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itself.
Three days spent away, God only knew where, hadn’t changed things.
Leslie was right back to her old behavior.
    “Look, sweetheart.” Audrey pulled back the edge of the whole grain
bread. “It’s turkey. The white meat. Nice and lean.”
    “Please, Mom. Just leave it there, will you? I’ll have some later.”
Leslie pointed the remote control at the television set. With
trepidation, Audrey took a seat on the couch beside her daughter as the
WCBS noon news broadcast began. The anchorwoman Cindy Hsu welcomed
viewers and launched into the top story. A record heat wave was
gripping the Northeast. Hospitals were reporting an increasing number
of cases of heat-related maladies. People were fainting in the New York
City subway. Macadam was melting on city streets. Officials warned of
power outages if consumers kept their air conditioners cranked up, and
the fire department cautioned that there would be a catastrophe when a
fire emergency arose if hydrants continued to be opened by those
seeking relief from the oppressive heat.
    Audrey watched from the corner of her eye as her daughter tucked the
crocheted afghan around her thin legs. Though it was scorching hot
outside, the temperature was pleasant in the house. There was certainly
no need for a blanket. But Leslie was always
cold. It was no wonder, thought her mother. There wasn’t any flesh on
those bones.
    As Audrey had feared, the story after the first commercial break was
about her daughter, the girl who authorities claimed had faked her own
abduction and forced the entire shore town into a frenzied three-day
search.
    Leslie whispered at the TV screen, “It wasn’t the entire town. Shawn
Ostrander didn’t bother to look for me at all.”
    Audrey went to take her daughter’s hand, but Leslie pulled away.
“Don’t bother, Mom. You can’t make it all right. Just leave me alone.”
    Together, they watched the rest of the local news in silence. As the
news anchors were thanking their audience and saying good-bye, the
phone rang. Audrey’s brow wrinkled with concern as she looked over at
her daughter.
    “It’s probably another one of those reporters.” Audrey sighed. “Why
can’t they leave us alone?”
    “I’ll get it,” Leslie said and began to get up from the couch. A bit
too eagerly, thought Audrey.
    “No,” she said quickly, gently pulling her daughter back. “It’s
better if I handle it.” Picking up the receiver, Audrey heard a female
voice.
    “Hello. This is Diane Mayfield from KEY News.
Am I speaking with Mrs. Patterson?”
    “Yes.” Audrey held back from executing her original plan to shut
down immediately any request for comment. This wasn’t some local news
reporter. This was the national news calling.
Audrey was a regular Hourglass viewer and admired Diane Mayfield. Diane had a nice way about her,
getting the information she wanted by coaxing her subjects to open up,
not hammering at them. Not like some reporters. The ones who were
sharks going in for the kill.

CHAPTER
10
     
    Matthew Voigt sat in Diane’s office, listening to her side of the
phone conversation and occasionally mouthing suggestions. As Diane put
down the receiver, he leaned forward. “Well? What did she say?”
    Diane shrugged. “At least she didn’t say no. She said she’d think
about it.”
    “And?”
    “She’s seen me on Hourglass and says she admires my work.”
    “Good. That should help us.” Matthew sat back. “You can bet we
aren’t the only ones who want to interview Leslie Patterson. If her
mother likes you, it increases our chances of getting a shot with her
daughter.”
    “Okay,” said Diane as she stood up and walked to the front of her
desk. “That’s about all we can do from here. When are you leaving for
Ocean Grove?”
    “I’m stopping home to pack a bag, and then I’ll head right down,”
Matthew said. “I’ll be there later this afternoon and try to get some
elements lined up. I’ll see you there in the morning.”
    Diane