Chapter 36
Monday afternoon
The address had been in JP’s notebook for a couple of days, and it was time to check it out. A modest neighborhood, older homes, yards that had seen better days but were still cared for. Yvonne Caldwell had lived there once. At least, that’s what the neighbor had said.
JP parked along the curb and sat for a moment, looking at the house. Nothing about it stood out.
He got out and walked up to the door and knocked. It took a minute before someone answered. A man in his forties, cautious but not unfriendly.
“Yeah?”
“My name is JP Torn. I’m trying to track down Yvonne Caldwell. I was told she used to live here.”
“We’ve been here six years now.”
“Do you know where she went?”
“No,” the man said. “The place was empty for a while before we bought it in a bank sale.”
“Anyone around here might know?”
The man shrugged. “Maybe some of the older neighbors, but it’s been a while.”
JP thanked him and stepped back. Then, he asked a couple of nearby neighbors, got the same kind of answers, vague recollections, nothing useful, nothing recent. Yvonne Caldwell had been there, and then she wasn’t.
JP stood on the sidewalk for a moment, then turned back toward his truck. If the mother was gone, the next best place to look was the brother.
He headed back to Charles Field’s house.
Field answered quickly. “Welcome back. What can I do for you?”
“I’ve been trying to find Yvonne Caldwell, but no luck. I checked the last known address I have on her, but she’s been gone from there for years.”
Field nodded, like he expected that. “She wouldn’t stay put.”
“I was wondering if you know where August is. If he’s still in the military, he could be anywhere I suppose.”
Field stepped aside. “Come in.”
The house was neat, organized, everything in its place. Field moved toward a small desk and opened a drawer, pulling out a worn address book.
“I only saw him once after he joined the army.” Field motioned to a chair. “Have a seat.”
“Thanks.” JP sat down.
Field sat across from him. “After our talk the other day, I got to thinking about August. I figured at some point, he might be helpful to you. So, I tracked him down through the military. He’s stationed in Fort Carson, Colorado Springs.”
“Have you talked to him?”
“Not yet, but I have his number. We can give him a call. I’d love to see how he’s doing.”
JP nodded. “Do you think he’ll talk?”
“He always did.”
The call took a few minutes to connect. Field put it on speaker. “August. It’s Charlie Field.”
“What the heck? How are you doing, Charlie?” The young man sounded genuinely excited to hear from him.
“I’m good.”
August’s tone changed. “Is there something wrong?”
“No. Everything is good. How is life in the Army? Do you have a family?”
“I got married to a nurse a couple years back. She’s the best part of me.”
“Any kids?” Field asked.
“Not yet, but someday, I hope.”
“I don’t mean to ambush you, but I’ve got someone with me. He’s a private investigator. He’s looking into your sister’s case.”
A moment of silence. “Why? Is there something new?”
“Hannah’s name came up in another case he’s working on. He’s hoping to find out what happened to Hannah. It’s a long shot, but if you don’t mind talking to him, it might help.”
“Sure. I don’t know what I have to offer, but you’ve got my attention.”
Field glanced at JP, then held out the phone.
JP took the phone, leaving it on speaker. “August, this is JP Torn.”
“I don’t know what I could tell you that Charlie doesn’t already know.”
“Sometimes, we don’t know what we know.”
“I’ll do what I can, but first tell me, have you checked out Nigel Gates?”
“I have, and he’s still on my radar, but right now he’s sitting in prison.”
“Good to know, but let me guess. He’s there for hurting little girls.”
“You’re right as rain.”
“What do you need?” August asked.
“I’m trying to locate your mother,” JP said.
“Why?” August’s tone was defensive.
“Because she may know something we don’t,” JP said. “Or she may have seen something later that didn’t seem important at the time.”
“She moved around,” he said after a beat.
“Do you know where she is now?”
“Yeah.”
JP waited.
“She’s in Fallbrook. It’s a small place. She doesn’t like people knowing where she is. But if you think it’ll help…”
He gave JP the address and phone number, and JP wrote it down.
“Are you still in contact with her?” JP asked.
“Sometimes,” August said. “Not like before.”
“How’s she doing?”
August let out a quiet breath. “It depends on the day.”
“And you?” JP asked.
That seemed to catch him off guard. “I’m good. Life has been good to me.”
“Do you ever stop looking?” JP asked.
The line was quiet for a second. “No.”
JP believed him. “I appreciate you talking to me. This helps.”
“If you find something,” August said, “you call me.”
“I will.”
JP handed the phone back to Field, who wrapped up the call and hung up.
The room was quiet for a moment.
“You think this will lead somewhere?” Field asked.
JP looked down at the address he’d written. “I think it’s one more opportunity.”
Field nodded. “I hope you find something for August’s sake.”
JP slipped the notebook back into his pocket. “Me too.”