“Really?” Cindy was stunned. “Is this something’s she’s done before?”
“No,” said Alice, “but Kara knows how to handle herself in the world. Did you know that she works at a shelter for abused women? It’s a tough job, but she’s great at it. In fact, right before her wedding, she just got a promotion.”
Cindy was amazed. It was hard to imagine that the beautiful, fashionable young woman she’d had breakfast with a short time ago worked at a shelter for abused women. The picture didn’t fit.
Alice smiled. “Everybody reacts that way when they hear about it,” she said. “Rowley never really liked the job, and his mother thinks it’s nuts. But I’ve always been proud of Kara’s choices and I’m very glad she’s doing it.”
Cindy looked at Alice with a newfound respect. “It’s wonderful that you support your daughter unconditionally,” she said.
“Unconditionally is right.” Alice liked that.
“Could her job have something to do with her disappearance?” Cindy pressed forward.
Alice turned swiftly toward Cindy, looking shocked. “How?”
“The women in the shelters are hiding from dangerous husbands or partners,” Cindy spoke slowly, “they’ve been harmed, they’re afraid.”
“So?” Alice seemed indignant. “Kara’s job is absolutely safe. These women are completely hidden. The men have no idea where they are, that’s the whole point of it.”
“Someone could have found out,” Cindy insisted. “Some woman’s husband or boyfriend could be upset with Kara for helping his woman get away?”
“That’s crazy speculation.” Alice seemed to get nervous. “The shelter is supported by the state. Its location is absolutely hidden. No one finds out where it is, ever!”
You know, though, Cindy mused, so does your husband and Rowley. Cindy couldn’t bring herself to tell Alice that nothing was absolutely hidden. Everyone had ways of tracking someone down if they were truly intent on it.
“Has Kara ever been threatened, ever?” asked Cindy.
“Not that I know.” Alice trembled slightly.
“And her relationship with Rowley? Was everything good?” Cindy tried another tack.
“It was wonderful, fine, they seemed happy,” Alice spoke quickly.
“Rowley didn’t approve of Kara’s work, though.” Cindy wanted to find some kind of wedge.
“So what?” Alice remarked. “How many men truly understand what their wives do all day long?”
“Not too many,” Cindy commented.
“Maybe one in a thousand.” Alice looked fitful. “Does yours? Does mine?”
“Does Rod?” asked Cindy, fascinated.
“Rod and I do beautifully together,” Alice continued, “although in many ways we are miles apart. Rod owns ships that are involved in import and export trading. He certainly doesn’t help humanity, the way Kara does.” Alice seemed to have deep feelings about this.
“Do you work, Alice?” Cindy wanted more.
“I do volunteer work,” Alice snapped, “fund raising for third world children.”
“Like mother, like daughter,” Cindy murmured.
“Thank you,” said Alice. “I’m proud of it.”
“And how does your husband feel about his daughter’s work?” Cindy wondered if this could lead somewhere.
“He doesn’t get it,” said Alice. “He doesn’t get lots of things. Rod’s a guy’s guy, always wanted a son and we never had one, just Kara. Rod’s crazy about Rowley, though, was thrilled about the marriage. But this morning Rod was so upset he told Rowley that he always thought Rowley would do anything in the world to protect Kara. Rowley start shaking and said he would—anything.”
Both Alice and Cindy fell silent then at the same moment. Cindy looked at the water rolling under the bridge and felt the morning turn into early afternoon. The day was moving on, time was passing, and with each hour it was less likely that Kara would return.
“What do you really think happened to Kara?” Cindy pressed.
“It’s a mystery to me.” Alice’s voice turned brittle.
“Think hard,” Cindy demanded.
“I don’t know.” Alice became agitated. “I told you, I don’t believe she’s gone, I believe she’s alive and close by.”
“Is it possible somebody took her?” Cindy asked bluntly.
“I can’t imagine why.” Alice now seemed near tears.
“What else could have happened?” Cindy became relentless. “Could it have been something gone wrong between her and Rowley?”
“What are you inferring?” Alice became panicky. “Are you saying Rowley harmed Kara?”
“Not necessarily,” said Cindy. “But they could have had a fight, ran into a problem. Kara could have been fed up.”
“Kara didn’t run away on her own, if that’s what you mean. That isn’t Kara. She’s the kind of woman who stares a problem in the eye and handles it as soon as it surfaces.”