Stranger In The Shadows.........Continued Part VII

Trooper David Westmoreland was driving enroute to Lake Shiloh when he picked up his mic. '' Abby, I need you to try calling Mike Havens again.'' Trooper Westmoreland stated to the evening shift dispatcher. '' I'll dial that number again, sir, 1 moment.'' Abby Lennox said.'' He's on the line, sir.'' '' Put him through Abby.'' '' Hello? David?'' '' Yes, Mike I need you to meet me up at Lake Shiloh, I'm enroute there, now, we need to check on something there. I'll explain it to you later.'' There was silence. '' Mike you still there?'' '' Yes,.... it's .....Amy isn't it?'' '' We don't know that Mike, we want to check out the area.'' '' Sure, David, I'll be there, give me 30 minutes, I'll call Jimmy & Shaun.'' '' Sure thing, I'll see you up there.'' The line was disconnected. '' Who was that Mike?'' Patti asked.'' It was nothing, Pat, go back to sleep, dear.'' Mike did not want to alarm Patti, perhaps this was nothing..., maybe another false lead as they had been for the past 2 weeks. It would soon be a month now, since Amy's disappearance. Would they ever find out what happened? Patti had lost weight, her aunt's health wasn't good.., everyone on edge.., he felt compassion for this entire family & his own nerves were raw. Mike went in to their master bath, changing from pajamas & tee in to denims, long sleeved shirt., walking out of the bathroom, he tried to walk softly over to the closet trying to ease the door open, he took out a coat. Patti turned over, trying to go back to sleep, but felt the bed give under Mike's weight.., he had gotten up. '' Mike where are you?'' ''I'm here, honey, try to go back to sleep.'' Patti asked in a sleepy voice. '' What are you doing? where are you going?'' That was David Westmoreland, Pat.., he asked me to meet him with Jim & Shaun up at Lake Shiloh.'' Patti bolted up in bed. In a whisper she asked. '' Is it Amy?'' Fear & dread showing on her lovely face these past weeks.'' No, honey, they don't know; David doesn't know, they only want to search the area..... he didn't give me the details Pat.'' '' Oh''.... Patti stated. She began crying. '' Oh,....... why did I ever leave her,....... my precious Amy....I should have went with her......I should have gone there to the mall......to her house......when she didn't call me!'' '' Why!? Why!? Michael......... has this happened? Mike turned on the lamp, sitting there on the bed, holding his wife of 18 years... she seemed so fragile...had been through so much. '' I'll be right back, Pat.'' Mike walked down the hallway to their son's room, knocking on the door. A sleepy Jeff, opened the door. '' What's wrong, Dad?'' '' I need you to look after your mother, call Lisa, have her to tell her dad to call Jared I'm going to meet Trooper Westmoreland up at Lake Shiloh.......& tell him to have Jim & Shaun to meet me, there .'' ''o.k. have they found......Amy?'' '' No, I don't think so, but the police want to search the area.'' '' Sure, dad, I'll call Lisa,...& mom will be alright.'' ''Patti, I'll be back, honey.'' Mike hugged his wife. ''It's only a search of the area, they haven't found any thing.'' Patti hugged her husband. '' I'll make some coffee, call me & let me know something....I can have coffee waiting for everyone.'' '' No, Pat, you need your rest.'' '' Michael, I'll go crazy sitting here waiting...., not knowing any thing.'' ''o.k. I'll call, let you know omething, but it may be a while.'' Patti slipped on her bath robe. '' It's alright... just as long as you call me.'' Mike drove on through the night, the road to Lake Shiloh was long & winding. at the top of the hill, there was a clearing wide enough for 20 Mack Trucks.. Mike saw what looked to be over 200 people gathered together, waiting. He saw The State Police K-9 Unit, there were 25 State Police with a dozen city police., some from neighboring counties., there was Bob Morrison; a longtime friend of the family, he had worked with Amy's dad for years. Denver Malone; Mike's boss., The heartfelt gratitude could not be expressed. He drove up, getting out of his Dodge pickup. Greeting all who offered a handshake. There in the center, Mike found David Westmoreland. Mike shook David's hand. '' Looks like we're going to have some real help here'' David said. Mike smiled. '' There's no better.'' Mike replied. Lumber mill workers, Auto workers, Farmers, Construction workers, there was a sea of concerned citizens, out this time of morning, losing sleep, offering their help. Jared came up to Mike & Trooper Westmoreland. '' Mike.'' Jared greeted him, shaking Mike's hand then offering the same to the state trooper. '' I can't begin to thank all of you, enough for what you are doing , helping, in the search for Amy.'' Jared's words were choked with emotion. Overwhelmed with the compassion the whole town had shown in these past weeks. Everyone offered their encouragement. '' O.k. men,'' David said above the talking. '' Let's all split up in groups, we're going to search Shiloh, & Choya Bluff, first. Let's meet back here...., David looked at his watch. In 2 hours.'' 1 of the citizens asked. '' Was Shiloh not searched before?'' '' Yes, it was, but we are going to search again.'' David explained to the man. Jimmy Paxton came up with his friend; Shaun Clifford. '' Trooper Westmoreland..., we want to help.'' Jimmy said. Bob Morrison spoke up. '' Let's go, let's split up.'' '' Sure, Jim, why don't you & Shaun go with Trooper Cannon & Trooper Wilson.'' Bruce Wilson was young, new.., a recent graduate from the police academy. Everyone was getting in to groups, Trooper Mitch Cannon handled the K-9 Unit. Trooper Westmoreland & Mike were discussing the old map of the area. '' It's been years since we were in that area, David.... I'm not sure if we could search this morning... do you remember some of the old abandoned mines at Choya Bluff?'' ''I do.'' Trooper Westmoreland replied. '' Wasn't there 1 called Joshua's Cave?'' '' Yes, it was supposedly named for Joshua Masden, who died in the cave from a fall in 1889 some say he was pushed.., my dad always said, there wasn't a bottom to it.., those caves & mines are dangerous. I'm not sure how we all survived.'' Trooper Westmoreland agreed. '' I don't know, David.... it's been years since I've been back there...,I'm thinking....., Old Sam Murphy would know those caves & mines better then anyone, he goes hunting there......, Well, we'll do what we can tonight, & give Mr. Murphy a call in the morning.'' Jimmy came up to Mike & Trooper Westmoreland. '' Mike,... Sam Murphy must be 100 years old..., what can he do?'' Mike put his hand on Jimmy's back. '' Jimmy..., Sam is probably in his late 60's or early 70's & he's the best tracker in this part of the country.'' '' I know, he's hunted for years, but.....I thought because of his age''........Jimmy said. '' He will do fine, Jim.'' Trooper Westmoreland reassured the young man. '' Alright, men Choya Bluff is off limits until daylight, we meet back here for further instructions.'' Trooper Westmoreland stated. The Dogs from the K-9 Unit were placed on long leashes, brought out of the van,there were 5 altogether,... 3 German shepherds & 2 Labrador Retrievers the best in the state.. The Dogs started out..., ahead of the people of Fairview. The search began. People in groups, spread out.... starting with Lake Shiloh & were planning to make a circle, working their way around Chatoshi Creek, staying away from Choya Bluff, as instructed until daylight. Molly Andersen; a co-worker & friend to Patti., along with several of the town & county's residents, set up, food, coffee for the men. A fire was started in a safe area..,for the men to warm themselves when they returned. The nights were beginning to get colder, & they all would welcome the food & the warmth of a fire. The barks from hunting dogs & the K-9 Unit could be heard in the stillness of the night. The thought uppermost in everyone's mind., would Amy be found? ............To Be Continued

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