Determinant -Guardians of Vesturon [3] by A.M. Hargrove Read Free Book Online Page B

police couldn’t find any evidence of foul play. It was baffling.
    During our last visit, Cat and I both noticed that Maddie had been a bit agitated. She had complained of headaches but the doctors said that was part of her recovery and they would diminish as time went on. I knew something was fishy, but again, the police couldn’t find a trace of anything to indicate what might have happened.
    Nothing from her home was missing, not even any clothing. Everything was intact and the only fingerprints the police located were the nurses’ and Maddie’s. Everyone was downright perplexed by the situation.
    I had even begged Seth to see if he could help since he was connected to the police force.
    “January, this isn’t something you want to hear, but I talked to the detective in charge of Maddie’s case and there isn’t a shred of evidence. They’ve dug into as much as they can, but nothing is missing. I hate to ask you this but are you sure she didn’t…you know, maybe take her own life?” Seth asked one afternoon over the phone.
    “Seth, I know Maddie and she wouldn’t do something like that. And, if on the off chance she did, I know she would’ve left a note or something. She wasn’t depressed like that either. People just don’t disappear into thin air Seth!”
    “Calm down January. Getting all riled up like this won’t help.”
    “Well, someone has to,” I shouted into the phone. “Something’s happened to her and we need to find out. She may need our help. Someone has kidnapped her or something. She didn’t go anywhere. How could she? Her car is still at her house and she can’t walk for cryin’ out loud!”
    “Okay. Look, I’ll keep checking with the detective, but calm down January. You’re being upset won’t help us find her any faster,” he admonished.
    “I suppose you’re right but Cat and I feel like you all are just not doing enough to find her.”
    “Well, I wasn’t going to mention this, but they’ve ruled out kidnapping. Kidnappers always demand a ransom, and there haven’t been any demands at all,” he informed me.
    “What if someone abducted her and they don’t want a ransom. What if they want her dead or something?” My voice had risen again.
    “January, get a hold of yourself. Let me worry about that on this end. I’ll let you know just as soon as something turns up, okay?”
    “You promise?”
    “Have I ever steered you wrong?”
    “No,” I said sullenly. “And Seth...thanks. You know I appreciate you doing this.”
    I hit “end” and kicked the wall.
    “There’s nothing Cat.”
    “How can that be January? What can we do?” Cat asked.
    I shook my head, not knowing what else to say or do. I could hear her thoughts and how upset she was. She wanted to help find Maddie, but didn’t know how.
    Weeks turned into months and Cat’s state of mind deteriorated. I was worried to death about her because she would barely speak to anyone. Cat, why won’t you talk to me? Her wooden responses to my questions were scaring me. The end of the semester was upon us and she hadn’t attended classes for weeks. She had sequestered herself in her room and only did the bare necessities to get by.
    Her parents came to move her home and they both shuddered at her appearance. She was wan and haggard and had lost a great deal of weight. They were as emotionless as the rest of us as they robotically crammed her things into bins and boxes.
    Her dad walked her to the car and stuffed her into the passenger’s seat. I followed them out but I wasn’t sure of what to say. It was awkward for everyone. I reached through the window and squished Cat in a hug as I felt tears tracking down my cheeks. She never even lifted her arms to hug me back.
    “I’ll call you Cat. Take care of yourself,” I sobbed. I looked at her dad as he stepped into her car to drive off, but he gave no indication he even saw me. I stood in the parking lot for a long time staring at the empty parking space before I