Page 17 of So Insane

It was interesting to Faith how much appearances mattered, even during matters of life and death.

"Tyler was going to get a job at the new distribution center," Mr. Stone said, "and he was excited about the future. He wouldn't just pack up and leave."

He spoke with more emphasis than necessary, trying to convince himself as much as anyone else. Nobody had asked yet if he might go on a trip or leave the area. Faith had a feeling that Mr. Stone suspected that Tyler had just jumped ship rather than make that last leap into adulthood.

"Can you tell me what Tyler likes to do?" she asked.

Mr. Stone spoke up first. "Tyler loves hiking in the mountains and exploring. He likes those video games. He used to go out with his friends, but they're all moved away now with jobs and families and everything."

“Anything illegal?” Faith asked.

Mr. Stone frowned. “Why would you ask that?”

Faith pondered how to phrase the answer, but Michael took care of it.

“Oftentimes, underemployed young people will seek alternative means of employment,” Michael said, “up to and including illicit means. If Tyler was involved in such activities, it’s possible that he may have associates who could provide information on his whereabouts.”

“Oh, no,” Mrs. Stone said. “He wasn’t involved in anything illegal. Our sun is not a criminal.”

Said the mother of every criminal that ever lived, Faith thought. “So he never engaged in any illicit behavior.”

“Well, nothing serious,” Mrs. Stone demurred. “Just some harmless fun.”

"Harmless fun?" Faith asked.

"You know," Mr. Stone replied, "what kids do. Dares and stuff. Break a mailbox. Sneak into someone's backyard, drink some beer from their cooler. That kind of thing."

"He did that with his friends," Mr. Stone insisted. “When he was much younger. Our son is many things, but he is not foolish enough to get involved with drug dealers or thieves or any other kind of criminal element.”

"When was the last time you spoke to Tyler?" Michael asked.

"I sent him money last month," Mrs. Stone said, avoiding eye contact with her husband when she did. He frowned slightly but said nothing. "He was doing fine. He wanted to get clothes so he would look good when he interviewed for the job."

Faith nodded. "And he seemed happy, excited for the future?"

The woman nodded, and Faith said, "Excuse us, please. Can I bring you some water or some coffee?" Both of them shook their heads. “Very well,” Faith said. “We’ll be back in a moment.”

She and Michael walked from the room, and she said, "Without Tooley, this is just a case of someone lost in the woods.”

He nodded. "I’ll be anything it’s the same with Ms. Montpelier. They'd have people doing a sweep of the forests."

"They just want Bureau resources behind the search for this guy.” Faith said.

“Well, can you blame them?” Michael asked.

“No,” she said, “I’m just saying.”

Michael sighed. “Well, chances are we’ll have this wrapped up in a few days. One way or another.”

Faith could hear the frustration in his voice. “Thank you,” she said. “For coming. I know it was hard—”

“Just…” Michael waved his hand like he was shooing her away. “Just don’t, Faith. Let’s focus on the case and get back home, okay?”

Faith lowered her eyes and nodded.

“Should we grab a coffee from the break room so it looks like we stepped outside for a reason?” Michael asked.

Faith nodded. “Yeah. Sure.”

---