“I had to almost tie Maddie to keep her at home when I drove off. She thinks I’m out having fun without her.” Jerry’s dually truck was beat-up, but that’s what they needed. The fastest way to get people to call the police was to appear slick. “I brought my gun in case you need some more backup.”

“Thanks, but I’m hoping this is a simple conversation,” she said, smiling at his enthusiasm. “Do you know where you’re going?”

“Yeah, Katlin called and gave me directions. I buy stock there a couple times a year.” Jerry handed Lou a hat like his, and the big man sat in the front with him.

She didn’t mind getting in the back with Simon and Remi, but if this was Linda Bender, one of them would have to drive back with her. “Do you have any idea where she might be?”

“The only thing that would keep her out this late is if she’s involved in school sports. It’s wrestling season, and the matches go long sometimes. The kids are out of school right now, but they host some meets to get a whole season in.” Jerry started up the big truck, and the diesel engine was louder than a regular one. “I thought this woman is older.”

“She is, but she’s got two brothers who are excellent wrestlers, if I’m not mistaken.” That had been in Fin’s report about the family. “Let’s drive by the school and see if that’s what’s going on. If this woman runs again, I have no clue when we’ll find her.”

“That’s kind of crazy to give up everything and everyone to run.”

“Think if JC was in danger,” she said of the little boy he and Maddie had adopted.

“I’d run to hell if that’s what it took.”

“That’s what she did, only this is much quainter than hell.” The number of cars in the high school parking lot made her relax a little. Manhunts were only exciting to bounty hunters. “Park over there,” she said, pointing. “We’ll wait and let her go home and take care of her brothers.”

It took another twenty minutes before people started heading for the parking lot. It wasn’t a crowd, but they seemed to split by the school colors they were wearing, and everyone seemed happy. This place reminded her of Haywood—it appeared to be a tight-knit community. The only three people who didn’t look like they belonged hung back and talked only to each other.

“Is that her?” Jerry asked.

“That’s her,” she said. “Wait for her to drive out before pulling out slowly. It’s almost eleven, so she’s heading home. There’s nothing else open.”