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of something somehow made it real to people. Thanks, he nodded, trudging back through the
living room.
The officer sitting at the table looked up as he walked in. With his experienced eye, Patrick could
tell she was just as shaken as Jack and Julian, but she was better at hiding it. I don't think we've
been formally introduced."
"Patrick Hawkins, he said, shaking her hand.
She was tiny, but her grip was firm. Roxanne Keyes. Please, have a seat."
He took the chair across from her and lowered himself into it. Patrick wastired . His body hurt
more or less everywhere. This was the least relaxing vacation he'd ever been on. Well, except for
the Brad part, but that didn't really count.
Officer Keyes checked the remaining memory and battery strength on her digital recorder and then
put it back in the middle of the table and pulled out a blank statement sheet and pen. Mr.
Hawkins, the purpose of this interview is just to help us establish a timeline. When was the last time
you saw Hallie Klein?"
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"Just after five, I guess. Patrick rubbed at his eyes, trying to keep them focused. Jack dropped
me off at the complex for dinner and physiotherapy with Roz Piet. I talked to Hallie before she and
Jack left, just to say hello. She'd asked him where his boyfriend was, and he'd laughed at her. It
was just... normal."
"You didn't notice anything unusual? No one who could have been watching her and Jack leave?
No one there who shouldn't have been?"
This was the problem with being on unfamiliar turf. I've barely even been here for two weeks,
Patrick explained. I'm at the complex almost every day, but it's just for physio. No one stood out.
There had been gym-goers, soccer moms, kids, instructors. Patrick searched his memory again and
again, wondering if he had missed someone or if he was losing his edge. I didn't see anyone or
anything suspicious."
This obviously jibed with what Jack had told her, because Officer Keyes was nodding unhappily.
Okay. Around what time would you say Jack and Hallie left?"
Patrick thought for a second. He'd met Jack in town about ten after five, and the drive to the
complex was about five minutes. As usual, Jack had spent a few minutes chatting with Roz and a
few of the parents before leaving. Maybe twenty after, five-thirty?"
Keyes made a note on her sheet and rubbed a hand across her forehead. A wisp of curly brown
hair was sticking up funny on top of her head. That matches what Jack and Mr. Klein have said.
That would put dinner at just before six, and her disappearance somewhere around six-thirty."
Patrick looked at the clock on the wall. It was a quarter to nine, still raining and starting to get cold.
Hallie had been missing for over two hours. Anything on the radios?"
She shook her head. Not yet. I'll keep checking. Sighing, she switched off the digital recorder
and slid the statement sheet across to him along with her pen. If that's everything you can think of
that might be helpful, you can sign. Anything you want to add, just pencil it in."
Patrick read over the brief account and picked up the pen. It was complete, concise, and to the
point. It was also, as far as he could tell, utterly unhelpful. He uncapped the pen and signed it, for
all the good it would do.
"Here. He handed it back.
Keyes put it in a pile with the others and turned off the recorder. You've been in the service, am I
right?"
He motioned to his shoulder. I mentioned the physiotherapy?"
"Bullet wound?"
"Through-and-through at point-blank range, Patrick confirmed. His shoulder twinged in
recognition.
"You sound almost proud of it."
"I had it tattooed in commemoration. He stood up, scrubbing at his hair. I take it this doesn't
happen often out here."
Keyes shook her head. I haven't had a case like this in the ten years I've worked here. I hoped I
never would."
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"If you need any help, you can call me. Patrick fished his wallet out of his back pocket and
flipped through until he found a card. The idea of sitting on his ass while a little girl was in danger
chafed.
"Didn't they send you out here to recover?"
"Technically."
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