Page 109 of Snowbound Threat

“There’s been some new information come to light about the time when Abby went missing. We’d like to see if we can clear it up.”

Grant led them to an enormous living room dominated by a stone fireplace. There were stuffed elk and deer heads mounted around. Rich brown leather sofas and chairs were positioned around the room. Everything about the place spoke of wealth.

A woman stepped into the room.

“Would anyone like coffee?” Grant asked.

“No thank you,” Charlie told him. Ryan and Boone refused as well.

Grant dismissed the woman and closed the door. He indicated they should sit. Charlie claimed a seat on one of the sofas. Ryan joined her. Boone waited for Grant to sit before taking a chair.

“What new evidence are you talking about?” Grant asked when the silence lengthened.

Straight to the point. Charlie studied the man she’d only met a few times growing up. She recalled Grant Owens being at her parents’ funeral but not much else about his interaction with her or Pete.

“We have it through a reliable source that Jason hung out with Shane Vallin back before Abby went missing. Shane confirmed he provided drugs to your son and that he and Tyler both owed some very nasty drug dealer’s money.” Boone waited for the news to sink in. “You told me that Jason wasn’t in Pine Haven at the time. Seems we have a discrepancy to clear up.”

Grant’s mouth clamped shut without answering. Charlie noticed the man had aged since her parents’ funeral. His silver hair was thinning. Piercing blue eyes appeared dulled with time. He’d lost weight, too. Once a physically fit six-foot-tall man, he now had a stoop that spoke of a life’s weight that money couldn’t fix.

“We need to speak to Jason,” Ryan interjected. “Let him tell us what he was doing back then.”

Charlie reached for Ryan’s hand and held it while they waited.

Grant bowed his head and placed it in his hands. Soon, Charlie noticed the older man’s shoulders quaked. She squeezed Ryan’s hand believing something was coming.

Grant sniffed a few times and then wiped his eyes before facing them. “You’re right. My son was heavily involved in drugs. I remember that time clearly. I hardly recognized Jason. He lost weight. His grades were slipping. By the time school let out for the holiday that winter, I was worried I’d lose him.” He released a shuddering breath. “But I was telling the truth about him not being in Pine Haven when Abby went missing. We never told anyone about it, but I checked Jason into a drug treatment center. He was there during the last two weeks of Christmas and all of January. I’ll give you the name of the facility.” He stood and searched through a desk in the corner until he found a business card and handed it to Boone. “They have his records.” He shook his head. “Unfortunately, that was just the first of many treatments. My son is only two years sober.” He stepped tothe door and called for someone Charlie couldn’t see. When he returned, Grant told them he’d sent for Jason.

“Hopefully, he can remember something that might be useful, but I’m afraid I don’t have much trust in anything he remembers.”

When the door opened, an older version of Jason stepped tentatively into the room, his eyes darting between the three of them and back to his father. “What’s going on? Samuel said you wanted to see me.”

Grant motioned his son over. “They know about the drugs, son. This isn’t about that.”

Jason looked as if he were in his forties instead of late twenties. The life he’d chosen to live had taken its toll. “What do you want to know?” There was enough caution in his voice that had Charlie sitting up straighter. Did he know something?

“It’s about Abby, son. They’re looking into her disappearance. The sheriff told me he believes it's connected to Charlie’s parents’ deaths and now her uncle’s.”

“I had no idea,” Jason finally murmured. “I’m sorry, Charlie. I didn’t know about your uncle passing away.”

“Thank you,” she managed.

Grant nodded to Boone. “Ask him whatever you need.”

Boone waited until Jason claimed one of the chairs before asking him what he knew about Abby.

Jason tilted his head at the question as if he found it strange. “Not much really. She and I didn’t hang in the same circles.” He seemed to be struggling to recall information.

“You hung out with Tyler from time to time, though?” Boone watched Jason’s reaction.

“I did. Not always but from time to time. He was funny and we got along okay.”

“What about Shane?”

Jason’s attention shot to his father.

“It’s okay. They know everything.”

Jason slowly nodded. “Shane wasn’t really a friend. He supplied drugs to me and to Tyler so we hung out with him a lot. At first, we didn’t have to pay for them. But then. . .”