Chapter Thirty
Midge was too exhausted when she got home to give Sarah Greene and Reverend Bauer any more thought.
Now it’s morning, and she’s padding around the kitchen making coffee, and there’s still no sign of Sarah.
Remembering the crowded waterfront and all those out-of-state license plates, Midge is well aware that Mulberry Bay is filled with outsiders on this holiday weekend.
What if Sarah crossed paths with some opportunistic stranger who saw a pretty, naive girl and took advantage of her?
Where? At the church?
Okay, then what if . . .
No.
Midge’s brain wants to connect her to Bauer, but it doesn’t make sense. She attributes the instinct to link him to the missing girl to the fact that the man was on her mind the second she walked through the door at Congregational.
Phone pressed between her shoulder and ear, she measures coffee grounds into a filter as Renee fills her in on the night’s developments.
Word is getting out, and several people have reported seeing Sarah yesterday afternoon. They all confirmed that the girl was alone, and walking toward the church.
“So no one saw her leaving and heading back home?” Midge asks.
“That doesn’t mean she didn’t.”
“No, I know. It’s just . . . I keep thinking about that predatory pastor.”
Last night, in between licks of dripping ice cream, she told Renee about Reverend Bauer, not mentioning that when she visited the church, she hadn’t yet been aware of Bauer’s criminal history.
Renee might ask her how she’d since found out, and she needs to keep the Greene case separate from Kelly’s private investigation and her own past, for professional reasons and for personal.
“Bauer? Yeah, I looked into that,” Renee says. “Horrible story. He was here in Mulberry Bay from 1998 through 2000. The Winterfield girl went missing from Haven Cliff in 1999, and I saw that she was a member of Congregational, just like Sarah.”
Midge fumbles the coffee scoop, dumping grounds all over the countertop, and lets out a curse.
“Midge?”
“Sorry, I just spilled something. It’s okay. What were you saying?”
“Nothing that matters. The Winterfield disappearance isn’t relevant to Sarah Greene. I just mentioned it because your dad was the chief back when she disappeared, so you must be familiar with it.”
“Yes. And she was a friend of mine.”
“Caroline Winterfield? Oh, I’m so sorry.”
“Thanks. It’s . . .”
No, it’s not okay. It will never be okay.
Midge says, instead, “It’s been a long time.”
“Twenty-five years. But a girl who drowned in 1999 wouldn’t be connected to a girl who didn’t come home from Bible study yesterday. And Sarah wouldn’t be connected to Reverend Bauer unless he’s still lurking around Congregational. But all signs indicate that he fled over the border to Mexico.”
“Exactly.” Midge presses the brew button on the coffee maker and grabs a sponge to wipe the counter. “So do you have any theories about where Sarah might be?”
“Absolutely. I mean, you met the mother.”
“Sadie. Yes. Why?”
“Sadie?”
“She told me to call her Sadie.”
“Funny. She told me to call her Mrs. Greene. I checked in on her, just like you asked, and I know she’s going through a lot right now, but . . .”
“Renee, that’s an understatement. Her daughter is missing.”
“I know, but I’m pretty sure she doesn’t want a Black detective on the case.”
“Oh no. What did she say to you?”
“It’s not what she said, it’s how she . . . is. Believe me, I can always feel it.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Yeah,” she says around a deep yawn. “I’m used to it. But look, I don’t think she has anything to do with Sarah being gone in a nefarious way. I just wouldn’t blame Sarah if she decided to get away from that horrible mother and have some fun.”
“Let’s hope that’s what she did.”
“I’m sure it’s what she did.”
“Good. I was planning on stopping over at the Greenes’ on my way to the office, but maybe—”
“Don’t bother. She just went upstairs to lie down.
She has a friend with her. Virginia Livingston, who said she’ll let us know if anything changes, but she wants Sadie to get some rest. Oh, and Sarah’s father is on his way back from Georgia, but he’s driving, so he won’t be here until late tonight or early tomorrow. ” Renee yawns again.
Midge takes a go-cup from the cabinet. “Go home and get some sleep.”
“I plan to. And when I check in with you later, I expect you to tell me Sarah Greene turned up in Vegas.”
“I really hope that happens.” Midge hangs up, doubting that.
Her gut says Sarah, like countless innocent crime victims, was doing what she was supposed to be doing when she crossed paths with something—or someone—dangerous.
Her gut has a lot to say, dammit.
What if Reverend Bauer isn’t really in Mexico?
What if he’s back in Mulberry Bay?
What if he hurt Sarah?