Page 19 of Mia Amata

“Eva,” Lauren stated.

“I would like to talk to her if possible.”

“That is up to her, but I don’t think she would have a problem speaking with you. She is in class right now at the university.”

Allen asked Lauren a couple more questions, then said, “Here is my card. If you remember seeing anything or have anything you think might help, no matter how insignificant it may seem, please give me a call.”

“I will, Detective,” Lauren wondered how much she could push the subject. “Detective?” He had gotten up and was headed to the door, but he turned to her “I was just wondering, I saw a news report that said she was thought to have been killed. Is it normal policy to keep investigating after the missing person has been ruled dead?”

For a moment or two, Lauren thought she had gone too far, she could see the cold anger in his eyes briefly. “Her body was not recovered. We are just covering all the bases before closing the case completely.” With that, he turned and walked out the door.

Lauren knew she needed to just get up and go right back to work, like it was no big deal so that others did not become suspicious. She wished she could call Eva to warn her that Allen was on his way to question her, but she couldn’t risk being overheard by others in the office. Lauren and Eva had discussed this type of situation many times, so she believed that Eva would be able to handle the situation smoothly. It would be better if it appeared like Eva was not expecting Allen’s visit.

***

Eva was on her way to the library after class to do some research for a paper she had to write for one of her classes. She was walking with a couple of her friends. They were discussing the class they just left and the next assignment for it. When they got close to the library, one of the friends went on to a different class while Eva and her remaining friend headed into the library.

They found a table near some windows, sat down, taking out their laptops, discussing the assignment for the paper. They discussed several possible ideas, bouncing ideas back and forth. Finally, they both settled on what they wanted to write about and started to do some research on their laptops. They sat in silence for about an hour, taking notes and making a list of references they wanted to look at in more depth.

“Excuse me,” a male voice said. Both girls looked up to see a guy standing at the end of their table.

“Can we help you?” Eva’s friend asked. It was obvious she thought he was very attractive, trying to flirt with him.

“I’m looking for Eva Mitchell.” Not showing the slightest bit of interest in Eva’s friend.

Eva and her friend glanced at each other. Eva looked at him, “Who are you?”

“I’m Detective Allen Davis. Are you Eva?” Eva had recognized him, but she managed to hide that from him.

“Yes, I am.”

“I’d like to ask you a couple of questions if I could.” Eva’s friend was looking at Eva with a questioning look, still disappointed that the detective wasn’t interested in her.

“Questions about what?” Eva asked.

“I’m investigating a missing person case,” Allen stated. “I just need a few minutes of your time.”

“Have a seat,” Eva stated. “This is my friend. Is it OK if she stays here?”

Allen pulled a chair out from the table and sat down. “That’s fine with me.”

He proceeded to ask Eva the same questions he had asked her mom earlier, showing her the same pictures. Eva pretty much answered the same as her mom had done. He handed her his card, asking her to call him if she thought of something. She agreed to do so. She watched him walk away, then pretended to lose interest going back to her research. Her friend shrugged her shoulders, deciding not to think anything of it, and went back to her report also.

They worked on their reports for another hour until the librarian came around to let them know the library was closing in a few minutes. They gathered up their stuff and walked out to the parking lot. They chatted for a little bit by their cars, then climbed into their cars to drive home. On the way home, Eva wondered if Detective Davis had talked to her mom. She had wanted to text or call her, but that might have made her friend suspicious.

She watched for cars as she drove home that could possibly be following her, but she never saw anything that made her suspicious. She arrived home shortly after her mother did. She took her backpack to her room and heard her mom in the kitchen getting supper started. She joined her mom in the kitchen and sat down at the table, telling her mom about the detective questioning her at the library.

Lauren told her daughter that he had questioned her at work as well. They compared notes, both agreed that they had handled the situation well and that Allen did not seem suspicious that they knew anything at all. They then discussed whether they should share the information with Mattie or keep it quiet.

“What do we gain by telling her that we talked to her husband today?” Eva asked. “I think that she would become super stressed, and she doesn’t need that.”

“I agree,” Lauren said. “But is it fair to her to not tell her? I am thinking that maybe I will call Audra and ask her opinion of it.”

“That is a good idea,” Eva commented, “But I do feel it would cause her a lot of stress for no reason. If he believed us, then he would not think twice about us. Not to mention that she will probably be on her way the day after tomorrow.”

“I know,” Lauren sighed. “I am torn between telling her because she has a right to know or protecting her from this.”

“Exactly. I do understand your point.”

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