Page 105 of Snowbound Threat

Noah barely waited for the door to shut. “Do you mind telling me what this is about?”

Boone didn’t waste time getting to the matter. “Abby’s disappearance. We have questions.”

Right away, Noah’s guard went up. His attention bolted from the sheriff to Charlie. “Charlie? That is you. I thought so. It’s been a while.” He seemed to want to stall in getting started with the questions.

“What do you know about Abby’s disappearance, Noah? My uncle seemed to believe you withheld information.”

Noah looked as if he’d seen a ghost. “What? That’s crazy. I don’t know anything about what happened to Abby.”

Ryan didn’t buy it. Noah was as nervous as he’d seen him. “Maybe she saw something she shouldn’t have.” He repeated what was written in the journal.

Noah’s eyes widened. “I don’t know anything about that.”

Boone stepped closer. “But you do know something. I can see it in the way you’re acting.”

Noah stared at him without blinking for the longest time before he dropped down onto the desk chair. “I mayknowsomething, but it isn’t because I was involved in her disappearance. It wasn’t me,” he stressed again, his voice anything but steady.

Ryan’s pulse quickened. Would Noah provide the missing pieces? “Tell us what you know, Noah.”

Noah closed his eyes. “You remember Shane Vallin?”

Ryan hadn’t heard the name in a long time. Shane Vallin was a local bad boy. Always getting into trouble. He dropped out of school and sold pot around town. Ryan remembered he had suddenly left town, and no one seemed to know where he went. “What about him?”

Noah pulled in a shaky breath. “He and I and Tyler Jennings used to hang out together. Sometimes, with Jason Owens.”

The judge’s son’s name settled uneasily in Ryan’s mind.

“Go on.” Boone prompted.

“Shane had some sketchy acquaintances that came into town that winter.” He paused before adding, “They were more like business associates of Shane’s. They wanted him to start pushing more than pot. Shane told me they scared him. I think that’s why he left Pine Haven.” He looked between them. “Anyway, I’ve always wondered if perhaps Abby saw something drug related that she shouldn’t have.”

And Shane’s associates silenced her?

“What else?” Charlie asked. “There has to be more.”

Noah looked at her with sympathy. “Honestly, Charlie, that’s all I know. Shane left town until recently.”

“Wait, stop.” Boone held up a hand. “You’re saying Shane’s back?”

Ryan barely remembered the troubled teen that had left Pine Haven. As far as he knew, that was the last time Shane had been in town.

“I saw him.” Noah leaned forward in his seat. “But he didn’t see me, thank goodness. He looked different. Like maybe he had gotten his life together finally.”

Ryan remembered Shane’s parents had left town a few years after Shane. As far as he knew the former resident didn’t have any family left in Pine Haven. Why would he come back?

“Any idea where we can find him? Where did you see Shane?” Boone asked.

Noah shook his head. “That’s the funny part. He was heading into the church sanctuary.” He shrugged. “That’s all I know, I promise. I didn’t have anything to do with Abby’s disappearance. She was a nice girl. I can’t believe what happened to her. I’ve always felt bad about not mentioning Shane before.”

Boone nodded to Ryan and Charlie. “We’ll check out your story. One more question. Where were you the night Abby went missing?”

Noah jerked his head back. “Sleeping. It was the middle of the night, right?”

Ryan remembered all the kids in school had been asked that question. Noah’s answer should be recorded somewhere in the case file.

“If you think of anything else, you give me a call.” Boone tossed his business card onto the desk before indicating they should leave.

The three stepped past a shocked Kate and out into the afternoon that was becoming increasingly crowded with tourists.