"C'mere son..." Cole came to his father's side, staring at DiNolfo nervously.
"Sergeant DiNolfo has some questions for you about Tristan. Give her your cooperation." Joe stood up from the bench and allowed his son to sit down. Jenna smiled warmly at Cole, trying to make him more relaxed.
"Hi Cole, I'm Jenna. I'm the lead on Tristan's case, and I am trying to find your friend."
"Hi," said Cole quietly, unsure of what to say.
"Could you please tell me when was the last time you saw Tristan?"
"The night before she went missing. We were having my sister's birthday party, and Tristan and her family had come down. Our families are close."
"Did you two argue at all?"
"No. We never argue."
"So she was happy to be in your company?"
"I think so. Although it did sour a little when she came across that news article."
"The one talking about her mother's death?"
"Yeah. She didn't know, and she was really angry with her father for lying to her."
"Tell me about her father."
"Jack is okay. He always seems tired, but he always drives me home no matter how late I stay at their house. He even said I could start working for him next year at the farm once I turn 18."
"That was kind of him."
Cole shook his head in agreement.
"How about your teacher?"
"I hate him," Cole said with a look of great distaste. "He is a horrible person."
This caught Jenna off guard. Sure most students couldn't stand their teachers, but hate seemed like an awfully harsh sentiment.
"How come?"
"He would always keep Tristan afterwards in class, locking the door and pulling the shade. He claimed that she had make up work to do, which is a lie, because she had a near perfect average. She would always come out of the class crying. He had stopped for a while. Jack had warned Kendricks that he would be sorry if he didn't leave his family alone."
Jenna scribbled furiously in her notebook.
"Do you think he had an interest in Tristan that wasn't exactly... academic?"
“Like what?”
“Would he try to touch her?”
"I have no doubt. But she is tough. We would know if he tried anything."
"Would you?"
"She didn't keep secrets from me. She is my girlfriend, and my best friend, we told each other everything," Cole looked away mid-sentence trying to keep his composure. "I just hope she's okay."
"I want you to know that we are doing everything we can to find her."
Jenna rose from her seat, grabbed her bag, and waved goodbye to Joe who was now behind the counter dealing with another customer. She decided she would go back to the station for an hour or so until Hernandez called with an update on the house search, and she would try to finish reading over Catherine’s case file.
*
Earl and Amos got out of their squad car in the parking lot of Monte's Cafe and moved quickly towards the entrance.
“Some people just don't understand simple instructions... How hard is it to not talk to the police?"
"We are the police..."
"You know what I mean."
The bell over the door in Monte's cafe rung yet again as the two deputies walked through. Joe's happy face turned sour as he threw a dish rag onto the counter, waiting for the nonsense that Amos and Earl would spew out.
Although Joe was looking right at Amos, he decided to ring the bell on the counter anyway. Loudly he yelled, "Can I get some service?!" Earl, meanwhile went up to Joe's lone customer, George Harris, trying to get him to leave. Joe seen this and yelled back to him, "No, George, you stay. Earl was just leaving." Amos leaned over the counter coming within an inch of Joe's face.
"Why was DiNolfo's car out there for three hours today?"
"I guess she was hungry."
"Don't play dumb... What did I tell you about keeping quiet?"
"What's there to be quiet about? The whole township knows that you two baboons are more corrupt than all of Harrisburg itself!"
"So what did you say?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Shall I remind you?" said Amos, his hands balling into fists.
Joe, not inclined to back down from anyone, especially measly, slimy little Amos Cope. "Should I remind you that I don't take well to threats?" said Joe grabbing hold of his Louisville Slugger that rested comfortably under the front counter for rowdy customers like Amos and Earl, "Because I have no problem reminding you."
Amos glared at Joe as he stared back, seeing that Joe was not even remotely intimidated as he swung his bat in the air menacingly. Slowly, Amos waved for Earl, and the two bolted for the door. Throwing his Louisville Slugger back under the counter, Joe said aloud, "Yeah. That's what I thought." As the bell over the door rung again, Cole and old George broke into applause for the now flustered owner of Monte’s café.
Chapter Fifteen
A Matter of Security
Elkhart Police Station
October 9, 1997