People had gathered at the edge of their lots; some had collected onto the street to watch activity. Beyond them, Wyatt saw a cluster of police vehicles, county SUVs, state police patrol cars, unmarked sedans, deputies, and troopers coming and going around one lot.

Straining to determine what was happening Wyatt saw that the focus was on a unit, and parked next to it was a camper with a fish decal.

“What’s going on?” Wyatt asked. “Is that Fletcher Seaver’s place?”

A woman, her arms sleeved with tattoos, dragged on a cigarette, tapped ash, and turned to him.

“Rumor is police have arrested him.”

“Arrested him? For what?”

“Who are you?” she asked.

Wyatt showed her his press ID.

“A reporter?” She smiled. “Boy, did you get here at the right time.”

“Why? What did they arrest Fletcher Seaver for?”

“Something about that missing college girl from New York.”

CHAPTER 46

Orleans, Northeast Kingdom, Vermont

After finishing inside, McDade and Noble stepped from Fletcher Seaver’s trailer. Relieved to breathe fresh air, they stood on the landing outside the door, looking over their notes.

“We may have something here,” Noble said, keeping his voice low.

“Disturbing.” McDade swiped through the photos she’d taken, then lifted her head. “We need to seal this property, get crime scene people to stand by to process it and the vehicle while we talk to him.”

They’d noticed that Boyer had already left with Fletcher, taking him to Derby, a 15-minute drive. But more state and county units had arrived. Noble directed a trooper and deputy to get tape around the property, as more locals gathered to gawk.

McDade scanned the crowd, stopping cold when she noticed a familiar face. Her stomach tensed.

What’s Ray Wyatt doing here?

Wyatt had not yet seen her.

She turned to Noble, who was sending a text on his phone.

“We’re expediting warrants,” Noble said to her. “Soon as I finish this, we’ll leave for Derby to question Seaver.”

“Sure. Give me a moment, Rod.”

***

Wyatt’s eyes widened slightly when McDade stood before him.

“What the…Jill, what’re you doing here?”

“I only have a second. Over there.” She took him aside to stand between a county and state SUV, which gave them a degree of privacy.

“What’re you doing here, Ray?”

“Like I told you, I’ve got a new job. I’m on assignment, working on the Samantha Moore story.”

“Why?”

“Why? Jill, what’s this? We’re pegging a feature to the six-month anniversary of her unsolved disappearance,” he said. “Now, I’m hearing you arrested Fletcher Seaver, the motel manager’s son. Is he the guy?”

McDade’s jawline pulsed.

“Ray, I can’t tell you anything.”

He looked at her.

“If there’s an arrest in the case, I’m going to report it. That’s my job.”

She bit her bottom lip and shook her head.