Read Online The Disappearance by J. F. Freedman - Free Book Online

we are semipublic figures, and that we ourselves are members of the media, and that we are, and unfortunately will continue to be, news. But, please, folks—this is a horrible time for us. We ask that you act decently, and give us some space to try and put our lives back together.”
    A few reporters, not heeding his entreaties, begin to shout questions at him. But he turns his back on them and goes into his house.
    The television reporters, including one from his station, do their standups with the house in the background. Then they all pack up and leave, and the house stands alone in darkness.
    The postmortem comes back two days later.
    Glenna and Doug are in their house. Williams stands in front of them, feeling incredibly ill at ease. When he saw the coroner’s report an hour ago he couldn’t believe it, but Dr. Limones, the county coroner, assured him that there could be no doubt the findings were accurate.
    Williams has the document with him. He reads from it. “Cause of death was from an object striking the head.”
    “Was she sexually assaulted?” Glenna asks hoarsely.
    She’s been up and around since yesterday, after she woke up, first from the sleep-shock of hearing the news, then from the sedative their doctor had given her, she decided she couldn’t keep doing this—denying what had happened and opting out from living. Now she sits on a couch with Doug, steeling herself to hear the worst. Emma’s dead, so whatever happened, it’s in the past.
    “She had …” Williams pauses. “There is evidence of sexual activity.”
    Glenna moans.
    Williams looks pained. “But not necessarily forced entry,” he says quickly.
    She looks up sharply. “What do you mean?”
    “There had been penetration,” he stammers. He dreads what he has to say next. “The coroner’s conclusion is that the sexual activity … may have been consensual.”
    Glenna goes ballistic. “Are you insane?” she cries. “She was fourteen years old! She was kidnapped from her bedroom! She’s only been having her period a year, for Christsakes! Let me see that.” She tries to grab the autopsy report from his hand.
    Doug restrains her. “Glenna, don’t.” He looks at Williams. “Is this true?” he asks incredulously.
    “I’m afraid it is.”
    “Oh, man!” Doug pushes the heels of his hands up against the tops of his eye sockets. “This is going to turn the search for her killer in a whole other direction, isn’t it?”
    “I don’t know,” Williams answers truthfully.
    “Doesn’t this indicate that whoever took her might have known her?”
    “It might. It’s certainly a possibility we have to consider.”
    “Oh, man, this is …” Doug doesn’t know what to say to this excruciating piece of information.
    “She was sexually active.” Glenna’s dull voice pulls him around. “Those rubbers up in the gazebo. Someone was using them on her. With her,” she amends.
    “For what it’s worth, I don’t think her having been active has anything to do with the other,” Williams says.
    “You just said …” Doug says.
    “That it might influence the investigation? That whoever took her might have known her? It’s theoretically possible, but my cop’s gut instinct tells me it isn’t. I think this was either an act done by a sexual deviate, or a kidnapping for money that went wrong.”
    Doug has been pacing the floor. “Who’s going to know about this?”
    “That’s up to the district attorney. He can seal the report and keep it confidential. If he thinks that’s in the public interest,” he adds pointedly.
    Ray Logan is the D.A. Doug knows him well—the station endorsed Ray in the special election that was called after the popular incumbent, Luke Garrison, abruptly announced he was resigning, walked out of his office, and disappeared off the face of the earth. Ray owes Doug.
    “Anything else?” he asks Williams. “What about leaks from the coroner’s office? Or yours.”
    “I’m the only one in my