Page 8 of Elsie's Strong Shelter

“Make it three. Are you done eating?”

Jimmy nodded.

“Then go finish getting ready so Elsie can get you on the bus.”

Jimmy jumped from his chair and ran to the hall. He stopped suddenly and turned back to face them, frowning. “Do you think Mrs. Pauly’s all right?”

His question knocked Elsie off center as she struggled to put a face to the name. “Who’s Mrs. Pauly?”

“You know. The lady she helps sometimes. Mama says we have to look out for those who can’t help themselves. That’s what she does for Mrs. Pauly.”

His matter-of-fact statement brought tears to her eyes. She sniffed them back. “I’m sure she’s just fine.”

Taking her word, he nodded then continued to his room.

Dean rested a hand on her shoulder and gave a little squeeze. “Do you know who he’s talking about?”

“No,” she said, grateful for his presence.

“As soon as I clean up, I’ll make some calls. Maybe Mrs. Pauly knows where we can find Mila.”

Dean wipedhis hands on the kitchen towel and tossed it on the counter. Dishes were washed and put away, leftovers stored in the fridge. Elsie waited outside with Jimmy for the bus. Now was the perfect time to make a few calls.

Grabbing his phone, he dialed Mila’s workplace again. Someone may be in the office now. After four rings he feared he was out of luck, but at the fifth someone finally answered.

“Good morning. Hometown Helpers, this Ana. How can I assist you, today?”

“Hi, Ana. I need to speak with Tamara. Is she in yet?”

“One second please.”

Elevator music blared in his ear. He rummaged through a few drawers and searched for a pen and paper. Finding what he needed, he refilled his mug with fresh coffee and sat at the table.

“Hello, this is Tamara.”

A twinge of irritation muddled the relief at finally touching base with Mila’s boss. He’d hoped the woman would have called him immediately after hearing Mila hadn’t come home once her shift had ended. “Hi. My name is Dean Kingston. I left a message for you.”

“Yes, I was just about to return your call. I pulled up Mila’s schedule from last night and personally spoke with all her clients myself. She visited each one and completed her shift. As always, no complaints.”

Resting his elbow on the table, Dean sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “When you spoke with the last client Mila saw, did they mention if she planned to stop anywhere after work? Was she upset or irritated? Acting strangely?”

“The man I spoke with only said Mila had arrived on time and left on time.” A beat of hesitation pulsed on the line. “Has she still not returned home?”

“No, and we haven’t heard from her at all. Her roommate is extremely worried, and I’ve spoken with a deputy at the sheriff’s department. Any information you can give might be helpful in locating her.”

Tamara released a shaky breath. “If I knew anything, I’d tell you. I promise. Mila is a great worker and a sweet girl. I’d hate if anything happened to her.”

“Is it possible for me to speak with the last person she cared for?” He tapped the tip of his pencil against the pad of paper, needing something he could use to start a trail.

“I’m…I’m sorry. I’m not allowed to give out that information.”

Damn red tape. He’d been around long enough to understand the bureaucratic regulations around the medical field were better left to badges and warrants. “I get it, and I don’t want you to do anything to get in trouble.”

Elsie walked into the room and leaned against the counter. Her body was rigid, her fears written all over her face as she stared at him and chewed her thumbnail.

He offered her a weak smile. “I have one more question for you,” he said, continuing his conversation with Tamara. “Did Mila visit Mrs. Pauly last night?”

“Umm, Mrs. Pauly is no longer one of our clients. She hasn’t been in Mila’s rotation for the past month.”

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