Back at Fragrant Meadows Sheriff Bob Browne waited for Sarah Freeman to pick up the phone. "Hello Sarah, this is Bob Browne how are you? - no, no, as far as I know they are both fine." He hated that part of his job. Whenever he called someone, people instantly thought he was the harbinger of bad news. And of course, sometimes he was and he hated that part of his job even more. "Listen, do you have a moment? I'd like to ask you a few questions. - No, it's not about the upcoming election. Let me make this short, okay? Have you by any chance seen Julia Livingston-Banes? I hear John and she are friends. -Okay - Right. No worries, we're just being thorough." When he saw Elizabeth's face he raised a hand to tell her she should trust him to know what he was doing. "Amelia called me to come out because Julia is not here this morning and we thought maybe she went over to meet with your son. Can I speak with him for a sec? - I see. Well thank you. If you hear something it can't hurt to give me a holler. Or just call Gretchen and she'll be in touch. You have a good day now."
He hung up the phone and told Ted, "Sarah hasn't seen Julia but John left the house early to meet with her," and turning to Elizabeth, "see doll, the kids are probably out having themselves an adventure, nothing to worry about."
"You're still calling Peter though, right? I mean we can't just assume she's with John only because he's not home either," Elizabeth, her anxiety rising with every passing second.
"Of course. I do it right away. Ted, what's the number again?"
"Why don't I dial it for you, you know how I can get dyslexic reading stuff to you." Ted, taking the phone, punched in the long-distance number then handed it back to Bob.
"Hello, is this Peter Banes? - Good. This is Sheriff Bob Browne from Cedarwood Ridge. I'd like to ask you a few questions if you can give me a minute."
As with Sarah he explained how Julia wasn't home but that there was no cause for worry. After all this was Cedarwood Ridge, not Washington, D.C. When he was satisfied with his query, he thanked Peter and put the phone on the table.
"And? What did he say? Come on, tell us!"
As before he raised one hand, reaching for his pen with the other and Ted answered, "Let the man finish his notes, please? Every little detail may be important and the sooner he writes it down the better."
Self-important washed-up jock, Elizabeth thought but had to admit that he was right nevertheless.