“We’re unofficially engaged. I was going to stay here and work. Then, after we both graduated, we’d get married. That’s how I felt, but on the trip, I sensed that Sam maybe felt otherwise. It was like we were at a crossroads. We were both kind of edgy about our relationship, so things were prickly.”

He explained that he had left the interstate and taken a gravel road because of Leo Barzi’s fascination with the dark history of the region, and to save more money.

“Sam and I argued about leaving the interstate,” Tatum said. “Then we ran out of gas, which made things worse. She was asleep when I left her alone in the truck to get gas. Later, she said that while she waited, a strange vehicle stalked her.”

“Stalked her? How?”

“Waiting and watching from a distance, then driving toward the truck, real close, and driving off.”

“Police know this?”

“Yes.”

Wyatt considered it. He made notes as Tatum recounted getting a ride back, arguing again with Sam, checking into the motel, and her disappearance shortly after.

“But before that, we talked things out, patched things up, and everything was better. She may have been upset, but she was fine after we talked it out. Then she went to the vending machine to get us drinks and that—” he rubbed his chin hard “—was the last time I saw her.”

His eyes filled with tears, and he looked through the window. Then he recounted how he was questioned aggressively multiple times by investigators, and that he’d submitted to a polygraph test before they ruled him out.

“Have they given you any theories?”

“They think she was abducted. Other than that, they’re not telling me anything.”

“Any suspects?”

“I wouldn’t know. All they’ve told me is that they’re working on the case.” He shook his head. “It’s been months.”

“What do you think happened to Sam?”

“I don’t know. It haunts me.” He stared off at nothing. “If I could go back in time, I never would’ve left the interstate. Never.”

Tatum thrust his hands into his hair.

“I am not involved in her disappearance, but I’m guilty because I put her in the situation that led to it. It’s like she walked off the face of the earth.” Tatum’s eyes met Wyatt’s. “You tell me. How could she just vanish?”

CHAPTER 15

Long Island City, New York

“I’m at Island City Locked Storage,” Leo Barzi’s text had said.

Barzi must’ve received a message from Kevin Tatum, Wyatt thought, guiding his Ford Escape along the Long Island Expressway. Earlier that morning, Wyatt had requested an interview with Barzi, but Barzi didn’t respond until minutes after Wyatt had finished talking with Tatum.

The timing was interesting.