You've seen what it's like out there." He wiped his cheek with the back of his hand, collecting his thoughts. "We'd still be spread too thin-it wouldn't do any good. "You don't think we should continue searching like before? Covering every direction?" Sergeant Huddle looked at him skeptically. His mother said he was afraid of lightning." And I think he'd want to keep the lightning at his back, too. I don't think a little boy would try to fight the wind-I just think he'd go with it.
"Well, that's where we found the blanket, for one thing, and if he kept heading that way, the wind would be at his back. Like everyone else, Sergeant Huddle knew of Taylor's reputation for tracking-they'd known each other since they were kids. It's just a guess, but I think he was moving to the southeast." "No, but I think I have an idea of which way he headed." "So what's the news? Did you find something?" His cheek had a deep, fresh scratch, partially hidden by splattered mud. Sergeant Huddle turned, his face illuminated by the flashlights. Like Taylor, they'd seen how dark and impenetrable it was out there. Those who'd been searching were soaking wet, covered with mud and scrapes, exhausted, and dejected. People whom Denise had probably never met.
People who'd defied the storm, people who had to work the following day. Craig Sanborn, Rhett Little, Skip Hudson, Mike Cook, Bart Arthur, Mark Shelton. Even at a distance Taylor recognized most of them. Not only had the other searchers returned, but they were now surrounded by those who'd heard about the search through the town grapevine and had come out to help. Quickening his step, Taylor cleared the last of the trees and saw that more than a dozen extra vehicles had arrived-their headlights blazing with the originals. lots of voices, people calling to one another. He also heard voices for the first time since he'd split up with the others. Taylor, meanwhile, was nearing the highway and was struck by how bright it seemed compared with the murky recesses he'd just emerged from. Kyle had been gone for nearly three hours. A mother and son were in trouble.Įven if Denise Holton didn't want to see her-or couldn't because of the injuries-Judy knew she wouldn't be able to sleep if she didn't let her know that people in the town cared about what was going on.Īt midnight the flare once again ignited in the evening sky, like the chiming of a clock. The prospect of driving in the storm didn't frighten her the thought didn't even enter her mind. She pulled on her raincoat, knowing with absolute certainty that the mother needed all the support she could get. Judy knew the little boy must be absolutely terrified-and the mother. Taylor had been in precarious situations his entire life-indeed, he seemed to attract them, even at a young age. Though she didn't know Denise, she was a mother herself and understood fear when children were concerned.
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