Джордан Шор - The Search

George was just about to steer the conversation further away from the press conference by asking who Janet was, but when he noticed Mike’s hostile stare, he assumed his boss had understood his attempt at changing the subject.

“Let’s wait a few days at least, and give the feds time to release the information before we do. We can coordinate on Monday, and if you still see the need to disclose the complaint against Captain Daniels, then we can call a press conference on Tuesday.”

George had no intention of helping his boss prepare for a press conference on Tuesday. In fact, he’d rather resign as public relations manager. But he hoped his boss would change his mind before Monday. Once again, George thought of Trisha Boyle and how desperate she’d sounded to keep her job.

Mike Williams nodded hesitantly, seeming to reluctantly agree. “That’ll be all, George. Thanks for coming in early. I hope it didn’t interfere with your plan to visit your sister in the hospital this morning.”

“The plan is to visit her tomorrow morning instead. I won’t be gone for more than a few hours.”

“Take your time,” Mike told him. “Also, Cayla won’t be coming in today. I’ll conduct her job as the ECC for now, and I’ll let you know if we have any new developments.”

Or I could just watch the news , George thought before saying, “Sure.”

George didn’t plan to do much work the rest of the day, except for updating the company website with the information already known to the public. He imagined he’d spend most of his time writing a letter to his sister—the letter he’d promised his mom he would read to his sister during the next day’s visit to the hospital.

“I’ll be attending tomorrow’s early morning mass,” Mike suddenly announced as George was about to leave the office.

George thought his boss sounded guilty for having skipped church last Sunday, and it made him wonder if Mike had even left his office at all for the past seven days.

“I’ll be sure to include your sister in my prayers.”

George tilted his head and forced a polite smile before he left.

Saturday afternoon

They’d followed the creek, which eventually merged with a lake.

The sky was clear. Julie unzipped her jacket, and closed her eyes as she faced the sun. She took the elastic band from her hair, put it on her wrist, and ruffled her long hair in the small breeze from the lake. Julie was alone, as Jack had gone up the hill to get a better view of the surroundings.

“Help!” A male voice echoed across the landscape.

Julie rose to her feet and yelled, “What’s happening?”

Julie looked anxiously toward the steep hillside.

“Help!” Jack yelled from the top of the hill.

Julie looked terrified as Jack ran down the hillside in panic. His legs got tangled up and he lost his footage, and began rolling down the hill, desperately trying to get back on his feet. Julie took a few steps backward and fell to the ground.

“What’s wrong?” Julie’s voice cracked.

Julie had her eyes fixed on the surroundings behind Jack, squinting at the terrain. Jack ran toward her, waving his hand and encouraging her to stand up.

“We have to leave now,” Jack said, as soon as he reached Julie.

Julie looked petrified and out of breath. Her nostrils kept flaring. She remained on the ground and made no attempt to move.

“There are people on the other side of the lake.”

“People?”

“A woman sunbathing,” Jack said. “We need to get to the other side before she leaves.”

“Sunbathing?”

“She’s tanning,” Jack responded. “We need to leave right away.”

“There’s no bear?”

Jack frowned, and looked up the hill. “I’m sorry, Julie.”

“I thought it was a bear, Jack.”

Julie wiped her tears with her jacket sleeve, her tears mixing with the bloodstains.

“We have to go,” Jack said, and focused on Julie’s sleeve. Then he glanced at her forehead, but said nothing more.

I am a liar. (pause) I lied to you for almost as long as I knew you, but I only did it to protect you. I didn’t want him to ruin your life the way he ruined mine. That’s why I stayed away for so long, because I couldn’t lie to you anymore, Mamma. He was your friend, and he broke me when I was eight years old. He said it was the only way I could ever learn, and (say his name) made sure I’d swallowed every time. (pause) I had to lie to protect you, and I had to hide to protect myself. That’s why I ate so much, I didn’t want to be the victim. I can’t be the victim, Mamma. I don’t know how. (pause) I’d rather be the fat guy. (pause) I’m sorry for not being there, and I’m sorry you died alone. (pause) I hope you can forgive me.

Saturday afternoon

Jack looked enraged as he stared at Nancy’s remains, Julie still on his back.

“Why is she naked?” Jack mumbled.

There was a sound of dry heaves. Julie appeared to be gagging.

Jack looked over his shoulder. “Don’t throw up, Julie. You’ll just be worse off. Look the other way.”

“It’s the smell.” Julie clamped her nose.

Jack set Julie down by a distant rock, both of them staring at Nancy’s remains.

“Why is she naked?”

“Perhaps Kevin took her clothes,” Julie said. “We took Andrew’s clothes.”

“He didn’t have to take her bra.” Jack grimaced. “I mean, he could’ve at least turned her over.”

“I’m pretty sure she wasn’t wearing a bra,” Julie responded. “But you’re right. Kevin wouldn’t have left her like that. Perhaps she died naked.”

“Why would she take of her clothes?”

“People who suffer from hypothermia often take their clothes off. Just before they freeze to death, they actually feel warm,” Julie said. “Or, perhaps she was confused, and just took off her clothes, for some reason. Perhaps she was sunbathing.”

“I’ll have a look around, and see if I can find her clothes.” Jack walked a few steps, but then suddenly stopped. “I heard someone yell.”

Julie looked around. “I didn’t hear anything.”

“No, I meant before, when I screamed for help from the other side of the lake.”

Julie’s shoulders collapsed. “That was me. I heard you yell, so I yelled back.”

Jack took a deep breath, exhaled loudly, and looked a bit embarrassed.

He was only gone for a few minutes, then he returned with a purple cable knit sweater and a pair of white denim jeans. He sat down next to Julie, and handed her a cell phone.

“Where did you find this?”

“It was in her pants’ pocket.”

“She had a phone all along?”

“No, she said her phone was in her purse, which she left in the plane.”

“No, that was me, Jack. I told you that, remember?”

“I remember, but Nancy told me the same thing.”

“Then where did she get the…” Julie trailed off, and sighed. “Andrew must have startled her. Or perhaps, he hurt his head when he tripped, and she found him that way. Perhaps she took his phone to call for help.”

“Either way, it was an accident,” Jack said in a decisive tone. “Perhaps we can start a fire if we reflect the sun rays from the phone screen.”

After some deliberation, they decided to leave Nancy’s remains the way they found them. They kept walking southwest, and left the lake behind them. Just as the forest began to thin out, the sun started to descend. They settled down by a large pine tree next to a giant rock. However, every attempt to make a fire failed.

Jack suddenly rose to his feet and hurled the phone into a tree. Then, he raised his arms and folded his hands on top of his head, his massive biceps stretching the fabric of the black blazer.