Page 105 of Line of Sight

Ice inched its way closer to Dan’s heart. “Buried alive? Oh my God.”

Riley pointed to the first line. “Weighed down.” He scowled. “That fucking bastard.”

“But where?”

“Gimme a minute, okay?” Riley studied the message again. “This bit about Gary’s hair… I don’t get it. His isn’t auburn.”

Dan peered over his shoulder. “Wait. Look. He’s written it with a capitalA. Is it a place name?” He froze. “Mount Auburn cemetery. Gary and I went there for Corey’s funeral. Sean’s too.”

“A cemetery?” Riley shook his head. “That’s way too obvious a clue for this guy.”

Dan thought fast. “Is there an Auburn in Massachusetts?”

Riley got on his phone. “Google Maps, don’t fail me now.” He jerked his head up. “Yes! Just south of Worcester.”

“How far is that?”

Riley clicked on the screen. “Maybe less than an hour, without traffic. Butwherein Auburn?”

Dan returned to the cryptic message. “What about that last comment? About me not having the sand.”

He frowned. “What does that even mean?”

“I think it’s the same as not having the guts, but it just seems too random.” Dan widened his eyes. “Sand…. Could Gary be buried in sand? On a beach somewhere?”

Riley shook his head. “Not in Auburn. It’s inland.” He went back to his phone, typing and scrolling.

Dan pushed down hard on his rising panic, but a moment later it was in full flood when Riley swallowed. “What? What have you found?”

“Oh fuck.” Riley looked at him, his eyes huge. “There’s a sand and gravel company a little ways outside of Auburn.” He lurched up out of the armchair and grabbed his keys from the coffee table.

Dan gaped at him. “What are you doing?You’renot going. Remember what he said?”

Riley’s wild gaze met his. “This is not some movie, okay? You are not going anywhere near this guy without backup.”

“But—”

“We’re wasting precious time here. Get in your car. I’m gonna call Travers.” He glanced at Dan’s Apple watch. “That might come in handy.”

Dan blinked. “What do you mean?”

Riley gave him a grim smile. “I’ve got a plan.”

Dan was only half listening.

How long can someone stay alive like that?

Chapter Seventy

Monday, January 28, 2019

8:20 a.m.

DAN STOPPEDhis car at the gates of the Worcester Sand and Gravel Company. Beyond them, the site was already a hive of industry: loaders, jaw crushers, and conveyors. Power shovels trundled back and forth, and a layer of dust caught the sunlight before it floated down to land on the snow.

He knew Riley wasn’t far behind him, with Officer Lomax. He also knew they wouldn’t put in an appearance until he called them.

Dan had given very specific instructions. He had no idea if King was already on site, watching him, and Dan couldn’t chance him seeing them.