Meet the Jenkins A wooden sign carved with bold red letters greeted me at the entrance to Jenkins’ farm, promising lethal action against trespassers. I ignored its threat with the arrogant optimism of a nineteen-thirties gumshoe. The driveway twisted in serpentine...

Arrested Development The Eureka Police Station was all sunshine and Santa Claus out front. At nearly half past 9 in the morning, the outer walls glowed with the intensity of the Mall of America at Christmas. Daylight gave the paint an extra dazzle, and the windows...

Cooley Ride “Tacoma? Interesting choice,” Derek told me once we got rolling. His quilted overshirt smelled of rancid cigarette butts from an ancient ashtray. “Rides pretty nice.” He patted the seat back near my shoulder.  I wondered if bringing him along would be...

First Lead I drove through the dull-colored streets back to Lorna’s, hoping for directions to the Jenkins’ place. I also wanted to gauge the reaction of the Peale women when I tossed out Aidan’s accusation that they’d hidden Kayla with the couple. The two of them were...

Junkyard Peale The walls of the room felt too close together. I unzipped my small duffel, planning to store the bits and pieces of clothing I’d brought along in the tiny bureau drawers. Thoughts of Aidan Peale’s potential menace raced around like barn mice in my...

Nickelback Motel On Faye’s advice, I checked into the Nickelback Motel. She’d told me the owner, Oliver, held a wealth of information about the area. She spoke with a wink, a mischievous glint in her eye, which left me to ponder his potential for exaggerating local...

Girl’s Gone The drive to the Peale home revealed a small-scale, picturesque town surrounded by mountains. Its valley location made for short days covered in a soft layer of darkness at a quarter of seven in the morning. Crisp air carried a hint of wood smoke. Bright...

Eureka “Slow morning?” I asked the bespectacled, middle-aged Pippi Longstocking-type behind the counter. I’d settled on a stool at The Daily Diner in Eureka, Montana, after the grueling drive through the mountains. I was ready for a hot cup of joe and a fattening...