Broken Souls ... by Annay Dawson
Chapter 26
The office was going to be busy today but Jordan seemed to be just going through the motions. She put the coffee on and then as the doctors started to wander in she would hand them their schedule. It wasn't until Dr. McCoy came in that she started to fidget. Taking his schedule and cup of coffee to his office she saw that he was already reading a file, the one he kept in his desk locked away. She set down the coffee and schedule on the desk and then just stood there wringing her hands. She wanted to talk to him before her father got here. It took a couple of minutes before he glanced up.
"Something wrong Jordan?" he closed the file in front of him. She could see that Holden's name was on the tab and she couldn't help thinking about what she had told her father last night. When she had talked with him this morning he was treating this like a missing persons case and less like a lost hiker. Oh he wasn't saying it but she knew. After all the season for hiking was well over and a lot of the trails were closed.
"I need to talk with you about Kari," and she paused.
"Is there a problem? I thought you two were getting along quite well," he motioned for her to sit and then folded his arms on the desk.
"Oh no, she's wonderful, but," and this time Dr. McCoy let her pause, "Yesterday when she didn't come in I kept checking on her. She wasn't on calls and she wasn't at home either," Jordan looked at her fingers.
"That's odd," his voice was low and inquisitive, encouraging her to continue.
"Yah, it got weirder after I had supper with my dad," she didn't have to say who her dad was, he knew. Again he waited patiently, "Later that night, early this morning really, he found her car in the lot by the hiking trails."
"Was she in it?" He was almost afraid to ask. He knew that she hadn't been in yesterday and as far as he knew she wasn't in yet today. Up until about two minutes ago he had been just a bit miffed at her for not checking in.
"No, but they don't know where she is," taking a small stabilizing breath she continued, "Best case scenario is that she went hiking and got lost or hurt." She let her words trail off waiting for what was to come next.
"The worst?" Dr. McCoy didn't need to ask what that was but since she was sitting in his office there was more to it than what she was letting on.
"The worst is that something bad has happened to her," Jordan couldn't bring herself to say the words, any words. Bad was as far as she would go.
"What can I do?" He was pretty sure of what was coming next.
"My Dad will be in to talk with you soon," again she picked at her fingers instead of looking at him, "about Mr. Parker. They were dating."
"That would be normal for any investigation," although it would be anything but normal for him. He could no more talk about what was wrong with Holden than he could about any of his patients. This time he looked at the file, Holden's file, that he had just closed. He had missed his last appointment and that was what had been troubling Dr. McCoy.
"Do you think," and she never finished her sentence.
"What I think is that I can't, no matter what the result of the conversation would be, give out information about a patient's health records without a court order," he pushed the file aside. His phone beeped. After a brief second he put it down, "Jordan go out and bring you Dad in."
Hanging up the phone after not getting an answer, Dr. McCoy looked at the closed file on his desk. It had been two weeks since he had seen or talked with Holden and now he wondered if he should have let it go that long. There wasn't much he could tell Captain Holmes when he had visited with him earlier. He had asked plenty of questions about Kari, and Dr. McCoy had been able to give him quite a bit of information there. He had included the fact that she had been in a relationship that had ended over a year ago when her fiancé had died in a car accident. He had also provided him with the very few contact numbers that Kari had given him.
Captain Holmes had also asked about Holden, especially their relationship. He could truthfully answer that he had no idea that they had had much of a relationship. Sure he had noticed the looks between them the one time but that was about it. Since that one time he had noticed that Kari had been much happier. Did that have to do with Holden? He didn't know.
When Captain Holmes had started to ask more questions about Holden and why he was coming to see him, he had had to keep most of the information to himself. One of the questions when asked had hit home though, and he was now afraid he hadn't hid his reaction well enough. Holmes had wanted to know if Holden had any condition that would make him unstable, dangerous. The answer to that may have been yes, but he couldn't say anything without compromising himself. He tapped the folder unconsciously with his finger. All he did know for certain was that Holden was definitely a suspect and the fact that no one, not even his sister, had been able to get ahold of him was not a good sign.
Holden walked out of the publisher's office smiling and it went all the way down to his bones. For the first time in months he knew what he was doing. He had his focus and drive back. It would feel good to write this series and really let the public know what it was like coming back from Afghanistan, Iraq, or anywhere else that the US deemed it important to send troops. Too many times the public never knew the struggles that these good men faced upon returning to civilian life. And if they did it was only brief news snippets. He knew first hand now; not just from the stories he had heard around the campfire so to say from those that had been deployed more than once or twice. Over the last few months he had struggled with the images that popped into his head and the scars left from the accident both inside and out. Even talking with Dr. McCoy hadn't exercised them. He had made it bearable and that had helped. Dr. McCoy had been in the medical core, had been one of the men deployed at one time. He had fought the demons himself so when Holden had asked his original doctors to go to New Field it had been on the condition that he followed up with Dr. McCoy regularly. The doctor had become a friend, a confidant. He had shown him that he could come back from it.
Until now he had only written about what happened there, and truth be told there was a whole other story that people needed to hear about. His pieces had described the terrors of modern warfare and what it meant to be a solder today but that was where it had stopped. Problem was it didn't stop there. Men and women came back changed, different and no one, no one was addressing that in more than a two minute news segment. Long waits at the VA, minimal health services and even longer more excruciatingly waits for those that didn't have visual wounds.
Tyler had negotiated the terms of the book deal very well, as always. They would serialize some of the pieces over the next year creating hype and then put them together in a book. Holden had wanted the main focus to be on Micky and Fred. After all he had a good relationship with them and they had agreed to that. There were quite a few others he could include. Stories they would want to tell and varying levels of recovery and reintegration with society happening. It was especially important to include those who came back with seemingly no injuries at all. PTSD wasn't something to sweep under the rug. There had been stories of some recovery agencies but again only snippets. He wanted to follow some of the people that had entered those programs. Some of the profits would go to Micky and Fred, some to these other programs. Tyler also negotiated that some of the profits would also go to rehab centers that dealt with the wounded. Holden, of course, would get a fair share for his work on the piece, but it wasn't going to be his normal rate. He figured if he sold his apartment and bought a place in New Field he would do just fine.
There hadn't been much of an argument from the publishers about who was going to do the project. He had the experience, the connections and even though he hated the fact, Tyler pointed it out, he was one of the injured returning home and recovering himself. He didn't cringe this time when Tyler said it though as he thought back to Micky and Fred. He actually felt a small touch of pride for getting this far. He had been there with them; he had told their stories of war with honesty and truth. Now he would just finish what he had started.
"Hey," Holden was shocked out of his deep thought by Tyler, "Something you want to share there?"
"Actually," and he smiled. Tyler saw the start of it and smiled in response. It felt good to see Holden smile again about his writing. For a while Tyler thought it would never happen again. He knew he always had a ready smile for just about anyone, but it hadn't been about his work for a long time now. It had been too long, "I need to tell you thanks. This is just the project I needed." They walked over to the truck.
"Glad I could help," as they climbed in Tyler looked at his watch, "Want to make it a business supper? Jenny's in town and..."
"Think I'll pass. I think I will head back to Addy's and tell her what's up. I kind of left in an emotional state and I don't want her to worry," starting the engine he pulled away from the curb. Tyler had a puzzled look on his face but Holden wasn't about to explain. "She will be beside herself knowing that I will be staying stateside for the next two or more years or more," and even though he was focused on the traffic he felt like things might just work out yet. "Where can I drop you?"
"You know Jenny would love to see you," Holden just shook his head. Jenny would be glad to see him but she really wanted to spend time with Tyler. Jenny and Tyler had been on again off again for the last three years. Currently they were on again and Holden wasn't going to get in the middle of it.
"No, she'd love to see you. She would be happy to have supper with me," Holden was back on the freeway again. Glancing at his watch, if he made good time he could get back to Addy's just before dark being that Tyler's office was just south of Baltimore. He'd forgo going back to his apartment and picking up anything. He had left most of his things at Addy's anyway.
Dropping off Tyler he promised to be in touch soon as he pulled away from the curb. He wanted to get back, he hadn't known how much he was going to miss the day to day life he had created there. It had centered him, had brought the good part of him back to life. If he had to be honest with himself, he could see settling there and building a life. Pulling onto the freeway and fighting with the traffic he headed back for New Field humming a song that Mia and himself often sang together.
Addy had gone home earlier than usual. It had been a blessing that Mia had been able to go over to Daniel's house in one way and curse in another. As it was it had given Addy nothing to do but pace the floor, drink copious amounts of coffee as she tried over and over again to reach Holden, she had even tried Tyler and gotten no answer. It was now after four and she was nearly beside herself with worry. She had sent Cindy home and tried to hide the fact of how worried she really was, but Cindy had known. She almost hadn't left but Addy had insisted. Looking at the offending item on the table, her cell phone, she decided to pick it up once more and try again. It was either that or drink another cup of coffee and she wasn't sure her system could take that.
Glancing at the gas gage Holden silently swore under his breath. He had been hoping to make it all the way home before putting gas in but the traffic had been too heavy and he was going to be chancing it if he continued. Pulling off the road and into the nearest station he saw the time on the bank clock, four ten. He had hoped to be back before Addy and Mia arrived home from school, that was usually around four fifteen or so, but fate wasn't on his side. At least he would be home for supper and he could tell them the good news then. Shoving the hose in the tank he tapped his foot as the gas seemed to slowly dribble through out. The sun was low in the sky for this time of year and without his jacket on he could feel the cold sinking into his bones. He shivered as he removed the hose from the tank even though it wasn't quite full yet. He had enough to get him home, and didn't that sound good.
Thrusting his hand into his pocket to get the keys out his fingers touched his cell. Grabbing it with the keys he pulled it from his pocket as he slid in behind the wheel. Dropping it on the seat he started the truck and pulled out of the station. Reaching down he picked up his phone, about to make a call to Addy and then dropped it back to the seat. He was only about thirty minutes out at most and he would love to surprise them. After all the worry he had caused her over the last few months he couldn't think of anything better to do. If she hadn't made enough food then he'd take them out, a celebration so to speak. With the cell face down he didn't notice it light up again signaling an incoming call.
Addy was staring at the driveway trying to wish Holden home until she finally saw the truck turn into the drive. She had to blink twice before she could believe what she saw. Nearly slamming the cup to the counter she flung the door open and went running outside, down the drive towards his truck.
Holden saw Addy fly out of the house and run straight at his truck. At first he thought it was because she was surprised to see him but one look at her eyes let him know something was wrong. He almost didn't have time as he slammed on the brakes to stop the truck as she ran across the path of the vehicle and grabbed at his door. Mia was no where to be seen. In that few seconds panic chilled his blood. What could have happened in just the few hours he had been gone.
"Holden, Holden," the truck skidded to a stop, the door pulling free of her hand as he threw on the emergency brake and got out.
"Addy, what's wrong?" He took her by the shoulders looking her straight in the eyes.
"Where have you been?" but before he could say anything she continued, "I have been calling and calling you all day long and you haven't answered."
"I was in meetings Ad, but I swear," and that's when it hit him. He must have accidentally put his phone on silent when he grabbed it this morning. Dropping his hands from her shoulders as he reached for his phone. Pulling it from the seat of the truck he noticed the thirty or so calls he had missed today. The latest one being only about ten minutes ago. "What the hell?"
"Oh Holden," it was then that Holden noticed that his little buddy was no where to be found.
"Addy, where is Mia?" this time his eyes were fixed on Addison and his jaw set and tense. Addison's head tilted slightly to the right and her brows wrinkled in confusion.
"At Daniel's," and then it hit her, "Holden she's just fine. Mia's just fine. It's Kari, she's missing." She watched as the color drained from Holden's face. "Honey you need to call the police, they want to talk to you."
"Why?" Fear gripped his being as his voice fought to find it's way out. Even as it escaped his throat it sounded strange and removed.
"Hon they found her car by the hiking trails you two used and they want to talk to you about," and she paused finding it hard to continue without the doubt showing in her eyes.
"They want to know if I had anything to do with it," he could see it in her eyes, she also wasn't sure if he hadn't done something he would regret. At first he felt rage surge threw his veins. How could his own sister think that he could do anything that awful. Then he looked at her face. He saw the uncertainty as well as the gleam of hope that lingered in her eyes. Yes, she couldn't knock the thoughts out of her mind but if pushed she believed in him. It was humbling to know and with that he softened. It hadn't been easy, especially for her. Over the last few months things had gotten easier but when he first arrived he had been a completely changed person. If he had to be honest he might have believed himself capable of something horrible back then as well. A new hurt began to blossom in the pit of his stomach.
"How long has she been missing?" He really didn't have to ask that question. He was pretty sure he knew the answer already.
"Since you left," and there was the damning evidence in everyone's eyes. Except he knew what had really happened, or he hoped he did. He grasped her arms again.
"Have they checked the trails?"
"Yes," she said a bit shaky a mix of fear and curiosity on her face.
"All the trails?" He was becoming more insistent and he watched as the fear overcame the curiosity. "Addy this is really important. I didn't hurt her, I promise, but if she went out on those trails and got hurt she won't be able to survive much longer."
"I think so," curiosity and trust seemed to be winning the battle again, almost, "but I'm not sure. I know they didn't find anything," this time when she stopped he could see tears forming in her eyes.
"Oh Addy, I know I put you through hell but you have to trust me," he could see the battle raging inside her as she spit out her next sentence.
"They're going to drag the lake tomorrow," and that was the straw that broke him.
"Oh God," and he started for the shed at a sprint. There wasn't much daylight left and way too much night to come. If they hadn't checked the closed trail by the pond then it was possible she was still out there needing help. Whether or not she wanted it from him, that's what she was going to get.
"Holden?" Addy yelled after him confusion dripping from her voice.
"Bring me the pack in the coat closet and my heavy coat," he was almost to the shed.
"Holden you have to call Captain Holmes," Addy called after him.
"Call the cops and tell them I'm headed out there," he didn't break his pace at all, "tell them to bring the search teams back out. If she did what I think she did she's in trouble Addy and it doesn't matter how mad she is at me I have to help her." Addy then turned and ran for the kitchen. Five minutes later they were both in the truck and on the way to the carpark.
As he drove the ten minutes to the trails he focused on the road, thought about Kari, and worried about the night she had already spent out in the open. Addy had stayed quiet during the short ride but she had watched him carefully. He hadn't missed her gaze on him. He owed her so much, and she deserved some answers.
"Addy, Kari and I walked the trails, the ones that were still open. She asked about the Bear Head Trail," he made the last right hand turn before getting to the parking lot.
"But that trail is closed until Spring," Addy put a hand out on the dashboard to keep from losing her balance, "It's dangerous this time of year with the freezing and thawing. It's just not safe."
"I think that's the trail she went on," and with a grimace he glanced at her.
"Why?" Holden pulled into the lot, beside the taped off area. They had already towed her car but the reminder was still in place.
"It's the only place she could be," and as he put the parking brake on he heard another car pulling in behind him. Hopping out of the truck he turned to grab his bag and coat. Glancing up to the sky he could see that the sun would be gone within ten minutes. He hated that thought and he began to move faster.
"Holden Parker?" Captain Holmes approached the side of the truck.
"Yes," he turned around while he was putting on his coat.
"I need to ask you a few questions about your relationship with Kari Jackson," Bill Holmes noticed that Holden wasn't really paying any attention to him.
"Ask anything you want, but did you check the Bear Head Trail?" Holden was putting the pack on his back and putting the rope he had gotten out of the shed across his shoulder.
"We have checked the trails and that one is closed. The dogs didn't indicate that she went that way," and moved to try and get his attention.
"That's the one she went on. That trail intersects with one of the ones we have walked a lot so the dogs may have missed it," Holden grabbed the maglite.
"How can you be so sure that that is the way she went?" His gaze was hard.
"Because I have been telling her about it and the beautiful overlooks it has. I promised to take her out there before we had a huge argument," there was pain written all over his face now as if he was reliving it, "Then I left to set up my new contract so I could come back here for good. I planned on doing anything I had to to win her back."
"We will send the dogs back up tomorrow morning to check that trail. It is too late tonight. It's not safe," no matter what he said Holden hadn't stopped getting ready to go up, "It would be crazy to try and go up now."
"And you and I both know if she took that trail she's in trouble," Holden turned to walk away and that was when Holmes placed his hand on his shoulder to stop him.
"It's not safe to go up there now," Holmes voice was a bit more insistent.
"I have to try, and I have what I need to survive the night or until the search team gets to us. I've had plenty of practice," Addy watched as both men stared to square off. She tried placing a calming hand on Holden's forearm.
"I'm afraid you will have to answer a few questions first," he stood almost nose to nose with Holden now and yet the intensity in Holden's eyes almost knocked him over.
"No disrespect intended but either charge me with something or let me go. If she has been out there for over a day now she must be out of supplies or unconscious. Either way I don't want to take any more chances. I owe her that," he stood stock still with every muscle tight. Addy wasn't sure how long they stood there, it felt like hours when it was really only seconds. It was then that she saw something in Holmes' eyes soften. His hand dropped and that was all it took, Holden was off.
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