Chapter Thirteen #2
“Thank you. It’s been rough, and the passage of time hasn’t made it easier. I want to know if she’s still out there, and if she’s dead, I want to bring her home. I just want answers, you know?”
“I get it.”
“I know you do.”
“Tell us about Jordan.”
“She was delightful, funny, sweet, sassy and all things girly. She loved to dance, draw and paint and was into crafts of every kind. It was twenty-six years ago, when I was eleven, and she was seven. We were living in Morgantown, West Virginia, with our grandparents because both our parents were drug addicts and had lost custody of us.”
Even though he’d provided the photos to Alicia, seeing the one of him with his arm slung around his little sister still hit him in the heart when Alicia posted it.
He’d missed his sister fiercely for so many years—and he felt like he’d failed her by not being there the one time she’d truly needed him.
“Despite the four years between us, we were close after losing contact with our parents and moving in with our grandparents two years prior to her disappearance.” Jesse took a drink of his iced tea.
“I’d gone to a friend’s house to play, which was something I rarely did.
According to my grandmother, Jordan had been playing in the yard—alone, which was infuriating to me.
I never let her go out there alone. The neighborhood wasn’t the best, and there were sketchy people around.
I almost lost my mind when I found out she’d been outside alone. ”
“You were eleven and already an adult.”
“It happens fast when your parents are unreliable.” He told her the rest, about coming home to a search in progress, the bloodhounds sniffing Jordan’s favorite stuffed bear, days turning into weeks and months and then years and decades without a trace.
“I begged my grandparents to track down my parents and figure out where they were when Jordan went missing. I wouldn’t have put it past one of them to snatch her back and have long believed it’s possible one of them was involved. ”
“Were you able to locate them?”
“My grandparents shut down that theory as fast as I had it. I went around them, alerted local law enforcement to the possibility. When our parents were found, both had alibis, according to the sheriff, but I was never convinced they were actually found or questioned.”
“Why do you think they’d lie to you about that?”
“I was just a kid. My grandfather was deeply connected to the community and may have told the sheriff to shut down that angle. The last thing my grandparents wanted to deal with was my drug-addicted parents. They’d done everything they could to try to save their daughter—and then my father, too—but it was all for naught. They couldn’t be saved.”
Another photo came on the screen, the only one Jesse had of his parents, from when they were in their early twenties.
“Their names at the time were Elizabeth Granger and Clive Best. I believe she’d be fifty-six now, and he’d be fifty-eight.
I’ve never found a single trace of them anywhere, except for old court documents from arrests dating back thirty years.
They both did time in prison in West Virginia but disappeared into the ether when they were released.
I believe it’s possible they’re going by different names now, and this is a photo of what they might look like today. ”
He’d paid thousands of dollars for an age-progressed photo of the couple in the old picture, which was also based on how he looked at thirty-seven. Next, Alicia showed the photo of what Jordan might look like today.
“What would you say to Jordan if you were able to speak directly to her?”
“I’d say that I love her a thousand times more than I did twenty-six years ago, and I’ve never stopped looking for her—and will never stop, as long as I’m alive. If she’s out there somewhere, or someone knows where she might be, please reach out.”
Alicia put up an image with his contact information, using the Gmail address and private cell phone number he’d provided.
“I’d also like to hear from my parents if they’re still alive and inclined to help find their missing daughter, although I’m sure that’d be a long shot, as I’m a U.S.
Marshal who hunts fugitives. I’m probably the last person they’d ever want to be in touch with, especially if they’re still living as drug addicts or criminals.
They can reach out anonymously to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, if they’d prefer not to deal with me directly.
” The organization’s website appeared on the screen.
“What is your life like twenty-six years after your sister disappeared?”
“It’s better now than it’s been in the past. I enjoy my work and have a few good friends. One, in particular, has become especially close. But even when I’m truly happy, it’s always tinged by sorrow for the one who’s missing.”
“I hope our listeners and viewers are able to help. If you’re listening rather than watching and would like to see the photos, go to my YouTube channel to view them, and please, if you know where Jordan Best might be, please report it to your local authorities or to Marshal Best. Your small piece of information could be the tip that solves this case once and for all.
Jesse, thank you so much for being with us and for sharing your story.
I hope you get the answers you’re seeking. ”
“Thank you again for having me and for all you do to shine the light on cold cases. It’s appreciated.”
Jesse had signed off with Alicia and removed his earbuds when he heard sniffling behind him. He spun around in his desk chair to find Memphis standing in the doorway, propped up on crutches, tears running down her face.
“What’s wrong, sweetheart?”
“Hearing that story again… My heart breaks for you, Jesse. And for Jordan.”
He stood and went to her, putting his hands on her shoulders over the West Virginia Mountaineers T-shirt that she’d “stolen” from him. “You’re not supposed to get up without help.”
“I wanted to hear what you were saying.”
“You already know the story.”
“You hadn’t told me that you’d had age progression done for your parents.”
“It’s a somewhat recent development.”
“How much did that set you back?”
“A lot.”
She winced.
“It’ll be worth it if it produces a lead.”
“Will you be okay if nothing comes of this new effort?”
“Will you be here to make it all better?”
She laid her head on his chest. “I’ll be right here.”
He buried his hand in her thick, dark hair. “Then I’ll be okay.”
“What’re we going to do about work?”
They’d kept their relationship off the radar thus far, but with him staking out her hospital room for days and now both of them out on leave at the same time, tongues were probably wagging at the office.
“We’re not going to worry about that today.”