Shares the Darkness

Chapter 1

She didn’t come home last night.

Flora Vastine hesitated. She knew Mrs. Kepler as the type of overly protective mother who wouldn’t take kindly to a suggestion her daughter might be sleeping around. Maybe she stayed with a friend, Flora said without specifying gender.

Mrs. Kepler shook her head. She didn’t have an overnight bag or even a toothbrush. Besides, I’m sure Jan would have told me if she was going to do that.

The woman had shown up just as Flora was preparing to leave for her shift. Mrs. Kepler had come down the street in her nightgown and robe, fuzzy slippers on her feet, sans makeup and without even having run a brush through her sleep-knotted gray hair. Obviously, she was distraught and Flora had no choice but to invite her in. Besides, as a police officer, she had a responsibility to those who sought her assistance—no matter how tenuous the situation might seem.

Flora’s father was still at the table, having a second cup of coffee. He looked up in surprise as the two women entered the kitchen. Jan didn’t come home last night. Mrs. Kepler is worried, Flora quickly explained.

Oh, her father said. Of course you’re worried. What can we do to help? Have a seat. Would you like some coffee, Sylvia?

No. Thank you, but no, Mrs. Kepler said, sliding onto a chair next to him. My stomach is acidic enough. Coffee would definitely not help.

Sneaking a quick glance at the clock, Flora saw she was going to be late. Sorry, she said, drawing out her mobile, I’ve got to call in.

Oh, I don’t want you to be late.

It’s okay. I just have to let them know. She made her call, told dispatch she was delayed and would explain on arrival.

Mrs. Kepler drew a hand across her face. I hope I’m not getting you in trouble, Flora.

Flora leaned on a chair on the opposite side of the table. Not a problem. Do you know where Jan was going when she left the house yesterday? Jan Kepler was a high school biology teacher who still lived with her widowed mother. When not working, she helped her friend Peg Peabody conduct birding tours spring and fall. As far as Flora knew, neither woman had a boyfriend.

She had her binoculars and her bag. She didn’t say, but it was obvious she was going birding.

With Miss Peabody?

No. I called Peg last night. She said she hadn’t seen Jan since Tuesday.

Does she often go by herself? Bill Vastine asked.

Oh, yes. When she isn’t helping Peg, she loves to go out alone. She says it’s better that way. No crowds of people making noise and scaring off the birds before you can find them.

Dangerous, isn’t it? What if she fell or something?

I’ve said the same thing myself. That’s why I got so worried when she didn’t come home.

Some other dangers came to mind for Flora, but she didn’t mention them. The woman was agitated enough. Did she have her phone?

Yes. At least I didn’t see it at the house.

Did she give any idea where she was going?

No. But probably out to the Preserve. That’s one of her favorite places.

Did you say anything to Fred? Officer Fred Drumheiser was Mrs. Kepler’s next door neighbor and also her brother. While Flora had been a police officer for several years now and proven herself on numerous occasions, some members of the Swatara Creek squad—most notably Fred Drumheiser—still considered her a rookie.

No. I thought of you first, dear, since you and Jan have always been friends.

Though they’d lived on the same street all their lives and gone through school together, Flora had never considered Jan Kepler and herself as friends. Acquaintances. But never friends. Flora asked for a description of what Jan had been wearing, the license number of her car and any other details Mrs. Kepler could provide.

I don’t know the number offhand. I’m sure I can find some record of it at home. But...

All right, then, Flora said, patting the woman’s arm. You go home and look for that and I’ll call you later.

Are you going to do a missing person’s report? her father asked. Or is it too early for that?

Flora shook her head. It’s never too early if there’s reason to think a person may have come to harm. I’m going to confer with Chief Brubaker and see if we can get a search started.

Do you want me to get some guys together? her father asked. He glanced at Mrs. Kepler. We could get started. Some of my friends hunt out there. It might help to have people familiar with the territory.

Let me talk to the chief first, Dad. Then I’ll get back to you, Flora told him. I’ll be in touch later, Mrs. Kepler. You go on home and get some rest. I’m sure everything’s going to be okay. Even as she said this last, Flora had doubts. It was never good to give a person false hopes, even if you thought their worry unwarranted. And what if something really had happened to the woman? Flora didn’t want to jump to conclusions.

* * * *

That’s a damned big tract of woods out there, Aaron Brubaker said, a grave expression clouding his ruddy features.

Better than nine hundred acres, not counting the game lands, Fred Drumheiser said.

Call Finky, Brubaker told the dispatcher, referring to Jim Finkbine, head of the auxiliary police unit organized by his father, Elmer Finkbine, head of the township supervisors. We’re gonna need help to cover all that area.

Why the hell didn’t she tell me? Drumheiser grumbled. I live right next door. I could have started looking last night.

I don’t know, Fred. But we don’t have time to be concerned about that now, Brubaker told him. He turned back to Flora. Did you get the license number?

Yes. I just spoke to Mrs. Kepler. She found it listed with the insurance info.

Do you know what the vehicle looks like?

It’s her dad’s old Jeep, Fred put in. The thing is ancient. Must have two hundred thousand miles on it. But the girl’s nostalgic. Won’t trade it in no matter how many times I suggested she should.

Put out a BOLO on the car, Brubaker ordered dispatch. And tell Finky and his crew to meet us out there.

* * * *

The Preserve, as it was popularly known, was a tract of woodlands and bogs, bisected by Swatara Creek, the portion closest to town owned by Elmer Finkbine and that on the other side of the creek included in state gamelands. The area was popular with local hunters, hikers and birders and the private part coveted by developers and timber harvesters.

It was late March and even Flora, who was not a birder, knew it was too early for the return of most spring species. The day had dawned gray and chill but by the time the searchers assembled the temperature climbed into the high forties. The forest was a mix of deciduous and coniferous trees. There were still patches of snow under some of the evergreens and the ground was muddy everywhere. The willows were a blur of amber along the creek. Poplars were sprouting clusters of trembling leaves and dogwood stems were like streaks of blood against their ochre. Squirrel and chickadees frolicked in the trees overhead.

Did you get a description of what she was wearing, Flora? Brubaker asked.

Best she could recall, Mrs. Kepler thought a charcoal hoodie over a blue plaid shirt and jeans.

Humph, I was hopin’ for something more colorful to stand out against all this damned green in here. Well, we can’t go back and re-dress the girl. Just have to keep our eyes peeled.

There were a number of well-defined trails criss-crossing the expanse of woodland. Convinced it was unlikely Jan Kepler would be found on these trails, Brubaker ordered his searchers to fan out. Broken into two teams, comprised of police, Finkbine’s men and Flora’s father and his friends, the searchers made repeated passes across the expanse of the woodland, shouting the missing woman’s name and blowing whistles in hope of getting her attention in the event she was lying injured somewhere in the vicinity. Despite some grumbling about the mud and clothing being snagged on brush, they moved slowly and carefully, trying to cover as much ground as possible. Corporal Harry Minnich and Officer Brent Taylor, both of whom had worked the night shift, had been called back for town duty and Minnich conferred with Brubaker periodically to let the chief know all was well in the community. Harry, who was Flora’s boyfriend, called her twice, too, for updates on the search.

Near noon, after a call from his son, Elmer Finkbine sent out a truck with lunch for the search team.

That was nice of him, Brubaker commented, accepting a bag lunch from the younger Finkbine.

Jimmy grinned and nodded. I know what you think about him, but the old man haint all bad.

Brubaker reddened. Now, Jim I never...

Finkbine raised a hand and grinned again. Don’t go gettin’ flustered on my account, Aaron. I know he can be a bastard as a boss. I’m just sayin’ there are times when you least expect it, that he does surprise you.

The two sat side by side on a convenient log and gave attention to their sandwiches. Fred Drumheiser, a sandwich in one hand and a styrofoam container of steaming coffee in the other, squatted opposite them. I’m beginning to wonder if this isn’t a waste of time, he said.

Whadya mean?

Fred swung his sandwich in a circle around him. I’m just sayin’, how many times we traipsed around this bush and we haint seen a sign of Jan?

There’s a lot of woods we haint hit yet, Jimmy told him. I hunt out here, so I know how big the place really is. Haven’t even been on the state lands yet.

Jim’s right. Your niece is a tiny thing. She could be down in a gully unconscious and we could walk right by without seeing her.

Fred scowled. If she’s even out here in the first place.

Whadya mean by that?

Fred sighed. Look, I hate to say it, but since Ken died my sister has got real clingy with Jan. She always was over-protective of the girl, but it got worse these last couple years. Jan complained to me about it. When I broached the subject to Sylvia she got pissed. Hasn’t talked to me since—and that’s been months. He exhaled again. That’s probably why she went to Flora instead of me this morning.

So what do you think happened, Fred?

I’m just sayin’, maybe we’re wasting our time. Maybe Jan just got tired of her mom’s naggin’ and took off on her own for a while.

But she gave her mother the impression she was coming out here.

Finkbine chuckled. You always tell your mom what you was gonna do when you didn’t want her to know, Aaron? He turned to Fred. So where do you think she went? You think she got a guy her old lady didn’t know about?

Fred shrugged. Dunno. It could be. She haint that bad lookin’ a girl, you know. She could have got tired of the birds and gone lookin’ for another hobby. If she did come out here, why wasn’t her vehicle out there where we came in?

Maybe she came in from the other end.

Not likely, Fred said, shaking his head.

They were interrupted then by the approach of a small group of people.

Figured you might need more help, Chief, Peg Peabody said. I rounded up as many birders as I could find available.

Thanks, Peg, Brubaker said, rising. I’m sure you and your people know these woods better than us. We were just havin’ a bit of lunch and then we planned on starting again.

We was just discussin’ the possibility she didn’t come out here, Finkbine said.

Peg Peabody wrinkled her forehead and scowled at him. Where else would she have gone?

Fred thought maybe she got herself a boyfriend.

Pshaw! Jan Kepler has better things to do with her time than waste it on a man.

This produced a guffaw from Finkbine and earned him another dark look. Brubaker thought it best to intercede before words to regret were exchanged. How about if you and your crew check out the game lands, Peg? We haint been over there yet.

Fine. She strode off, waving for her people to follow.

That is one harsh old lady, Finkbine said.

I still think we’re wastin’ our time, Fred said.

Well, I’m not ready to give up yet, Brubaker said, stuffing the wrapping from his sandwich into a pocket. Let’s get started again. There’s a lot of bush to cover before it gets dark.

Head down, Finkbine scratched at his butt, then turned to Aaron. Since you got extra help now, whadya say I take my people and start on the lower end?

Brubaker grimaced. Like I told you when we started and you suggested that before, I think it’s better if we utilize as many people as possible in one area, cover the ground thoroughly and not split our resources.

Finkbine tugged his cap down tighter on his head and shrugged. You’re the boss. I’m just afraid it might get dark before we get to the other end. You know Daylight Saving Time doesn’t kick in till this weekend and it can get pitch black out here in the woods once the sun sets.

Brubaker hissed a breath between his teeth. Hopefully we’ll find her before that. If not, we’ll start over in the morning. Harry is checking to see if the Staties can give us more help and, maybe, send out one of those search dogs.

Flora and Ryan Fausnacht had been quietly finishing their lunch and listening on the periphery. Ryan spoke up now. Finky could have a point, Chief. Even after DST, it does get really dark out here after sunset. Last spring, I was fishin’ in the creek and let myself get caught after dark without a flashlight. Had a heck of a time finding my way back to my car.

Rubbing his chin with the back of one hand, Brubaker pondered. Reluctance obvious in his expression, he finally consented to Finkbine’s request and split his team again. I hope this isn’t a mistake, he said.

A half hour later, scuffling through ankle deep leaves, Flora found the missing girl’s knapsack.

Chapter 2

Briar-scratched, bramble-snagged and bone-weary, Flora recuperated with a long hot shower. Finished, she donned sweats and brushed her damp hair as she went downstairs. Her father and Change greeted her in the kitchen. Flora knelt, cuddling and conversing with the excited dog.

Figured you didn’t need the extra work of fixing supper, her dad said. Threw a couple chicken pies and potatoes in the oven.

Thanks, Dad, she said with a grateful smile.

I took Change for a walk, too. So you won’t have to worry about that for a while either.

I don’t know what I’d do without you. She gave him a kiss on the cheek and headed to the fridge for a Coke. Drink in hand, she collapsed onto a chair at the table.

I see by your glum expression you didn’t have any luck finding Jan after I left.

Wearily, she shook her head. I’m going to be seeing trees and brush in my dreams. Those woods aren’t that big. It just doesn’t make sense. She explained about finding the pack. After that I thought it would be no time before we found her. But that was it. That was all we found.

Nothing in the pack to indicate what she was up to?

Flora shook her head. Just the normal stuff she would have carried on her birding excursions. Something must have happened for her to have dropped it. We just don’t have any answers at this point.

As Finkbine had warned, darkness had deterred continuing the search to the far end. Peg Peabody and some others had argued for getting flashlights and continuing on but that idea had been scrubbed out of fear of someone falling and breaking a limb in the muddy and uneven terrain.

You’ll find her, Bill Vastine said.

I just hope it isn’t too late.

Flora’s pessimism continued through the meal. Afterward her father insisted she relax on the sofa while he cleaned up in the kitchen.

* * * *

Harry’s attitude was more optimistic when he called her cell later that night.

Peg’s group only got through part of the gamelands and you guys didn’t cover everything either, he told her. There are some thick woods out there. Fresh growth on the trees and brush. Deep leaf cover on the ground. You said yourself, her knapsack was half-buried and you didn’t see it till you kicked it free.

I was so sure we’d find her after that.

I’ve heard hunters telling all my life how difficult it is sometimes to find a wounded deer—even in the season when most trees are bare. Even in a small area like the Preserve, nature can conceal more than you might think.

I hope you’re right, honey.

If she’s out there, we’ll find her. The Staties have promised two search dogs for tomorrow morning. Aaron said one of the Boy Scout troops is going to pitch in, too.

Flora lay back on her bed. Despite the shower and rest, muscles in her legs ached from the strain of tramping over the rough landscape. Before I found the pack I was almost ready to agree with Fred and think she’d gone somewhere else.

Well, now you know she must be out there. Fortunately, the weather isn’t frigid like it was last month. She’s young and healthy. If she isn’t too bad hurt and we find her...

Oh, God. What if we’re too late, Harry? We...

Think positive, babe. Think positive.

But Harry’s optimism couldn’t obliterate Flora’s fears. Despite her tiredness, it was a long time before sleep came as Flora kept visualizing scenarios of Jan lying in the muck in the darkness, wild animals circling round her, no one responding to her desperate cries for help as the dampness of the night sucked away her strength and will to live.

* * * *

She awoke to the combination of Change licking her face and her ringtone—a Kylie Minogue song she couldn’t get enough