Into the Light (The Light, #1)(66)

“Hey, wait.” I had an idea. “Did Bernard ever have you check on anyone for Mindy?”

“Stella . . .”

“Come on. Did he?”

“You know she wasn’t dating anyone when she disappeared.”

I nodded. “I know, but before that. I mean we were tight, but I was super busy when I worked for Preston and Butler. I didn’t know if . . . ? Or did he ever have you investigate her?”

“I wish I could tell you yes. If I had, I would have already given it to the police. Stella, we all want her back. I wouldn’t hold anything like that without sharing it.”

I shrugged. “It was worth a try. Thanks, Foster. Go find Bernard some more stories and stop worrying about Dylan.”

“Yes, ma’am. Bye.” The line went dead.

I took a deep breath. I wasn’t sure Mindy’s disappearance would ever get easier, not as long as I didn’t know. The thought of identifying her came back. I scrolled through my contacts until I found Tracy Howell, and I hit “Call.”

“Charlotte, so nice of you to call.”

I snickered. “I only do it because I love my new name. It’s like I have this whole dual personality thing happening.” After the first time she’d called me that, I’d learned that Charlotte was her sister. She’d recently spoken to her and it was the first name that had popped into her head.

“I was going to call you.”

“You were? Is it about Min—”

“No,” she interrupted. “No, this was about something else. Could I call you back tonight? Will you be free?”

“I can be. Give me a time.”

“How about six?”

“Sounds good, bye.” It was funny how even a glimmer of hope could make my body tingle with anticipation. I couldn’t wait to find out what she had to say. I looked at the corner of my screen. Damn, it was after one and I’d forgotten all about lunch. Grabbing my purse and phone, I logged off my computer and walked toward Bernard’s office, but before I reached the door I made myself stop and take a deep breath. I didn’t care if he was being nice. Having Dylan investigated was definitely a violation of my privacy. Another deep breath. I walked to his door.

“Bernard, I’m heading . . .” His office was empty. So I grabbed a Post-it from his desk and wrote him a note:



Bernard, Grabbing lunch and going to stake out a church for a couple hours. If you need me, call. Stella.



On the corner diagonally across from The Light was a burned-out house, its driveway blocked by an overgrown tree with saplings all around. I pulled my car behind the foliage and sat. In another few weeks this wouldn’t work, the leaves would be gone. As it was they were various shades of orange and red and doing a great job of hiding my gray car. Unfortunately, they also blocked my vision, seriously limiting my view of the church and totally blocking my view of the old school building. Before I’d parked, I’d driven around the old school twice. While there still wasn’t any indication that it was being used, I did see an alcove that I hadn’t noticed before. It faced toward Glendale Avenue, but what lay beyond was hidden inside. No matter how slow I drove, I couldn’t see if there was an actual door. My curiosity was building. Since this wasn’t the door I’d noticed with the chain and lock, and based on where I’d seen the women cross, it would be the only place they could have entered.

I looked for a worn path in the overgrown grass, but I didn’t find one. There was a cracked sidewalk that would hide footprints. I was sure Bernard wouldn’t appreciate my postponing this research until I could see tracks in the snow.

The streets weren’t as empty as they’d been the last time I was here. I watched the occasional man or woman walk across the intersection, but no one went into or out of The Light. I knew Dylan would be mad if he knew I was there, but that didn’t stop me. I’d driven to my apartment from WCJB and grabbed a bite to eat. There I’d developed a plan. I’d run. It didn’t matter that I’d gone five miles this morning; a woman jogging along the streets would be less conspicuous than one walking, especially one with a thousand-dollar camera.

After one more look around, I eased myself from my car into the autumn air. The afternoon sun had raised the temperature considerably since my morning run, yet again I wore long tight running pants and a long-sleeved T. Putting my purse in the trunk of my car with my camera, I grabbed my keys and phone. With my phone in hand, I hit my camera app and stretched, all the while watching for anyone.

Taking a deep breath, I headed east.

While driving I’d noticed a small park about a half a block past The Light. I started running toward it. The dilapidated surface of the road required my attention as I evened my strides. The last thing I wanted was a twisted ankle during my reconnaissance mission. I slowed as I neared the gate that I presumed the women had entered. There was a rust-free chain holding it closed. I snapped a picture. I’d need to compare it to the pictures I’d taken last time, but I didn’t remember the lock being there. Without getting through the fence, there was no way I could be sure there was a door in the alcove.

As I snapped the picture, I noticed the same SUV I’d seen before turn onto Second Avenue and head toward me. I moved to the side of the street, placed the phone to my ear, and continued to run. Keeping my head down, I watched as the SUV eased into the same parking lot as before. When I turned into the park, I stopped and watched through the colorful bushes. This time four men got out of the SUV. Damn, I want my Nikon.