Gone Missing (Kate Burkholder 4)

grumbles. “ ’Cause I ain’t shot no damn chickens lately.”
    I keep walking.
    At the podium, I set down my mug and scan the room. My eyes land on Mona and her counterpart, Lois, who are seated near the door so they can hear the switchboard and radio.
    “Where’s T.J.?” I ask.
    “I’m here.”
    T.J. appears at the door, looking dapper and fresh in his crisp blue uniform. At twenty-five, he’s my youngest officer and the only rookie in the department. He receives a good bit of teasing, but he’s a good sport and generally serious about his work. When I need someone for overtime, he’s my go-to man.
    “Sorry I’m late, Chief.”
    I nod. “I’ll let it slide since this is—was—your day off.”
    Chuckling, he takes the chair beside Glock.
    I look around the room. “I’m sorry to have called everyone in on such short notice this morning, but I wanted to let you know I’m going to be consulting for BCI for a few days. Apparently, there have been some disappearances in the northeastern part of the state. The reason I’ve been asked to consult is because the missing persons are Amish.”
    A collective sound of surprise sweeps the room. I feel the rise of interest and continue before the questions come. “As of now, the agency doesn’t know if these disappearances are connected, but the speculation is that they are.” I glance at my watch. “I’ll be leaving in a few minutes.”
    I give Glock a pointed look. “You’re in charge while I’m gone.”
    He gives me a two-finger salute.
    “I’ve got my cell and I’m available twenty-four/seven if anyone needs anything.” I survey my department, and a rolling wave of pride sweeps over me. “Try not to shoot anyone while I’m gone.” I smile at Pickles. “That includes chickens.”

 
CHAPTER 3
     
    I’m twenty minutes out of Richfield when Tomasetti calls. It’s a good thing the town council approved wireless headsets for the department last month, because I’ve spent much of this trip on the phone. I’ve spoken once with Sheriff Rasmussen, once with Auggie—who apologized for his “inappropriate” comments earlier—and I’ve had four decidedly unpleasant conversations with Kathleen McClanahan. Mona was right: The woman curses with the speed of an auctioneer hawking wares at an estate sale. McClanahan ended the call by threatening to sue me for “roughing up” her little girl and then hanging up on me.
    I catch Tomasetti’s call on the third ring. “I’m almost there,” I say by way of greeting.
    “We’ve got another one,” he says. “Fifteen-year-old female. Happened last night. Local law enforcement called ten minutes ago.”
    “Where?”
    “Buck Creek, a small town about an hour northeast of here.”
    “She’s Amish?”
    “Family searched for her all night.”
    “And they’re just now contacting the police, because they thought they could handle it themselves.” My voice is bone-dry.
    “See? I knew you’d be a benefit to the case.”
    “Who’s the vic?”
    Paper rattles on the other end of the line, and I know he’s paging through the file. “Annie King. Parents sent her to a vegetable stand and she never made it home.”
    He pauses and I sense he’s champing at the bit and ready to go—and I’m holding up the show. The first forty-eight hours are the most crucial in terms of solving any case, but that’s particularly true when dealing with a missing child. Two of the kidnappings are cold. This one is fresh; we’re still within that golden period.
    “I’ve got everyone rounded up here,” he tells me. “We’re just going to bring you in. Do the introductions. HR will have a couple of forms for you. Then we’re on our way.”
    “I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
    “I’ll meet you at the door.”
    It’s just after noon when I turn onto Highlander Parkway. I’m not nervous, but an edginess creeps steadily over me as I draw closer to the BCI field office. Like Tomasetti, I’m keenly aware of the ticking clock and anxious to get started. I want to visit the scene and speak to the missing girl’s family. I want to find the girl before something terrible happens—if it hasn’t already.
    I remind myself that I’m only going to be consulting, and I can’t help but wonder what kind of parameters I’ll be working within. I’m hands-on when it comes to my job. How difficult will it be to ride this out in the backseat?
    To complicate matters, there’s also the issue of my relationship with