Chapter 5: Interlude : The First

Excerpt from the Orlando Sentinel:

Teen Still Missing

The search continues for missing sixteen year old high school student Alicia Ford. According to reports, Alicia wandered off of school grounds during her lunch period accompanied by an unidentified female teenager six months ago. There is no information or missing persons report for the mysterious teen and interviews with friends of Alicia reveal that none know who she is or what classes she attends. It is surmised, that the unknown companion was not a classmate of Alicia's.

Witnesses report that Alicia Ford, 16, was sitting with a group of her friends during her lunch period when the unidentified teenager approached her. They apparently engaged in a short conversation before moving to an empty table to continue their conversation. None of the witnesses could report the nature of either discussion nor the identity or description of the unknown girl. The then were seen to leave the lunch patio area never to be seen or heard from again.

Police have questioned all the people in the missing teen's lunch period but have been unable to gather any useful information. There have been no demands for ransom and the law enforcement community have labeled the case inactive. They are convinced it is a case of childhood runaway. Alicia's parents are not convinced however.

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Excerpt from the New Hampshire Gazette:

Teen Still Missing

Police have called off the search for missing teen Nicole Harriden, 15. Nicole disappeared from her home 8 months ago in the company of an unidentified teenage girl. Police interrogation of the family and neighbors were not able to provide a description of Nicole's companion.

"She hasn't had a friend come over to the house for so long, I was too surprised to get a good look at her". Reports Nicole's mother, Sally Harriden. "I was so pleased, I thought she was coming out of her shell. When she didn't come back by her curfew I got really scared and worried". Police are not so sure of her parents innocence in this case. "Usually when we have a missing child case, the parents seem almost obsessed with daily reports on the progress on the case. These two do not appear to be too concerned about any progress. I get the feeling that they don't care if their daughter is found or not". Claims a source wishing to remain nameless.

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Excerpt from the Sun Sentinel:

Teen Still Missing

The search continues for missing boy Oliver Jones. The thirteen year old was accidentally discharged from Atlantic Ridge Psychiatric Hospital to the care of his guardian, Helen Hunt three days ago. Oliver's parents insist that he does not have a legal guardian and have no knowledge of a Helen Hunt. Guardianship papers could not be found filed with the courts or with the hospital administration. Hospital staff describe Helen Hunt to be in her mid forties, brown hair and eyes, caucasian, and in the company of a blond teenage girl.

Oliver's parent's are preparing a class action suit against Atlantic Ridge Psychiatric Hospital, and a legal investigation is pending. The Joint Commission has rescinded their accreditation and the American Medical Association is also investigating the parent's claims.

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Memorandum

TO: Tyrone Mason

FROM: David Robinson

SUBJ: Proposed Paranormal Activity

Tell me this is a coincidence! Three reports of missing teens accompanied by an unidentified teenage girl. No ransom demands. No leads. All three have reports of "drastic personality changes" after onset of puberty. One of them was taken from a psychiatric hospital. She managed to convince the administration that guardianship papers exist with no proof. She just waltzed in and took him! This has to be the subject that we had under surveillance. I'm telling you, she has resurfaced. This makes six confirmed reports within the last year!

I'm telling you, we need to follow up on this NOW! The trail is getting colder EVERY second! Let me put a team together so I can get on this NOW! I can have all the necessary paperwork on your desk awaiting your signature within minutes of your confirmation.

Memorandum

TO: David Robinson

FROM: Tyrone Mason

SUBJ: RE: Proposed Paranormal Activity

I see no evidence of paranormal activity in any of these newspaper clippings or in the last batch that you sent me. There is nothing to connect any of these occurrences. And our missing subject did not have the kind of ability that you are assuming that she does (or did). I am still not convinced that our involvement was warranted last time, and it certainly is not at this time.

You are grasping at straws. Before you can convince me to invest even one man hour on this, you have to do better than tabloid stories and feeble suppositions. You want a GO on this project? Give me something real.

Tyrone sat back as he sent off his reply to the overeager son of a bitch. He was upset. He was, also, more eager than he let on in his reply. Mostly though, he was concerned. They had narrowly avoided an oversight committee investigation after the last operation in which they lost the girl. It was embarrassing. To him, and to his entire department. He had to call in most of his favors and pull a few strings (OK, YANK was more like it) just to stay behind his desk. His position was on shaky ground and he did not want any more screw ups. But the capture of this girl (and if Robinson's reports could believed, maybe six more) would do more for his career than the last 10 years of ass kissing and kicking had been able to accomplish.

He looked at the last two newspaper clippings lying on his desk. These were not sent to him by Robinson. Tyrone felt sure that they were connected. But he needed more. He needed something, anything even remotely resembling proof. This was good, but it just wasn't enough. Besides, the similarities to the Jones boy was too good. Too close.

"Damn. These kids are too careful. Kids screw up. Fish swim, birds fly, and kids screw up. There is something else going on here", he called for his secretary. When she came in, he told her to find Silver and send him in as soon as possible.

"Find whatever rock he's hiding under and kick it over", he told her as she was leaving. "God help me, I need him", he added in a whisper.

Excerpt from the New York Observer:

Two Die In Fire

Two people died in a fire at their residence last Tuesday. Sharon and Bill Mallory were both home with their daughter Katherine, when the home inexplicable caught fire. Katherine,12 was able to escape but her parents were trapped by the fire in their bedroom. The fire department was dispatched but was unable to save the homeowners. The child was taken to the hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation and shock.

FDNY forensic analysis could not pinpoint the cause of the blaze. They claim the fire has no known point of origin or ignition. Arson is suspected but without evidence, the police are unable to open a case. The only lead as to the cause of the fire is little Katherine, who was heard confessing to causing the fire as she was taken to the ambulance in tears. Psychiatrists examining her are convinced that she confessed because of 'survivor's guilt' and she should not be considered a suspect. Meanwhile NYPD and FDNY officials are...

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Excerpt from the New York Observer:

Teen Still Missing

No clues as to the whereabouts of Katherine Mallory, 13 after she was presumably abducted from the psychiatric wing of New York State Hospital. Katherine, a ward of the state, has been a patient of the hospital ever since the mysterious fire that claimed the lives of her parents, Sharon and Bill nearly a year ago. According to a hospital source, Katherine retreated into an almost catatonic state after experiencing 'survivor's guilt' over the death of her parents, and still claims responsibility for the fire.