6: Responders
About two hours later, Ralph and his flatbed tow truck are on the scene, as well as the Pittsville PD.
“Give us a couple days to get it fixed, Officer White. We should have it back on the road by, I’d say, Wednesday.”
Officer White responds, “Sounds good, Ralph. Keep us posted.”
Monica has managed to keep it together but panic is setting in.
”It doesn’t make any sense, officers. He gets out of the van for like five minutes and then disappears? I’m terrified that something bad or someone bad has gotten him.”
Sheriff Grady tries to steady the situation. “Mrs. Kingdom, please don’t worry. Our officers will stay here and keep searching for your husband as long as it takes. We will find him, I can assure you.”
“I hope so.”
Officer White steps in, “Mrs. Kingdom, let’s get you and the kids to the station and go over all the details.”
Sheriff Grady huddles with the other officers. “Look guys, who knows what’s going on here? Do a really good sweep of the area and be back at the station by midnight.”
“Stop by Chad’s on the way back, too. He better not have caused another incident,” Sheriff Grady adds as they all disperse.
“Max and Lucy, we’re going to the police station and some officers will stay here to look for your Dad.”
“But Mom! We can’t just leave him out there and hope these dudes find him. That’s crazy!”
“I know, Lucy. This is all crazy and terrifying, but we have to trust them and have faith that your Dad is ok. He just got lost is all.”