Joey shuffled papers around on his desk, trying to appear busy, but just couldn't concentrate on business. All he could think about was his sister. Where could Sara be? What could have happened to her? It was six weeks since her disappearance, and the police had come up with nothing. There must be something more that could be done. Abruptly, he stood up and went over to his boss.
"Excuse me, Mr. Taylor, I have some business to take of outside the office, so if it's all right with you, I'm going to leave early, and I'll see you in the morning."
Ross Taylor peered up at Joey. "Of course, Joe. Go right ahead. It's almost five anyway." He watched the young man as he left the office. That poor kid. What he and his family must be going through. He'd known the Pearsons all his life. Sara was a few years older than his own daughter. She had been such a sweet girl. Such a shame, and the worst thing was that they had no idea what happened to her. He thanked God for his own daughter's safety and went back to his work.
Snow was piled high on either side of David's driveway, where the plow had deposited the frozen white stuff. Joey brought his Toyota to a stop in front of the house. He got out and ran up the salted front steps. After pushing the doorbell, he stomped his feet and blew on his hands. God it was cold! He glanced up at the darkening sky and shivered. It was supposed to snow again. He rang the bell once more.
The door finally opened, and David greeted the young man warmly. They had become quite close over the last weeks. "Come in, come in. I've a fire going in the den," he said as he took Joey's hat and coat, "and a brand new bottle of Jack Daniels."
"That sounds great. I could use a drink."
"I thought you looked like you had a bad day."
"Yeah, I think I've forgotten how to have a good day."
"I know what you mean." agreed David, sadly.
Joey looked pleadingly into David's eyes. "Isn't there something more we can do? The police haven't come up with a damn thing yet! They aren't even really working on the case anymore."
David's body seemed to shrink, and he sighed, "I just don't know, Joey."
The two men went into the den, and Joey went directly to the fireplace to warm the chill out of his body. He stared into the bright yellow and orange flames.