The naked edge

28

In the rain, the line searched the park in greater detail, moving picnic tables, looking under play equipment, examining the edges of shelters for signs that someone had dug under the concrete pads. They found nothing.

"They need to do it again," Cavanaugh said. "Those garbage cans in wooden frames. Let's push them aside and see if Carl's in a hole under one of them."

Carl wasn't.

"That storm-drain lid needs to be pried up. The tunnel needs to be checked."

But the tunnel was filled with water.

"Look for evidence that Carl dug under the concrete paths."

Four hours and five crossings later, Rutherford said firmly, "We're wasting our time. He isn't here."

"But-"

"Either he tricked you, or else you made a mistake about the place he meant."

"This is it. There's no other place."

Rutherford studied the shivering, wet, exhausted men. Many of them coughed. Wind gusted. Dark clouds thickened. "I'm calling off the search."

"No. Please."

"They've been out here since three in the morning," Rutherford said. "Somebody'll end up in the hospital."

"Just one more time."

"To prove that you're wrong? As far as Mosely's concerned, that would be the only good thing to come out of this. Okay, Aaron. Just for you. One more time."

They probed the sand under the playground equipment. Farther along, they did the same to the wood chips around the climbing-gym.

Yet again, they found nothing.

Water trickling down his face, Rutherford pointed toward TV news cameras near the park. "They should air this after a Three Stooges marathon. I can only hope the rain blurs any shots they took of me." He turned toward the searchers. "We're finished, everybody! The buses will arrive soon! We'll take you somewhere warm and dry!"

"Coffee," someone said.

"Steaming pots of it," Rutherford promised. He stared at a puddle in the grass. "A thousand men. Some flew in from across the country. Food. Lodging. Buses. Vans. Weapons. Equipment." He gazed up at Cavanaugh. "Nothing to show for it. Mosely's waiting for me to report to him. I can imagine his reaction when I tell him how much everything cost. This time tomorrow, I might be looking for a new job."

Shoulders bent, Rutherford walked toward Teg Drive and the van. The lines disintegrated, soaked men wandering toward the nearby streets.

Burdened with discouragement, Cavanaugh remained in the middle of the field. Jamie stood next to him, the rain gusting at them. Emptiness made him feel colder.

"Want to take a stroll?" he asked.

"It's been a fabulous experience so far. Let's prolong it as much as possible."

He couldn't help smiling. "I love you."

"Of course, you do. I don't want diamonds or fancy clothes. All I want is to share the glamour of your life."