Hiding in Ohio by Stephanie Ayers

Author:Stephanie Ayers [Ayers, Stephanie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Fiery Vision Publishing
Published: 2020-07-27T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

I have no idea if my eyes are open or closed. Darkness surrounds me. The cold clings to the marrow of my bones. It won't be much longer now. "I'm here! I'm here!" Am I really screaming or is it all in my head? The silence is deafening.

"Any updates?" Sheriff Brown asked his deputies.

Jim shook his head.

"There's nothing in her belongings that tells us anything new. We went through her car thoroughly and discovered nothing other than that she wears contacts."

"And her medical history?" Todd asked Brandon this time.

He also shook his head. "There is none. If she's seen a doctor here, we have no record of it."

"In two years, Thana Keres never once got sick or needed medical attention?" Todd was flabbergasted. "And outside of Oxley? Have you checked in Toledo? Columbus? Dayton? She came from somewhere. Find out where she came from, and we will find her. Has anyone searched her house? Talked to her neighbors?"

The deputies looked at each other. None of them answered. Shame covered their cheeks.

"No," Jim said.

Todd covered his face with one hand and slapped a piece of paper on the table with the other. Idiots. I work with a bunch of idiots, he thought.

Out loud he said, "That explains why this search warrant still sits on my desk." He stared at the three men who stood gawking in front of him. He said in exasperation, "What are you waiting for? Go!"

The men jumped and rushed from the room. Jim grabbed the warrant on his way out.

"Dave, Bosco, go with them. Those knuckleheads could use an extra hand or two," Todd shouted from the doorway.

Dave and Bosco followed Jim from the station. Thana lived just outside of the small town in a modest one-bedroom apartment. The drive took fifteen minutes with two stop lights. Neighbors poked their faces out their doors as the police cars pulled up to the building. They closed their doors just as quickly as the cops moved past them to the last door on the left.

Jim rapped on the door, not really expecting an answer. Another door opened and an old lady poked her head out.

"Can I help you?" she said. She gathered her robe closer about herself, and a small gray poodle stuck his head out from between her legs.

"We're here on official police business. Do you know Thana Keres well?"

"She stops by with treats for Pepper sometimes."

Pepper barked at the mention of his name, his little stubby tail wagging excitedly.

Jim smiled at the dog and bent down to pet him.

"I see. How long has Ms. Keres lived here?"

"She moved in a couple years ago. She was pretty quiet when she first moved in. Now, sometimes I think she has company. I hear strange noises through the walls."

"Have you seen Ms. Keres in the last three days?"

The old woman thought for a moment. "Three days ago? Hmm. What day was that? Monday? I usually go shopping on Mondays. We left about the same time. She hasn't brought a treat for Pepper this week, though.

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