Page 84 of Three Girls Gone

The woman nodded and looked over her shoulder. A man in his forties was watching and came walking over.

“Can I help you?” While the wording of the question couldbe taken as friendly and cooperative, his tone was all business. He wanted themdealt withso he could get back to things.

“We’re hoping so,” Amanda said and stepped to the side when a few more people entered the pub.

“How about we talk in my office?” the man suggested.

Amanda nodded, and she and Trent followed him, still not knowing his name.

Theofficewas the size of a janitorial closet with a desk and chair squeezed in there.

“Thank you for agreeing to talk with us,” Amanda began and introduced herself and Trent. “You are the manager?” It seemed rather straightforward that he was, but she wanted to confirm it.

“Yeah. Roman Crawford.”

“If we wanted to see security video, would that be something you could help us with?” She’d noted the cameras over the bar as they’d walked past it to get back here, but that didn’t mean they were working.

“I’d have to ask what this is about.” Roman narrowed his eyes. “Police business obviously, but…?” He was fishing for details she wasn’t willing to divulge.

“I can’t provide specifics as it’s pertaining to an open investigation,” she said, “but your help could mean the difference between life and death.”

“Life and death?” Roman didn’t seem to buy it, and Amanda could appreciate it sounded dramatic, but it was the truth.

“I assure you that’s what’s at stake,” she said firmly.

Roman held her gaze, then nodded. “All right. I’ll do whatever I can to help, and we have security cameras.”

“And they are working?” She was reserving her enthusiasm.

“They work, and it’s all stored on site. Just tell me what time and date you’d like to see.”

Amanda told him and watched his eyes shadow when she said February 22.

Roman winced. “Yeah, I might have gotten carried away. That’s three months ago, and we only store the last sixty days. Otherwise, our computer would get bogged down.”

And that is why I rarely get excited in advance…

“I could check the old shift schedules,” Roman went on, “see who was working that day? Show them a photo of whoever it is you’re looking for?”

“We’re working on a description only for now. But we can revisit that in future if needed.”

“Sure thing.”

“Okay, well, thank you for being willing to help,” Amanda said, making a move to leave.

“Sorry I couldn’t,” Roman said to her retreating back.

Amanda and Trent were at the exit when Trent’s phone rang.

He took out his phone and checked the screen. “Unknown number,” he said then answered. “Ah, yes, thank you for returning my call. That would be great. We’ll be right there. Thank you.” He pocketed his phone. “What’s that saying? One door closes, and another…?”

Opens, or God opens a window…She’d heard it both ways. “Just tell me there’s reason to hope.”

“There is,” he reiterated. “That was Tessa Keirns.”

“Which you say like it should mean something to me.”

“It’s the homeowner from the Maynards’ neighborhood with the doorbell cam.”