Chapter Forty

Peter

We made it to Montana in record time thankful that we weren't the other side of the country when we got the news. Our biggest problem was that we still had a large area to cover and very little f time. Why couldn't she just have spoken to Jake then we could have fetched her home. Things were always so f complicated with her. I looked over at the Major who was looking at a map,

"So where do we start?" I asked "she could be anywhere"

"We'll find her Peter we have to"

At that minute his phone rang and I prayed it was Charlotte with something helpful.

"Major I've located the pay phone. It's in Virginia City, corner of East Idaho street and Fairweather street." He put the phone back in his pocket without answering and we went off running.

"Well its the best info so far. I doubt she'd have gone miles from home to ring under the circumstances."

He nodded but didn't say anything. I could see hope in his eyes for the first time since Bella disappeared.

When we got there it was dark and there was little activity on the streets,

"F its like a ghost town Major"

"Yeah well lets just hope there isn't a new one in town"

He took the photograph of Bella he kept in his shirt pocket and went into the nearest store. I watched from outside as he showed it to the guy behind the counter who listened, looked, then shook his head. We did the same with every store still open but no one seemed to know her. Then he went into a liquor store close to the place the pay phone was situated. The guy in there looked at the photo for longer then nodded his head and said something to Jazz. When he came out he looked grim.

"He's seen her. She bought a bottle of wine earlier today. He doesn't know where she lives but he thinks she might come from the apartment building on Warren Street"

We walked fast to the street he named and there were four apartment buildings to choose from. We split up taking two each as he handed me a copy of the photograph,

"Find her Peter"

I nodded, "Do my best".

My first building had a desk clerk who after being plied with money said she didn't live there. I would have liked to break his grinning face but I had work to do, he could wait until later. The next building didn't have any desk so I tried ringing a few apartments until someone came down to talk to me. He lived on the third floor and had been going out anyway when I buzzed him.

"So you a reporter? Cause I didn't really see anything. I only knew it had happened when the Police knocked on my door. I hardly knew her"

My mouth went dry and I showed him the photo,

"This the girl you're talking about?"

He took it from me, looked and nodded,

"Yeah that's her., Real quiet, never spoke, she was skinnier than that though, looked ill."

"So tell me what happened"

He shrugged,

"Heard a banging out in the corridor and looked out to see a guy hitting her door like crazy. When she didn't answer he smashed his way in. Next thing we know there's Police, Paramedics and shit everywhere. She took a load of pills I heard"

My next question was the million dollar one,

"Was she dead?"

He shook his head and I relaxed slightly.

"Nah I think they said she was still breathing when they took her out."

"How long ago and where did they take her?"

He looked at his watch,

"About two hours ago I guess. I think they took her to Madison Valley but I'm not sure"

I thanked him and got out of there as quickly as I could, calling for the Major as I did so. When he heard she was still alive he clenched his fists.

"Who was the guy who found her?"

"No idea, he didn't say but I guess we'll find out when we get there."

When we got to the hospital the Major went up to the reception desk. There was a long queue but it melted away when the people saw his face.

"I'm looking for Jane Lock. She came in a while back, an overdose"

The receptionist looked up bored then straightened up and checked her computer.

"Oh yes. If you take a seat I'll get the doctor to come and speak to you"

We sat and waited, watching people come in and go out. Then a stretcher came in, blood dripping from the casualty and I stopped breathing, my mouth filling with venom at the scent. The major looked at me,

"Go wait outside Peter, I'll call you when I get any news."

I nodded and almost ran for the exit and fresh air.

Jasper

I saw a doctor come out and speak to the receptionist before looking over to me and walking over. I stood and he stretched out his hand, I did him a favour and ignored it.

"I understand you were asking about Miss Lock, can I ask what your relationship is to her?"

"Brother" I answered "How is she?"

"Well I think she'll pull through, her boyfriend got to her just in time"

"Boyfriend?" I couldn't help my tone.

"Yes he's with her now. Would you like to come through."

I nodded and he escorted me through to the treatment rooms showing me into a relatives waiting room.

"I wont be long".

I stood looking at the door, I knew she was here, I could feel her. The door opened and a young man came in apprehensively,

"Mr Lock?"

I nodded,

"I'm Gary, Gary Temple, I found Jane."

"You her boyfriend?"

He smiled and shook his head,

"I just said that to get them to let me come with her in the ambulance. I work with her, that's all. I didn't know she had any family".

"So why were you there? At her place?"

He sat down on the edge of the chair and wiped his face,

"I work with Jane but I volunteer at a suicide hotline sometimes, so I got to know the signs. Jane never spoke much but I knew she was unhappy. I guessed she was running away from something or someone. Anyway, the last couple of weeks she's been really depressed, then the last two days she seemed almost light-hearted, as if she'd decided something. It worried me, so I followed her today, she went in the Liquor Store and I knew she didn't drink so that got me more concerned. Then she went up to her place. I waited a while but she never came out and I knew she usually did. I have a dog and I saw her walking in the park every evening until it got dark. I went up and knocked on the door but got no answer and I thought what the hell! At the worst I'd get taken in as a stalker so I broke the door in. She was laying on the couch, empty pill and wine bottle in front of her. The crazy thing was that she looked so peaceful, almost happy. I rang 911 and I guess you know the rest. Was I right? Was she running?"

I nodded,

"Yes. But she wasn't running away from anything, she was trying to keep other people safe."

"Oh" He looked confused. "Will you be taking her back home? I think she needs to be with people who love her. She's so unhappy."