"I agree fully," Fairbanks said. "I've already made you an appointment for the CAT scan. It's scheduled for two thirty this afternoon. We'll go and see Sheriff Tanner first."
The two ate lunch and then Dr. Fairbanks drove them to the sheriff's office. "Sheriff Tanner, this is Joe," the doctor made the introduction.
Sheriff Tanner was a tall man with a rock solid body. It was obvious to see he worked out frequently and kept control of his diet. He looked at Joe with curious blue eyes and a friendly smile. "You definitely look better than you did the last time I saw you," he said to Joe. Joe gave him a faint smile, aware he would have been unconscious at the time. "I'm afraid there still hasn't been a report filed on you," the sheriff continued.
"Have you checked farther a field?" Joe asked, then repeated Donovan's observation about him maybe being from farther north.
"I ran your description through the national database," the sheriff replied. "I rechecked this morning," he added. "No one has filed a missing person's report on you."
"What happens now?" asked Joe.
"I reported you to social services," Tanner said. "But the Fairbanks have asked to be your guardians until your case goes to court."
Joe looked at Roger Fairbanks. "Thank you," he said gratefully. He didn't want to be placed in an institution or have to get used to new strangers.
"Do you know anything about the lumberjack company?" Joe changed the subject as he turned back to Sheriff Tanner.
"Why do you want to know about that?" Tanner asked, his curiosity deepening to suspicion as his gaze narrowed on the youth before him. Dr. Fairbanks stepped in and told the sheriff about their unwelcome guest the night before.
"Have you been to the mill?" asked Joe.
"I have," the sheriff acknowledged with a frown. "But, honestly, it seemed a bit understaffed and it didn't look as productive as I thought it would."
"Are there caves in this area?" Joe posed his next question.
"All over the place," Roger answered.
"Any near the mill?"
"Not that I know of," Tanner answered and the doctor shrugged his shoulders. "Why?"
"Phipps was covered in black dust," Joe answered. "He may be dressed like a lumberjack but the dirt and his fingernails made me think he was a miner instead."
"I think you're off base," Tanner told him. "There would have been blasting."
"Not if the mine is a natural cave," Joe pointed out. "Do you know anything about Farkas?"
"A bit," the sheriff acknowledged with a nod. "His full name is Anthony Ryan Farkas," he began. "He's from out west. Oklahoma, I think he said. And he isn't an easy person to be around."
"Why is that?" Joe asked.
Tanner shrugged. "He's gruff and tends to keep to himself. I've only met him twice and then I had to go through a secretary and two bodyguards to do it."
"Married?"
"Widower," Tanner answered. "With two sons, although I've only seen one come into town."
"What does Farkas look like?" inquired Joe.
"Six foot four with blond hair, blue eyes and in pretty good shape," was the answer. "A lot like you, actually," he added, looking at Joe with renewed interest. "It's possible you could be his son."
"No," denied Joe half-heartedly. It was possible, he knew, but to think he might be related to someone who was letting people die to make money was too much! Joe shivered at the thought. "Wouldn't he have reported me missing?"
"Not if he thought you had left town to visit someone," Tanner said. "A relative, perhaps?"
"After this long?" Fairbanks argued. "Preposterous!" He liked Joe and doubted the youth could in any way be related to the type of scum he knew Farkas to be.
"Still, I had better check it out," Tanner said. "You can ride up there..."
"No," Fairbanks interrupted the man. "He has to go to the hospital for a CAT scan," he explained. "It has been put off long enough."
"All right then," Tanner agreed with Fairbanks's directive. "I'll ride up to the mill and..." he broke off as the intercom on his desk came on.
"Sir, Mr. Farkas is on line two."
"Thanks, Pete," acknowledged Tanner then picked up the phone and hit the flashing light. "Tanner," he stated.
The voice on the other end of the line was loud and frantic and Joe and Roger had no problem in hearing what was being said.
"Sheriff! You've got to help me!" declared Farkas anxiously. "My son is missing!"
