Vern harrumphs. “I hope you believe me when I tell you the answer to that is no.”

“Leroy might’ve been on the fast road for a while,” his wife adds, “but, Chief Burkholder, he had no interest in drugs.”

As a cop I know that even if Leroy didn’t partake in drugs himself, the lucrative nature of the business can be a powerful draw. “How long did your son work at Quality Implement?” I ask.

“He started as a stock boy when he was still in high school,” Vern replies. “Worked there up until the day he disappeared. He was always getting Employee of the Month, too. Putting in for overtime. Leroy was a hard worker.”

“Did he ever do any work at any of the local farms? Or did he ever work around livestock?” I ask. “Hogs?”

“Well, as a matter of fact, he worked down at that big hog operation in Coshocton for a few months. Place closed down six or seven years ago.” Vern looks at me oddly. “Why do you ask?”

“Just trying to gather as much background information as possible,” I tell him. “Was he friendly with anyone else who worked at the hog operation?”

“Not that I recall. He didn’t work there long. Didn’t like the conditions.”

I nod. “During those years when he was drinking and running around, did he have any favorite hangouts?”

“That wild place out on the highway.”

“The Brass Rail?”

“That’s the one.”

I nod, letting everything that had been said settle, and then I rise. “I appreciate your time, Mr. and Mrs. Nolt.”

They rise, both of them looking surprised that I’m leaving. “Chief Burkholder, we need to know. Is the body his?”

I meet their gazes head-on and hold them. “Without DNA testing or a match on that surgical plate, I can’t give you a definitive answer yet. I’m sorry; I know the waiting is extremely difficult.”

“We need to know,” Sue whispers. “Please.”

“If I had to guess? I’d say there’s a high probability it’s him,” I say quietly. “There are too many similarities. The broken arm. The timing of his disappearance. His age.” I shrug. “I wish I had a better answer for you.” The words feel pitifully inadequate.

“He is with God.” The old man looks down at his shoes. “Er hot en ewwerflissich lewe gfaahre.” He lived an abundant life.

“Don’t worry, Papa.” His wife pats his shoulder. “Once all the scientific stuff is done, we’ll bring him home.”

Chapter 11

CHAPTER 11