The Stolen - Jason Pinter [37]
one thing, there haven't been any suspects arrested in his
kidnapping or disappearance, and from my talks with the
detectives in Hobbs County they're looking as hard for him
as O.J. is for the real killer."
"I'm waiting to hear what this has to do with me."
"I'm getting to that. So I interviewed Danny for that
story..."
"Danny?"
"Yeah, that's what he likes to be called now. Anyway,
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during the interview, he said something kind of strange.
He used the word brothers. As in more than one. And he
used it several times, even when I corrected him, like his
brain was hardwired to do it. But Danny's only got one
brother. It might have been a slip of the tongue, but there's
also a chance he retained something from his disappearance, something about his kidnappers or where he was.
Maybe he remembers somebody else, somebody his own
age, being wherever he's been the past five years."
Amanda sat, listened intently. She felt the familiar rush
Henry got when he was excited about a story, the same
sense of pride she felt (used to feel) when she was proud
of her man.
"I did some digging," he continued, "and it turns out a
girl named Michelle Oliveira went missing several years
before Danny. Similar circumstances, both children disappearing without a trace, then suddenly reappearing out
of nowhere, remembering nothing about their disappearance. No suspects ever arrested. Nobody ever found out
how or why she went missing."
"I think I get where this is going."
Henry nodded. "Michelle Oliveira's records are sealed,"
he said. Henry waited, knowing she would respond.
"But you know I have access to them at the legal aid
society."
"That's right."
"That's why you called me."
Henry stayed silent, looked at Amanda, his eyes full
of remorse. It was genuine. "I've been an asshole. I'm
not apologizing again, we both know that's over and
done with. But this is important. It's a boy's life,
Amanda, and I didn't know who else I could turn to or
trust. I still trust you."
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"I don't know if I trust you."
"I'm not asking you to trust me. I'm asking you to help
me for the sake of someone else."
Amanda was struck by the tone of his voice, the sense
of coldness. But she knew it wasn't meant to hurt her. In
a way it was meant to protect her.
"I'm not asking you to take me back, or anything like
that. I know you don't want to. I'm asking you to help
because you're the only person I know who can do this, who
has access to those records. The only person who would do
this. Something is wrong with this story, and I need to know
what." He added, "For Danny Linwood's sake."
Amanda sat for a moment. A cool breeze whipped
through the park. She watched a smiling couple holding
hands, eating sandwiches just a few feet from them, as
though their whole lives existed in this small world where
problems were as light as the leaves. She thought about
her life, what it was like before and after Henry. How
there didn't seem to be enough of it lived.
"I can get you those records," she said. "But that's all
I'll do. I'll help you with whatever information you need
in regard to this Oliveira girl, but I'm not going to ask for
anything in return. And I don't even want you to offer."
"I won't," he said, though the words seemed hard for
him to say.
Amanda stood up. Smoothed out her skirt. Henry
stood as well.
"Michelle Oliveira?" Henry nodded. Amanda clutched
her purse, felt the sharp edges of her keys. "I'll call you
later when I get the files. One thing, I'll only give them to
you in person. I could get in deep doo-doo if my supervisor knows I'm doing this, so I'll contact you discreetly.
Don't send me any e-mails, don't call or text message. I
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don't even want to see a carrier pigeon. You might trust
me, but I sure as hell don't trust Verizon."
"That's a deal."
"Then I'll call you," she said. Amanda turned around
to leave.
"Hey, Amanda," Henry said.
"Yeah?"
"It was good to see you."
"I'll call you," she said, glad the