May nodded.
“Yes, that version is true. We’re trying to find out the circumstances. There’s no evidence of any witchcraft or devil worship so far. But we do have a possible link to a drifter who might have been reported in your area.”
“Who’s that?” Immediately, Howard turned to his computer. “Being summertime, we’ve had a few reports.”
“This would have been in the warehouse area.”
“Most of them are in that general location. Who are we looking for?”
“Mid-twenties. Dark blond ponytail. Some stubble, short beard, faded denim jacket.”
Howard frowned at the screen.
“I think I know who he is. He matches the description of a man who was detained a few days ago for trespassing at one of the local businesses.” Howard was reading from the computer. “At Van Tassel’s Wholesale, in the industrial area. He was let off with a warning. We took a copy of his ID. His name’s Joey Robbins.”
He glanced up at May.
“So that description matches?” she asked.
“He sounds like the one. Looking back, I see I have a couple of reports of him from a few days previous to that. It was residents calling in. They said that a shifty-looking man was playing the guitar outside Tammy’s Diner. We asked for a description and we got a similar picture. They sounded angry that he was playing it really badly. We contacted the diner and we agreed there wasn’t much that could be done, as he was doing it on a public street. They said he often came in and spent the money on food.”
“If that’s the case, he might be there now,” May said.
“Yes. The reports have trickled in from five p.m. to about eight p.m.”
May turned to Owen.
“Let’s head there now,” she said. “If we’re lucky, we might find him, and if not, we can ask them to call us when he does appear.”
She hurried out.
*
Ten minutes later, May and Owen pulled up outside Tammy’s Diner. This was a festive eatery, located on the main road in Chestnut Hill. Being on the main road, the restaurant often attracted its share of passing trade and outsiders.
Tammy’s had been a success for decades. It was one of the oldest family-run businesses in Chestnut Hill, now in its third generation of ownership under Tammy Junior, the original owner’s granddaughter. May remembered how much Lauren had loved eating there. It had been her favorite place. She’d even had her eighteenth birthday dinner there a couple of months before she’d disappeared.
The diner was a big, attractive building, designed like an old-fashioned railroad car, with lots of wood, glass, and chrome.
May saw Tammy’s brother, Vernon, a big solid man, standing watchfully at the door as they parked.
It was about two miles from the warehouses, so it was no surprise to May that this drifter had found his way here. She hoped that he would make an appearance, or else that they would know where he was. Vernon was usually pretty good about keeping track of people who represented a threat to the family business.
Tammy Junior herself was behind the counter and May glimpsed her as soon as they climbed out of the car. A large, cheerful woman in her forties, she was a big, friendly presence in the diner, and there were always customers who came for the food and stayed for Tammy’s ready welcome.
But what she didn’t see was any sign of Joey Robbins.
Returning Tammy’s wave from inside before she rushed over to help another customer, May and Owen headed over to speak to Vernon.
“Evening, Deputies,” he said solemnly. “How can I help? Are you here to dine, or is this about the case?” He didn’t even need to say what case. Clearly, everyone in the diner had been talking about it already.
“It’s connected with the case. We believe a man called Joey Robbins has been here recently. He’s a drifter who’s been playing the guitar to earn dinner money?”
Vernon nodded. “Yes, Joey. I’ve been keeping a close eye on him. He’s trouble, I can see it.”
“What’s he been doing?”
“He’s been coming here at odd hours. Playing the guitar appallingly. He tried to chat up a few of the women heading inside, which I put a stop to immediately. I know the law. I told him if he wants to play, and he stays on the sidewalk, we won’t interfere. But if he starts soliciting customers, I warned him that he could expect trouble.”