The Panic Zone

NCIC.

It contained records on a range of files submitted by every law enforcement agency across the country. NCIC contained records on subjects such as guns, fugitives, warrants, stolen vehicles, sex offenders, license plates, gangs, terrorist organizations and missing persons.

After Emma had left her home in Big Cloud, her worried aunt and uncle went to the County Sheriff’s Office to report her missing. The sheriff’s office submitted a report to NCIC that contained all the background about the accident: Emma’s reaction, her claims about the phone call. The Big Cloud County Sheriff’s Office had characterized Emma as a traumatized, grief-stricken accident victim who’d refused to accept the deaths of her husband and son.

NCIC security forbade police from sharing the file with unauthorized people. Emma never saw it. After Sikes read it, he said, “You’ve been through a lot lately, haven’t you, Emma?”

“Yes.”

“There are people in Big Cloud worried about you. Why don’t you think about going home?”

“But what about everything I’ve told you about my baby? What about what I told you about Polly, that she said my baby was ‘chosen’? She said someone was planning some kind of action and they chose my baby! Please help me!”

“Yes, it’s quite a story,” Sikes said. “And I understand you’ve been under tremendous stress lately. The tragedy of the house fire today must have subjected you to more anguish.”

“What about what I told you about Polly?”

“We’ll follow that up with authorities here in California and Wyoming, but our first concern is your well-being and getting you home. It might be the best thing, don’t you think?”

She stared at the wall.

“I could call someone for you, if you like,” Sikes said.

Emma shook her head.

He thinks I’m crazy. They all think I’m crazy.

Emma collected her things and left.