Harley nodded. One out by Madera Canyon, the other in the San Mateo Mountains. Both found in abandoned mine shafts. She paused, wondering how much more she should volunteer.

To her surprise, the sheriff didnt ask any further questions. He turned to the sergeant again. Phil, can we get her set up somewhere with a little privacy? I was thinking the conference room.

Phils expression made it clear he did not like this idea. The sheriffs voice, however, indicated this was more than just a suggestion.

Its free for the next hour, Phil grudgingly admitted.

The sheriff smiled at Harley. There you go. Right this way.

Harley followed the sheriff down the hall.

Names Luis Santiago, he said.

Harley thought she recognized the name, but she was not sure. Harley Cole. Nice to meet you.

Most of our old case files have been uploaded to the digital database, Santiago explained, but plenty havent been. We just dont have the manpower for it. If youre looking for anything older than the turn of the century, youll have to do your research the old fashioned way.

He opened a door and led her into a room lined floor-to-ceiling with shelves bursting with files. These are all public record, he said, so no need to sign anything out. Just try to keep things organized. This office used to be much worse, believe it or not.

Harley smiled. This is great. Thank you.

Oh, and if you want to check more recent records, theres a computer right there. He pointed at an ancient-looking desktop computer tucked in the corner of the room.

Doesnt take quarters, does it?

Santiago chuckled. Thats not a bad idea. He stepped out into the hall. You need something, you just holler.

Hollerthat was a word Harley hadnt heard in a while. She smiled, deciding this Sheriff Santiago was alright in her book.

As she searched the files, she discovered a number of reports of missing girls in the past decade, all of them around the age of the two victimslate teens, early twenties. There had to be more than a dozen in all, most of them written off as runaways. How many of them might actually be lying dead in abandoned mines all over the state, just waiting to be discovered?

Needing answers, she went looking for Santiago. She found him in the break room, stirring cream into his coffee.

Find anything? he said, his bushy eyebrows rising with good-natured interest.

Plenty of missing girls, Harley answered. Most of them were labeled runaways, but I cant help wondering if that was just a convenient way to ignore their sudden disappearances.

Santiago pressed his lips together regretfully and nodded. Happened a lot under the old administration, he admitted. They were under-staffed and under-funded, to be fair. Some sheriffs turn political to survive, and the hot topic ten years ago was the same as it is todayrace. Not missing girls.