Page 12 of Vanish From Sight

Many were close to the yellow tape, pushing their luck with cameras and microphones at the ready. They jostled forposition, trying to get the best shot or a soundbite from anyone willing to talk.

It was crazy.

Drawn back to the marina that afternoon, Noah wanted to see if the divers or officers searching had located any further evidence. With the lake falling into county jurisdiction as well as the town, it was no surprise to see Adirondack County sheriff’s deputies on site.

Noah smiled upon arrival at the sight of a familiar face.

He parked, climbed out and crossed the lot, working his way through the crowd.

She had her back turned to him and was addressing a cluster of reporters who were swarming her for a quick soundbite.

“And your name was?” a reporter asked.

“Deputy Thorne,” she replied before Noah was quick to add, “Be sure to include an E on that surname. Causes all manner of problems.”

Callie turned and a broad smile emerged. “Excuse me,” she said to the media. As she made her way out, local PD officers stepped in and instructed the media to move back.

Noah stuck his hands in his long tweed jacket. “Didn’t they tell you at the academy about rule number nine?”

“And that would be?” she asked.

“Never talk to media.”

“Is that so? And what are the other eight rules before that?”

“I haven’t the foggiest,” he said with a grin. “How you doing, Callie?”

“Better for seeing you. I thought you weren’t coming back until early next year.”

“My lieutenant fast-tracked things. Seems they’re desperate for boots on the ground up here.”

He extended a hand but she bypassed it and gave him a hug. “Couldn’t have arrived at a better, or let’s say a worse time,” she said, pulling away and glancing over her shoulder.

He nodded. “I know, I was here last night when they brought the victim out.”

“Explains why local PD didn’t contact us until after.”

“Wasn’t much that could be done. It was pitch dark out there.” He glanced off toward the crowd. “So, what’s the deal with the group?”

“Oh, them. Yeah, this has really drawn the oddballs out of the woodwork. That couple over there, the ones performing what looks like an EVP, they are—”

“EV… what?” he asked, cutting her off.

“Electronic voice phenomena. It’s a paranormal group. They think they can pick up on the dead with tools that look more suited for finding studs in a drywall than a ghost.”

He chuckled as she continued. “Then of course we have social media influencers looking to capture the action for likes and follows. I swear, social websites and apps have become the home for the mentally disturbed.”

“And them?” Noah pointed to a cluster of people who had attached a map on the side of a van and were drawing red circles while they sipped on lattes.

“Those are your armchair detectives.”

“Doesn’t that mean they try to solve a case from home?”

“Oh, well, yes but things have changed, Noah. Evolved. Progressed. We aren’t supposed to call them that anymore. Citizen detectives, I think is what they prefer. Terminology is everything nowadays, otherwise folks get all offended.”

“Isn’t that the truth.” Their laughter waned as they walked toward the dock, considering the task ahead. “So have they found anything interesting?”

“Not so far. It’s a big lake, right? Without knowing where she went in and now with the body out, I’m not sure they will dragthe lake. A dive team is focusing on the area below Pulpit Rock though the body could have drifted there from its original entry point.”