all Jeff’s questions, including a list of everywhere she’d looked as she drove around Braxton.
“Have you tried talking to any of her friends here?”
“I hadn’t thought of that, to be honest.”
“We could start at Denton’s and ask around,” Peyton suggested. “They’ll help us get the word out.”
Jeff nodded. “Good. The more folks who know, the better the chance we have of finding her. Now, is there anything else I need to know?”
“Yes,” she said, looking first toward Peyton, then back at Jeff. She explained Faye’s recent odd behavior that seemed to come and go, asking Peyton to help fill in the blanks.
“How long has this been going on?” Jeff asked.
“I’m not sure, but I noticed it when I first arrived after Dad died.”
“Are you thinking she might have the beginning stages of Alzheimer’s or some form of dementia?”
Aubrey sighed. “I have no idea. I’m so aggravated with myself for not taking it more seriously. If something happens to her, I’ll never forgive myself.”
Peyton reached for her hand. “Let’s just find her first. That’s what’s most important right now.”
“He’s right,” Jeff added. “The priority right now is finding her. I’ll place a call to launch a missing person alert. That immediately notifies the various law enforcement agencies in the middle Tennessee area. If we need to expand the alert, we’ll do that as well. In the meantime, I would suggest you stay put in case she shows up. Or better yet, lock up here and go back to the house, don’t you think?”
“Yes,” Aubrey said. “That’s where she’d expect to find me.”
“Good,” Jeff said. “Once you get there, go ahead and make some calls to spread the word, but make sure you stay there at the house, okay?”
“We will,” Peyton answered.
“One more question, if I may?” Jeff asked.
“Yes?” she said.
“Do you know of anyone who might want to cause harm to your mother? Anyone she’s had problems with?”
She blinked, her eyes widening at the notion. She shook her head adamantly. “No. Absolutely not.”
“I’m sorry, Aubrey, but I had to ask. I’ll head over to the station and call you as soon as the alert is issued.”
“Thanks, Jeff,” Peyton said.
“Oh, and don’t forget to spread the word on social media.”
“Good idea,” he answered. “We’ll do that.”
After closing the shop, Peyton walked Aubrey to her car. “I’ve got to stop by the house and let Macy out. She’s been on her own all day, but then I’ll be right there.”
“Just bring her over.” Aubrey said as she climbed into her mother’s car.
“Are you sure?”
She curled her fingers tight on the steering wheel, staring at it. “Yes. She’ll be good company.”
He leaned in and placed his hand over hers on the steering wheel. “Are you okay to drive? You can just leave the car and come with me
.”
“No, I’ll be okay.”
“All right. Then I’ll see you in a few minutes.”
True to his word, Peyton returned with Macy less than ten minutes later. The golden retriever’s wagging tail and sweet demeanor eased the tension around Aubrey’s heart as they settled in the living area. Once Aubrey sat on the sofa, Macy plopped down in front of her and rested her head on the cushion next to Aubrey’s knees.
“Thanks for letting me bring her over,” Peyton said, taking a seat with Macy’s snout between them.
“She’s good medicine,” she said, stroking the dog’s head which sent Macy’s tail thumping against the floor.
“That’s why goldens make such good service dogs. They’re so gentle and attentive.”
Aubrey scratched Macy under her furry chin. “I had a little Yorkie when I was a child. She only weighed five pounds, and I took her everywhere with me. I named her Tickles because she’d thump her hind leg whenever I tickled her rib cage.”
“Sounds like quite the companion.”
“She was, but her barking used to drive Mom nuts. Needless to say they didn’t get along well.”
The memory jolted her heart with a surge of sorrow. Her mom was missing, and she felt utterly powerless to help. She felt the prickling of tears in her eyes, but blinked them away, refusing to crumble. She would stay strong and keep her emotions in check. That had been her code of survival in a work environment dominated by men. To show even a hint of emotion on the job merely handed them fodder for ridicule and accusations of weakness. She’d built a sturdy wall that had served her well all these years, and she wasn’t about to cave in now.
“Hey, how are you holding up?” Peyton asked. “Is there anything I can do for you? Anything you need?”
She ticked off the list as it formed in her mind. “We need to start making some phone calls. Since you have access to the phone numbers for your members, maybe we should start by—”
“We will, in just a moment,” he said, scooting closer to her when Macy curled up at their feet. “But talk to me. What are you thinking about right now? What is your heart telling you?”
She glanced at him briefly, then back at her folded hands on her lap. It took a moment to form a response. “To be honest, I don’t trust my heart. I’m just not that person. I prefer to look at things logically. Organize them in my mind. Set out a plan of action and then follow it.”
“Nothing wrong with that. I guess what I’m really asking is how can I pray for you? Beyond the obvious need of finding Faye, of course.”
She stared across the room at a framed picture of herself taken the day she graduated from college. So young, so naive, ready to climb the ladder of her dreams and show the world how smart she was. Ready to—
“Hello?”
She blinked again, embarrassed. “I’m sorry. I can’t seem to keep my thoughts from wandering. What did you ask me?”
His easy smile put her heart at ease even if it confused her. Peyton was one of the kindest people she’d ever met. So why couldn’t she let him in? Why was it so hard to accept his attentive compassion?
“Look, I don’t want to presume anything here,” he said, “but I hope by now you know you can talk to me. If that would help. Situations like this can totally unravel us, and that can be a little frightening. And if it would help to talk, then I’m here for you.”
She tried to think what to say but couldn’t find the words.
“It’s what I do, you know.”
“Yes, I’m aware of that,” she finally answered, her smile fading almost as soon as it tried to form.
“I have a diploma and everything,” he teased in a whisper.
She studied her hands, avoiding his eyes. “I know, but … I don’t think I want to have that conversation right now. If that’s okay.”
“Of course it’s okay,” he said, taking her hand in his. “The thing is, I’m usually pretty good at helping folks going through rough times, but for some reason, I feel like I’m fumbling the ball with you.”
“No, it’s fine.” She gave him a quick glance as she tucked her hair behind her ear. “It helps just having you here with me.”
“Good. Then I’m glad to be here. Would you allow me to pray for you, Aubrey?”
She drew in an unsteady breath, unable to answer. A simple nod would have to do.
He threaded his fingers through hers and rested them on his knee as he began. He prayed for God to protect Faye from harm wherever she might be, and to give her clarity of mind to seek out help. He asked the Lord to help those who were searching for her, and to fill Aubrey’s heart with “the peace that passes all understanding.”
When he finished, he pulled Aubrey close to his side as she fought the rising tide threatening to undo her. She appreciated his heartfelt prayer and knew he believed every word he’d prayed, even though her own doubts assailed her. She held her breath, fighting to stay strong. Unwilling to give in to the tug yanking at her heart.
Until she could no longer hold it, and her walls came crumbling down.
The years of pent-up tears flooded her soul and streamed from her eyes, as if each and every tear had pulled the plug on her will to fight. She couldn’t have stopped them had she tried. She leaned into his shoulder and let them fall, so grateful for his silent presence and the safe haven he offered her.
When the tears began to subside, he reached for a throw pillow and laid it in his lap, then helped her ease down and lay her head against it. As his arm circled her waist with her hand still in his, she stopped fighting the fatigue and fell sound sleep.
Chapter 28
Within an hour, many of the locals and church members showed up at Faye’s house, bringing food, making coffee, praying together, and forming search teams. Sarah and Gordy sent over some pulled pork and all the trimmings from the diner, along with their love and prayers. Aubrey awakened with the first of the visitors, Matt and Julie, then Gevin and Emily. While the girls kept her company, Matt and Gevin offered to help with the search, coordinating their efforts with Jeff and Cameron. Gevin assisted Matt as they set up a grid and sent out all those who volunteered to help search. With his background in the TBI, Matt also tapped into resources through the bureau to spread a wider circle of alerts.
While no one thought Faye could have wandered off that far, they had to consider all the possibilities. Even the hard ones. Peyton did his best to protect Aubrey from hearing those conversations.
As the hours stretched on and into the night, others came and went, though Julie and Emily kept a constant vigil with Aubrey. All three would doze off now and then, which Peyton knew was a good thing.
As the sun began to rise on Sunday morning, the screen door opened and slapped shut as Matt joined Peyton on the back porch, handing him one of two steaming mugs of coffee.
“I think we can honestly say that Faye isn’t anywhere in Braxton and the surrounding areas,” Matt said, taking the chair beside him. “We’ve covered every inch of this town and the outlying areas. Of course, that’s good news and bad news. Good that we didn’t find her hurt or deceased, but bad because we still don’t know where she is. I talked to Jeff a few minutes ago. He’s setting up a search center at City Hall. That gives us more room, and it’s close to the sheriff’s office.”
“Matt, what is your gut telling you?”
He twisted his neck from one side to the other, the pops sounding in the early morning hush. “It’s just too early to tell. Like I told you last night, our hands are tied since Faye isn’t considered elderly at sixty-five and hasn’t been diagnosed with either dementia or Alzheimer’s, both of which are required to issue a Silver Alert.”
“Hardly seems fair, does it? Too old for an Amber Alert and too young for a Silver.”
“I know. Of course, the thinking behind that is, apart from some kind of mental disability, folks between eighteen and seventy or eighty aren’t usually at risk. Meaning, just because a person can’t be found doesn’t mean foul play.”
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br /> Peyton sipped his coffee and looked up at the sky again, the morning rays of the sun diminishing the glow of the stars he’d seen only moments before.
“How’s Aubrey?” Matt asked.
“She’s pretty rattled. But I can’t thank Julie and Emily enough. They haven’t left her side. It’s strange, isn’t it? How women are such naturals at being empathetic? They don’t know Aubrey that well, and yet they’ve been with her all night.”
“And now they’ll be bonded for life,” Matt added. “I know what you mean. Guys are clueless when it comes to that kind of thing. Must be in the female DNA.”
They chatted a while longer until Peyton checked his watch and stood. “I’d better head home and get ready for church.”
“I completely forgot it’s Sunday,” Matt said, joining him. “Anything I can do to help?”
“Sure. Would you mind preaching for me?”
Matt froze.
“Just kidding,” Peyton said with a smile as he opened the door.
“I think I stopped breathing for a moment there,” he said with a laugh. “Other than preaching, how can I help?”
“If you all don’t mind staying here until I get back after the service, I’d really appreciate that.”
“Consider it done.”
Peyton snapped Macy’s leash on her collar, and they headed home.
Later, after a quick shower and shave at the house, he dressed, then walked over to the church. In the wee hours of the morning, he knew the sermon he had planned to preach wasn’t right. With the extraordinary events over the past couple of weeks, he thanked God for redirecting his thoughts and inspiring him to speak from his heart. Hard to believe it was just two weeks ago when the service was halted by the discovery of Harley’s body in the baptistry. Then there was the spectacle of Harley’s funeral last Sunday. And now Faye Evans had gone missing.
Peyton had his work cut out for him. He had a couple of hours before folks would start showing up. He would need every single minute to put his thoughts together.
