Gone

By charles fisher

Carla takes on the Park Service in an attempt to find two missing girls .... what she discovers leads her on a chase from Rainier Park in Washington all the way to Cambridge, Vermont and caribou, Maine. Based on real events. NO government official or agency will discuss the 1600 people who have vanished in our nationial parks. Believe me, I tried. They ignore you.

• Language: English
• Publisher: charles fisher
• Release date: Feb 5, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201449315

Book preview

Organization of the Department

Police Commissioner Carole Larsen

Assistant Police Commissioner Tracy O’Neil

Chief of Police Clarence Jackson,  Stratford

Chief of Police Carla Larsen, Lordship, State District Attorney, US Attorney, FBI Agent

Chief of Detectives of the Department Margo Wilder-Williams, Lordship

Chief of Patrol Vito Antonelli

Chief of Detectives Harper Boone Cochran, US  Attorney, FBI Agent, Lordship

Detective Lieutenant  Rebel Lee Cantrell  Detective Squad, Lordship

Detective First Grade Perry Marie Politano

Detective First Grade Wang Shu

Detective First Grade  Tanner Lee Addison  Lordship

Detective Third  Grade Jacqueline Jasper DOB 1993

Detective First Grade Clodagh McGuire (Clo-da) DOB December 10, 1995 Lordship

Detective Third Grade Rose Carmichael  Lordship

Detective Third  Grade Erin O’Brady DOB 1999 Lordship

Captain of Detectives of the Department Jolene Barrett   Detective  Squad, Stratford

Detective First Grade  Tara Al-Shaziri

Detective Third Grade Melinda Washington

Detective Third  Grade Domenic Antonelli

Detective Second  Grade Rebecca Jane Campbell

Detective Third  Grade Kelly Nemergut

Sergeant of the Department Pat Kennedy Senior Stratford

Sergeant of Dispatch Pat Kennedy Junior

Sixty five Uniform Patrol Officers Stratford

Captain of Patrol  Cormac Findlay Lordship

Sergeant of the Department Finn O’Sullivan Lordship

Fifteen Uniform Patrol Officers Lordship

State of Connecticut Department of Criminal Justice

Assistant District Attorney for Fairfield County and United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Connecticut at Bridgeport, Donna J. Melito

District Attorney Brenda Tuscadero DiCenzo, Fairfield County

Assistant District Attorney Corinne Mathews, Fairfield County

The Honorable Allan Stevens, Superior Court Judge

The Honorable Paul Smallcock, Superior Court Judge

GONE

Missing in America

Stratford Police Department

900 Longbrook Ave.

Stratford, Connecticut

November, 2008

––––––––

Yes, I’ll tell her, Carole said softly after hearing the woman’s story. Yes, she will get right back you. No, it doesn’t matter that this didn’t happen in Connecticut. She will help you. Thanks for calling. Carole hung up and sat back in her chair. My God, she whispered. Not this.

Carla came in fifteen minutes later with Harper, who was staring malevolently at Carla.

What you lookin’ at, Audrey? Carla grinned.

Something science hasn’t been able to define, other than the horrible smell coming from your oversized rotten ass, Harper snapped. You farted in the car, and you locked my window. I think I have black lung disease, Harper grinned at Carole. I need time off with pay. Six months away from Swamp Ass would be about right.

Denied, Carole said. Carla got a call from Washington State. A woman’s eight year old daughter disappeared off a bike trail in Mt. Rainier National Park, not too far from where they live. She went out at ten A.M. yesterday and never came back. She’s just gone. The woman heard about you and wants you to help. Go do it.

Pack up, Shifty, Carla said to Harper. You got an hour. Carole, get me three tickets to Washington State. Me, Shifty, and Tanner Lee. Time is of the essence. Have a small plane ready at Sikorsky to take us to Bradley.

I thought you hated to fly, Carole said.

I do, Carla said. But that kid’s life is worth more than my fears. You know why, too. I had this on my mind for a long time. It is time to figure this out. People do not vanish for no good reason.

They do in America, Carole said.

Not this time, Carla said. I am gonna find that kid, one way or another.

I just hope you find her alive, Carole said.

I hope so too, Carla said. You go see Bubba and see what he knows.

Bubba’s Adult Emporium

Barnum Avenue

Stratford, Connecticut

November, 2008

Somethin’ I can do for you? Bill Clinton said as he came out with a fake mustache and sunglasses.

Knock it off, Bill, Carole sighed. It’s me; Carole.

Oh, it be you, Carole, Bill rasped. I thought it might be Hillary. Man got to be careful these days. You see somethin’ like her and you could go blind. Next worst thing is that daughter who says she is mine.

Get a DNA test, Carole sighed.

I cannot do that; the way they want to get my DNA is not covered in the Code of Federal Regulations, Bill grinned. They say a fam’ly member got to do it, which means Hillary. I cannot let her near my junk.

Why not? Carole laughed. Half the country has had access to your junk.

That is justifiable fornication, Bill grinned. Y’all want to see her picture and tell me I done wrong? he said, reaching for the drawstring that operated the black curtain that covered Hillary’s portrait.

No thanks. I didn’t come here to argue about your marital situation. Carla needs your help.

I did not have sexual relations with ....

Stop, Carole said. Somebody’s eight year old kid disappeared in Mt. Rainier National Park.

Too bad it wasn’t Horse Face, Bill sighed. What happened?

She vanished off a bike trail inside the park, very close to where she lives.

Lots of people disappear in them parks, Bill said, looking away.

Don’t give me that perp look, Carole said. Do you know something about this?

Same day, different victim, Bill said. Nobody knows what is going on in them places.

Yes they do, Carole said. They just won’t tell the truth about it. They refuse to release any reports or information. Help this girl, Bill.

You ..... my God. I do not believe I got dragged into this. The National Park Service will not release any information about missing persons other than a generic search report. You ask for anything else, you do not get an answer.

Why not? Carole said.

Money, Bill sighed. National Parks collect a lot of revenue for the government. You start talkin’ about disappearances, that income goes to zero. What would you do?

I’d do the right thing and find that little girl, Carole said. Apparently you don’t care about her. Carla does. You’d better help her, or you’ll be next on her list of people we don’t need anymore. Do what’s right, Bill.

National Park Service

Department of the Interior

1849 C Street NW

Washington, DC 20240

November, 2008

Oh, good afternoon, Mr. President, Mallory Eveleigh, Counselor to the Secretary said. How have you been? she smirked as she put the call on speakerphone and began pumping her fist up and down in her lap, to the joy of her office mates.

I’m fine, Bill Clinton said. You?

Better than I deserve, Mallory said. How may I help you?

You got a girl missing in Rainier Park. Lives nearby and rides her bike on them trails. I want that gal found. There are three Detectives from Connecticut on their way out there to help. You give them girls any help they want.

I am sure the Park Service will find her, Mallory sighed. I assume the girl’s parents filed a report, correct?

They did. I just want to make sure she is found.

I will make your concerns known, Mallory said. I’m sure that will have an effect on the urgency of the search. She opened her mouth and pumped her fist in front of it. Her secretary got up and ran for the bathroom.

You hear what I told you, Mallory? Bill said.

Yes, I did, and I will make sure the Service knows you have a stake in this. With all due respect, you are a former President and cannot issue orders to the Service.

Okay, Bill shrugged. You want to find out just how much stroke I got left?

No, I do not. However, I work for the Director. I must follow his orders, not yours.

Somebody from that police department  is gonna come see you along the way. You will change your tune then, Mallory. You gonna cooperate or not?

I follow all directives of the National Park Service. I assure you, every effort to find that girl will be made.

You did not answer my question, Bill said. I am a master of doin’ that myself.

So we have seen. I have to go now. It was nice talking to you.

You got kids? Bill said.

You ... know I do not, Mallory said.

Yeah, I do. Say hello to your wife for me, Bill said, and slammed the phone down.

Rotten no good son of a bitch, Mallory hissed. Those cops show up here, you show them the door. He probably wants that girl found so he can have sex with her.

Residence of Colleen O’Brady

Paradise Road East

Longmire, Washington

November, 2008

Hi, Carla said when tall, beautiful dark haired Colleen came to the door. I am Carla Larsen. This is Harper Cochran, my partner. Other gal is Detective Tanner Lee Addison.

Come in, Colleen said. God bless you for coming. I didn’t know where to turn, and I remembered you from the 911 hearings. I thought if anybody would help me, it would be you.

And we will, Carla said. We will do our best, but there ain’t no guarantees in a case like this. You got to be prepared for anything. Your husband here?

He’s in Arlington Cemetery, Colleen said. He was killed in Iraq in 2003.

I am sorry for your loss, Carla said. Tell me about the girl.

Erin is all I have, Colleen cried.

I know that. You got any clothes of hers you ain’t washed yet?

Yes, in the hamper. Why do you need those?"

Dogs, Carla said. I put in a call to the best tracker in these here Yoo-nited States. He is from Kansas, like me. Bet y’all thought I was a Yankee, huh, she grinned.

Well, you do not sound like a New Englander, Colleen said.

Where y’all from?

Boston. Old Irish family. We moved here when Bill was stationed at Fort Lewis back in 1998.

We got two gals from Ireland on our department you will like; Assistant Commissioner Tracy O’Neil and Chief Margo Wilder-Williams. They are gonna have a talk with the Park Service and may show up here to help. They do not take any shit from nobody, and neither do me and Harper.

Me either, Colleen said. I was in the Marine Corps for four years right out of high school. I can kick ass.

I got to ask you some stupid questions, Carla said as they sat down in the living room. No offense meant; just part of the job. You have any boyfriends recent like who got a problem with you?

No. I haven’t dated anybody since Bill was killed. I don’t go to bars or anyplace where I would even meet men. I have no interest in that right now.

Any registered sex offenders in the area?

Not that I know of.

Anybody at Erin’s school give her any trouble? Teachers, I mean.

No. Not a thing. She’s an A student.

You hit her or go overboard with discipline?

No. She is very well behaved. I never have to discipline her.

She gonna say that when I find her?

Absolutely.

Any relatives in the area?

None.

Must be kinda lonely for her, livin’ here. She ever complain?

No. She loves the place; I hate it. I’d leave in a minute if it weren’t for her. She’s a nature type. Miss Tarzan, I call her.

She rides her bike on trails in the Park accordin’ to what Carole told me. Which one, and where is it?

Trail of the Shadows. It runs parallel to our road about 200 feet north of it, then turns due north about 600 feet later on the eastern side. The western side leads to the Rampart Ridge Trail which also goes due north. She rarely goes very far; maybe a mile or so. She doesn’t like the Rampart Trail.

She say why?

She said it’s creepy.

Harper will ask you some questions now.

I’m very sorry for the loss of your husband, Harper said, taking Colleen’s hand. We support the military at all costs.

Thank you.

You said Erin doesn’t like that Rampart trail. Did you ever go with her?

I rode my dirt bike behind her a couple of times, just to see where she rides. I do not ride a bicycle like she does; I have a leg condition.

What is that condition? Harper said.

I cannot say.

There are no secrets with us, Harper said. Carla and I are both United States Attorneys and are sworn to the NSA Oath. Talk to me.

I was shot by a sniper in Afghanistan, Colleen said. I was one of only four female snipers in the Marine  Corps. My missions are classified. Officially, the Marines will not admit to having female snipers. I lived, the guy who shot me didn’t.

You must be a good shot, Harper said.

I am. I shot a quarter off a tree stump at a thousand yards.

Damn, Carla muttered. That be some fine shootin’.

Don’t pay any attention to her, Harper said. She thinks she’s a reincarnated gunfighter from the old west.

Maybe she is, Colleen said.

Okay, let’s stick to the case. How did you feel when you went up that Rampart Trail? You must have good instincts, having been a Marine.

It was very ... I can’t describe it. Erin was right. I felt like I was being watched. I was trained for that, being a sniper. We are always target number one for the enemy. I saw nothing out of the ordinary, but I know I was being watched. We high tailed it out of there and I told Erin never to go back there.

Do you think she would disobey you and go back there?

Never, Colleen said. She was as disturbed by the place as I was.

Does she carry a cell phone? Harper said.

Yes. I received no calls, and neither did 911.

She carry a transponder? That’s a satellite device that tracks you.

No. I know what it is; snipers carry them. I can’t afford one of those.

She ride alone, or does she have friends?

Alone, mostly. There aren’t that many people living here. She has some friends at school, but they aren’t the adventurous type. They don’t ride the trails. Misty Parmenter went with her a few times, but then she stopped.

Misty give a reason?

Not really. She was evasive; said her parents didn’t want her riding around in the woods. They were afraid of bears or something. They were idiots from back east; New York City. They live right down the road.

Your daughter pack a gun? Harper said.

No. I trained her to shoot, but she’s too young to carry. That would make trouble for me if she got caught.

She pack any self defense weapons? Knife, Mace, anything?

No. That’s all illegal here. This is Liberal Hell. The only people allowed to carry weapons in Washington are the criminals.

Okay, Harper said. One more thing; does she have any interest in the paranormal? You know; UFOs, Alien Abductions, things like that.

She listens to that crazy radio show at night, Colleen said. Coast to Coast AM. I tried to tell her it’s all made up bullshit, but she wouldn’t listen.

Y’all ever listen to that show? Carla said.

Once or twice. Why?

It ain’t all made up bullshit, Carla nodded. We got evy-dence to prove that, but we will not go into that. Important thing be to find your daughter. Take us to that trail she rides. Park Service start a search?

They said they would; I haven’t heard from them since.

You will, real soon. And they ain’t gonna like it one damn bit. Ruck up, girl. We are going on the trail.

––––––––

Trail of the Shadows

Mt. Rainier National Park

Washington State

November, 2008

I don’t like this, Harper groused as they picked their way through the brush. There could be cooties in here, and my foot hurts.

What a wimp, Tanner Lee sighed.

Where did you get her? Colleen whispered to Carla as they emerged on the trail.

Ding Dong School, Carla grinned. She be a city gal from Atlanta. Don’t like the cold or the woods. She is tough, though; she is a pro rassler. You do not want to get in a fight with her.

They looked up and down the trail; Carla sniffed a pair of Erin’s panties Colleen had provided, then sniffed the air for a minute. There, she said, pointing to the left.

That’s where the Rampart Trail is, Colleen said. She’d never go that way.

Might not have had a choice, Carla said. But that is the direction she went.

Don’t doubt her, Tanner Lee grinned. She’s an expert at smelling dirty underwear. She gets $500 a pair for hers on Ebay.

Girl be funnin’ about, Carla grinned. I would never do that. I am a moral person.

Tell her some Billy Bob orphanage stories, Harper said as she picked some thorns out of her foot. Look at this shit. This could be fatal.

We should be that lucky, Carla sighed. Y’all should have worn some decent shoes.

I don’t have any cowboy shoes, Harper grinned. I can’t afford boots, you all.

Go up yonder trail and see what you can find, Carla said. Scream if somethin’ bad happens. We will call the Park Service to save y’all.

Eat me, Harper snapped. I have a gun. I shoot first and ask questions later. I’ll show you, she nodded as she trudged off. I can do this too, Anal Oakley. Yeeeee-hah! Dang, girl; looky what  I done found, you all.

She doesn’t respect you, Colleen said.

You get used to it after a while, Carla sighed. She is her own person.

Five minutes later, Harper let out a yell.

Less go, Carla grinned. Maybe a space monster got her.

They went up the trail; Harper was on her phone. She pointed at a bicycle lying on its side in the brush, just off the Rampart Trail about five feet.

That’s Erin’s bike! Colleen screamed. It’s a boy’s bike. That what she liked to ride.

Okay, let’s wait for the Park Rangers. We got to rope off this here area, Carla said.

Who is this? Harper yelled into her phone. Park Rangers? What the fuck is wrong with you people? You hang up on me and I will personally have you fired. I am Chief Harper Cochran from Connecticut. You have a report of a missing girl, and I just found her bicycle. What’s up with that? You assholes need me to fly 3,000 miles to do your job for you? Hello?

They done hung up on her, Carla grinned. This be where the fun starts. Them boys are gonna wish they was never born.

Screw the Park Rangers. Look around, Colleen said. See what you can find.