and I have some freedom in our work because we own the business. We can often leave at a moment’s notice. I know others like Jesse can’t because he works as a K-9 officer for the Anchorage Police.”
His plate empty, Robbie sat back, yawning.
Ella chuckled. “I think that’s our cue to go home. It has been a long day.”
Josiah laid money on the bill the waitress had left and rose. “Let’s go. I need to see if David is at the office. We still need to discuss Saturday’s training.”
“I forgot all about that.” Ella made her way to the exit. “Robbie, I guess you’ll be going to work with me tomorrow.”
Robbie perked up. “I will? Neat.”
“I think you’ll find the everyday operations of the Northern Frontier Search and Rescue are boring,” Ella said when they were back in the truck.
Robbie sat next to Buddy. The dog opened his eyes to note who was in the cab, then went back to sleep. “Buddy has the right idea.” He yawned again.
Ella looked sideways at Josiah. “He’ll probably fall asleep on the way home. I would, too, but since I’m driving, I can’t.”
“I can take you two home and even pick you up and take you to work tomorrow, if you’d like. I wouldn’t want you to fall asleep at the wheel.”
“No, I’m fine. I’m tired but not that sleepy.”
At Northern Frontier’s hangar, where the organization’s office was located, Josiah parked next to Ella’s Jeep at the side of the building. While she and Robbie climbed into her car, he headed into the open hangar since he saw David’s SUV inside it.
David emerged from the office and halted when he spied Josiah. “Thanks for the help today.”
“I’m glad both situations ended well. I just brought Ella back to pick up her car. She’s taking Robbie home right now.”
“After you all left the park, Thomas received a report that another boy went missing nearby in a residential area.”
“Taken by this Casey Foster?” Anger festered in Josiah. What if he hadn’t found Robbie?
“Don’t know yet. Thomas promised to let me know. It may turn out to be nothing.”
“Let’s hope. When he calls, make sure he keeps me informed. Is there going to be a search?”
“Maybe. I won’t know until Thomas assesses the situation. If there’s reason to believe foul play, the police may use their K-9 unit and not need any extra help.”
“I know it’s hard to think about this on top of all that’s happened, but what about the training on Saturday? That’s why I came in here, to see when you and I can meet about it.”
“I don’t know how effective I would be right now. Let’s meet tomorrow morning, say eleven?”
“Sounds good.” Weariness finally began to set in as Josiah returned to his truck to drive home.
As he left the airport, his cell rang. When he realized it was Thomas, he pulled to the side of the road to take the call. “David told me there’s another boy missing.”
“No, he was found, but he ran from a man in a vehicle, who was trying to get him into it. The car had been reported stolen earlier—guess where from? An address a few houses down from where Casey Foster lives. I’m at Foster’s house right now. He’s not here. I have a BOLO out on him and the car. We’ll stake this place out and see if he turns up.”
“Have you called Ella yet?”
“No, but I feel like she needs to know Foster hasn’t been found.”
“I’ll swing by her place and tell her. I’d hate for her to hear this over the phone.”
“Are you sure? This has been an extralong day for you.” There was a hint of curiosity in his friend’s voice.
Josiah could imagine the grin on Thomas’s face. He and Jesse were longtime friends who knew about his ex-fiancée. Thomas had even tried to fix him up on a date when he had returned to Anchorage. Josiah had declined the offer. “Yes. I want to make sure Robbie is okay.”
“Sure. See you at Saturday’s training.”
If not before hung in the air for a few seconds before Josiah said goodbye and disconnected the call.
Fifteen minutes later he arrived at Ella’s house and walked up to her porch with Buddy. If Robbie was still awake, he’d want to see his dog. Before he pushed the doorbell, he steeled himself. He hated telling Ella that the police hadn’t found Foster yet, but she needed to know.
When she appeared at the front door, he smiled at the sight of her. She was a beautiful woman who cared about people. And he wanted to know who or what had put that sadness in her eyes.
“Josiah? What brings you by?”
“I heard from Thomas.”
“Come in.” After she closed the door, she swept her arm toward the living room. “I have a feeling I need to sit down to hear what you have to say.”
What was he doing here? Why did he feel he needed to be the one to talk to her? Josiah cleared his throat and proceeded to impart the news concerning the attempt on another boy and the disappearance of Foster.
The color drained from Ella’s face. “So he’s out there looking for his next victim.”
“Everyone is searching for him.”
“Then I’ll pray the police find him soon before another child is terrorized.”
“Where’s Robbie?” Josiah sat across from Ella with Buddy at his feet.
“He went right to bed. Fell asleep on the ride home from the airport.”
“Good. He needs the rest.”
Buddy rose and began growling. Josiah bolted to his feet at the same time Ella did.
She opened her mouth to say something, but a scream reverberated from the back of the house. “It’s Robbie.”
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