Page 38 (1/2)

"I haven’t given this number to many people," Malachi explained

"Oh, yeah? Well, thanks Look, I’m sorry to wake you I knohat time it is butyou said to call I’ht near city hall Du nothing And I realize there are cops out here, too--I believe so out on the water I think it’s a rowboat There’s nothing else out there, but can you get here?"

"Yeah Give ht there" A rowboat He thought of what Blue had said

Roger turned; Malachi didn’t kno, but he seeht in on his location

He walked toward hier at the sa the river"

"Have you seen anything?" Roger asked

Will and Abby ca over to join theer asked Malachi wasn’t sure if he felt reassured, stalked or just mystified

"What is it you saw?" Malachi asked

"Co with the current," Roger said

"I’ll get Jackson" Will stepped aside to er demanded

Malachi did; it was dark out on the water and the current was ht touched down on soer had stared out at the water for so long It was there, and then it seeo out there and get it," Roger said

Abby put a hand on his ar for a boat to tow it in, to find out what’s going on Maybe you should--"

"Should what?" Roger shouted "Go home? I can’t, Abby Coer You’re right We’ll just stay here and wait" She ca by his side

Only seconds later, they saw athe river They saw it slon and circle the object The moon went behind a cloud and as it reappeared, they saw an officer tossing out a towrope

Malachi’s phone rang He answered ier stared at hier "Possibly, it just broke away froht have no connection to the case"

"Eain "That could mean thatshe’s in the river Tell themtell them they have to search the water They have to search the water until they find her! Like when Abby saw Helen What if he threw her out of that rowboat? If he did, she’s in the water so his hands on theon his eyes "There had to be someone in the rowboat to throw soer seeht I guess you’re right Butbut she could be out there"

"So is the patrol," Malachi said

"Yeah, I know," Roger said "I’ve got other people runningI can do Ifro I can’t give up"

"Rog, hoell did you know Bianca?" Abby asked "I mean, everyone’s on the lookout because of what’s been happening, but she could have lost her phone or decided not topursue the relationship"

"Ithere, Abby I don’t believe Bianca blew me off and disappeared"

"Okay, I’er looked back at the river "I guessI guess I’ll go home for a while Sleep"

"Couys don’t need to babysit o out of your way"

"I’ at Abby’s house on Chippewa," Will told hier"

"My place is just past Abby’s"

"Yeah?" Will said "Then we’re going the saer stopped and turned back "I thought you all atching the river?"

"Shift is over Ne coer nodded and then saw Abby He ca "Thank you," he said

"Love ya, Rog"

"You, too" He nodded, then turned, hurrying to catch up with Will Malachi’s phone vibrated; he grabbed it quickly and heard Jackson’s voice "When you get back in the Dragonslayer, take a look at the footage on the co I should worry about?" Malachi asked

"No, nothing wrong But a little bizarre Interesting Have a look, then get some sleep"

"What?" Abby asked as Malachi slipped his phone into his pocket

"Nothing Jackson’s just checking in," he said

He and Abby walked slowly behind Will and Roger, co over to Bay and doard the Dragonslayer