Copper River

15

Ren sat on the far side of the Blazer’s front seat, staring straight ahead. Jewell drove for a while in silence, not sure what to say to him, wondering, a little desperately and sadly, if she really knew her son.

He’d always been quiet. Like his father. Daniel was a contemplative man. When he talked with Jewell, it was usually about common things-what needed fixing around the resort, the weather, Ren. When he spoke out in public, which was seldom, his words were chosen carefully and his views well considered. Until he became identified as a troublemaker, an Indian troublemaker, he’d been respected in Bodine.

That they were Ojibwe, the only Indians in the town, had never been an issue. Jewell’s family had never acted Indian, and those residents of Bodine who knew of their mixed heritage didn’t seem to care. Daniel’s involvement with the Indian causes, and especially his brutal death, had changed that, branded the DuBois in an unhappy way. Being Ojibwe hadn’t always been a burden for Ren, but it seemed so now. Occasionally, when she was particularly concerned, Jewell considered moving closer to the reservation near L’Anse, where many of Daniel’s relatives lived. If they were going to be thought of as Indian, they might was well be among those who’d understand. She’d said nothing about this to Ren, and she realized now that there was much in her own mind she hadn’t said to her son. She’d thought the silence that sometimes came between them was Ren’s choice, a sinking into himself as he dealt with his father’s death. But she considered now that perhaps the silence was really her choice.

“You okay?” she asked.

His head jerked toward her, as if her speaking surprised him. “Yeah. I guess. I’m, like, scared for Charlie. You know?”

“I understand. But I can’t think of anyone who can take care of herself as well as Charlie. Except maybe you.”

He nodded, twice, seriously.

“Mom, he was…” His voice stretched out as he sought the words to finish his thought. Apparently he didn’t find them.

“ He? You mean Max?”

“Yeah. He was, you know, all messed up.”

She wondered if he was referring to the man’s mental state or his physical condition at death.

Ren looked at her, imploring. “But Charlie didn’t do it. She couldn’t have, Mom. Not like that.”

Jewell wanted to tell him that he was right, that Charlie would never do anything so brutal. She wished she could say that despite his faults, Max loved his daughter so much that even drunk he’d never do something threatening enough to drive Charlie to such an extreme response. But the truth was that when he was drinking, Max Miller generally turned belligerent and the potential for violence was always there, lurking in that cramped, messy trailer like a vicious pit bull.

“We’ll find Charlie,” she said. “And then we’ll find out the truth.”

It wasn’t exactly comforting, but neither would it give him false hope.

The day had warmed, low fifties, and was holding bright. A strong and steady wind had risen, sweeping out of the northwest over the high ground of the Keweenaw Peninsula, whipping the lake into a frenzy. Whenever Superior came into view, Jewell saw whitecaps leaping across the water.

They entered Marquette and drove south on Presque Isle Avenue past Northern Michigan University’s Superior Dome. She wove her way to Ridge Street and turned left, which took her past the Landmark Inn where scenes from Anatomy of a Murder had been filmed.

Providence House stood on the corner a block past the inn. It was a sturdy three-story built of red stone. Originally, it had been one of the many fine houses on Ridge, constructed around the turn of the century on a hilltop with a million-dollar view of the harbor. Somewhere along the way, it had taken a more utilitarian turn and been converted into apartments. Most recently, a nonprofit organization called Children First had bought the property and turned it into a shelter for runaways and homeless youth. Several programs operated within its walls, providing everything from simple short-term shelter to more extensive, long-term support for teens who were chronically homeless. The wealthy neighbors weren’t fond of the house or its mission, and constantly threatened legal action. Jewell knew these things because once she’d learned that Charlie used the place as shelter, she’d done a thorough investigation. As a result, Providence House had become one of the nonprofit organizations to which she donated.

She parked the Blazer on the street in front and said to Ren, “Wait here.”

“Unh-uh.” Ren shook his head vigorously. “I’m coming, too.” He didn’t wait for Jewell to respond before popping his door open and sliding out.

The rear of the property ran down a long, grassy slope to a line of trees through which the blue of the harbor flashed in luminous patches. An old carriage house stood half hidden behind the big main building. Marigolds still bloomed along the sidewalk that led to the front steps. A fresh coat of white paint brightened the window frames. Jewell knew that because the neighbors weren’t happy to have a program like Providence House so near, those responsible for the shelter worked hard to keep the place looking good.

Jewell opened the front door and stepped in, Ren right behind her. Inside, the place was quiet and felt empty. To the left was a living room furnished with a brown area rug, a couple of end tables, a sofa, and several chairs, none of which matched and all of which faced the television. Through French doors to the right, she could see a long, scratched dining table around which sat ten chairs. Directly ahead was an uncarpeted stairway. Beside the stairs ran a hallway that led toward darkness at the back of the building where the murmur of voices could be heard.

“Hello,” Jewell called.

“Wait right there.” It was a command, not a request.

Jewell had driven past Providence House on several occasions, assessing it from the street, but she’d never been inside before. Charlie, when she stayed, always got there on her own and, when she was ready, found her own way back to Bodine. She’d never asked for Jewell’s help.

Ren said quietly, “It’s not so bad.”

“What did you expect?”

“I don’t know. Like, mattresses on the floor or something.”

Jewell found this interesting. Charlie had never talked to her about Providence House, which she assumed was because she was as an adult. She’d supposed, however, that as her best friend Ren had probably been taken into her confidence. Apparently Charlie hadn’t spoken to him about it, either.

Sunlight flowed through a window beside the door and fell across the floor. The latticework of the leaded-glass panes created a pattern of shadow on the scuffed boards that suggested a spider’s web. A woman emerged from the dark hallway and stopped just short of the web. Midfifties, Jewell speculated. Gray hair cut sensibly short. She wasn’t tall-a few inches over five feet-but she had a solid quality to her. She wore black jeans, a red turtleneck, white canvas slip-ons. She looked at her visitors suspiciously.

“Yes?”

“Hi. I’m Jewell DuBois.” She stepped forward and offered her hand, which was accepted without enthusiasm. “This is my son, Ren.”

The woman blinked at them both and waited.

“We’re looking for a young woman who may be staying here.”

“I can’t give out information about our clients.”

“And you would be?”

“Mary Hilfiker. I’m the director here.”

“She’s disappeared and we’d like to be certain she’s all right, Mary,” Jewell went on. “She’s stayed here before. Her name is Charlene Miller. Charlie.”

The woman’s face didn’t change. “As I told you, I can’t give you information.”

“Not even just to confirm she’s okay?”

“Not even that.”

“Look, I can understand the need for privacy, but her father’s been murdered and we’re going out of our minds with worry.”

“Oh, my.” Mary Hilfiker looked very hard at her face and at Ren’s, as if trying to find a crack in their sincerity. Jewell saw something change in her aspect. She relaxed just a little and kindness softened her eyes.

“If I told you she was okay, it would be a tacit admission that she’s here, and that’s privileged information. Do you see?”

Ren said, “It’s awful quiet. Is anybody here?”

The thread of a smile appeared as she glanced down at him. “Although we operate what is essentially a residential program, our clients are required to leave every morning. They’re gone to jobs or school all day. They return for dinner and a bed.”

“All of them leave?” Jewell asked.

“Yes.”

“But they can’t all have jobs or be going to school.”

“No, not all.”

“And the others?”

“They go where kids without homes go to hang out.”

“Back on the streets.”

“Generally, yes.”

“Do you know where Charlie hangs out?” Ren inquired hopefully.

“No.”

“If she were to come back this evening, what time would she be here?”

The woman seemed to weigh her response, then said, “I’m not going to tell you that.”

“I’m not trying to be difficult,” Jewell said with a prickle of irritation. “I’m just worried.”

“I understand. And I hope you understand my position. People come here all the time looking for children they’ve abused. They’re sorry for what they’ve done, genuinely sorry. More contrite people you can’t imagine. But the fact is that those who’ve abused will generally continue to do so. Or they come insisting they’re concerned relatives or friends, looking for children who, in actuality, they’ve recruited as prostitutes or runners or whatever.” Her hands finally moved from her side and she held them out, empty and entreating. “You seem respectable, concerned, but put yourself in my shoes. Would you want to take the risk of delivering a child into the hands of someone who’d mistreat her?”

“Can’t you tell us anything?” Ren said. “She’s my best friend.”

“I’m sorry-Ren, is it? Honestly, my hands are tied. Especially now, in light of what you’ve told me about her father.”

“Would you do us a favor?” Jewell said. “If you see Charlie, just let her know that Jewell and Ren came by and that we’re concerned. Could you do that?”

“If I see her, I will.”

“Thank you.”

Jewell took her hand and this time felt a strong grip in return.

Outside, Ren said, “That’s it?”

They stood in the sun on the sidewalk, between the blooming marigolds. Late in the season as it was, honeybees still buzzed around the blossoms. They were weightless insects, yet the strong wind didn’t seem to affect them as they went about their careful, important business. In her son’s face, Jewell saw frustration and fear. Where was Charlie?

“Let’s try something else. Follow me,” she said.

She led the way to the sloping backyard and walked across the grass to the carriage house.

“What are you doing?” Ren asked.

“Delmar Bell lives here.”

“He’s one of the guys who’s always drinking beer with Charlie’s dad. I thought he was a trucker or something.”

“He used to be. The company went bankrupt. Now he’s the caretaker for Providence House. Keeps the grounds and building in order.”

“I don’t like him,” Ren said.

“The truth is, neither do I, Ren. But maybe he can help us out here.”

She didn’t know much about Charlie’s interactions with Providence House, but she knew that it began as a result of Delmar Bell. He’d done some running himself when he was a kid, trying to escape a father who never spoke to him in anything but anger and never offered his hand in anything but a fist. There were rumors of even worse things going on at the Bell house. Delmar had always been a little scary, but he’d never been in any serious trouble. He’d been the one who suggested to Charlie that when Max was hitting the booze and things seemed shaky at the trailer in Bodine, she might try the shelter. Max Miller had told Jewell this with a full measure of gratitude toward Bell, because when he was sober he appreciated the idea that Charlie had someplace to go when he wasn’t.

The door opened quickly to her knock and Bell stuck his head into the sunlight. Jewell remembered that as a kid he’d had fine yellow hair like a dandelion, but he’d long ago gone mostly bald. Now he kept his head shaved, showing a skull rusty with freckles. His eyes were the earthy brown-green of dead moss. He looked surprised to see Jewell, and then he saw Ren and looked confused as well.

“Hey, Del,” Jewell said brightly.

He stepped fully into the doorway and the sun struck him hard. He was small, but strong in the way of someone who’d spent long hours in a gym grunting under weights. He wore a white sleeveless T-shirt, faded jeans, and a pair of Adidas stained green from the yard grass.

“What are you doing here?” he asked.

“Looking for Charlie.”

“Oh.” He nodded in a knowing way. “Max on the sauce again?”

“It’s a little more complicated than that, Del. He’s dead.”

“Naw.” Delmar grinned as if it were a joke. Then he saw she wasn’t kidding. “Jesus. How?”

“Somebody broke his head open with a baseball bat.”

“When?”

“Last night. Charlie’s missing. We were wondering if she came here.”

His fine, feathery eyebrows dipped together. “I can’t tell you that.”

“Del, I just want to know if she’s okay, that’s all.”

His dead moss eyes flicked toward the back of Providence House. “Check up there.”

“We did. They wouldn’t tell us anything. But they don’t know me.”

“Christ, Jewell.”

“Just a yes or no, Del. Was she here last night?”

He sucked in a breath and puffed out his cheeks. He eyed the house again, then offered reluctantly, “As far as I know, she hasn’t been here. And I’d know because I see all the kids at breakfast before they leave.”

“Would you do me a favor?”

“What?”

“If she comes tonight, give me a call.”

“I can’t. No. Absolutely not. If they found out, they’d can my ass in a New York minute. I like this job, Jewell. Hell, I need this job.”

“What time do they open the door to the kids?”

“Four-thirty. Look, you gotta go.” He cast a fearful glance toward the house and shut his door.

Jewell walked away not wanting to cause Delmar trouble if she could help it. Ren followed her to the Blazer and they got in. She slid the key into the ignition and heard in her son’s silence unspoken censure.

“I don’t know what else to do,” she said.

“We could look for her?”

“Where? I’m open to ideas, kiddo.”

Ren tapped his chin with his index finger, a gesture Jewell was sure he was unaware of but one he often employed when thinking deeply. It was a Daniel thing, something Ren had unconsciously copied from his father. At last he gave a hopeless shrug. “I don’t know.”

“We could spend all day in Marquette and still not find her. What if we head home and come back at four-thirty to see if she shows up at Providence House?”

She could tell from the scowl on his face that it wasn’t what he’d prefer, and she gave him time to consider an alternative to offer. Finally he said, “Okay.”

In the Blazer, Jewell turned them toward Bodine.

Ren dropped his hands to his lap, hunched his shoulders, and climbed back into himself and his silence.