Found Missing: Day 12

 Word Count: 72,006

Summary of Events:

Dallas continued working, admittedly disappointed over his inability to be involved in the investigation, but yet kept busy by a significant amount of work over the next couple of days. Before too long, however, Dallas was called to S/Sgt. Colvin's office and told that he would be going to Alberta with Det. Sgt. Nash to interview Talbert Brauer — who was still alive — about his knowledge of Mrs. Hardwick's disappearance because he had the second-greatest knowledge of the case facts. As they prepared to leave one of the officers on the criminal investigation unit approached them . . .

Excerpt of the Day:

“I hope you two have a good trip,” Cpl. Richard said. “I’ll keep seeing what I can find here A.L.”

“Thanks Ritchie,” Det. Sgt. Nash said.

“Who’s driving?” Cpl. Richard asked.

“Me?” Dallas offered.

“We’re each driving half,” Det. Sgt. Nash said.

“And what’s half?” Cpl. Richard asked.

“Two sixty seven and a half,” Det. Sgt. Nash replied.

“Who’s driving which half?” Cpl. Richard asked.

“I’m driving first,” Dallas said — at the exact same time as Det. Sgt. Nash.

“Hm,” Cpl. Richard said. “How about a coin toss?”

“Sure,” Dallas agreed.

Det. Sgt. Nash nodded.

Cpl. Richard produced a quarter.

“Caribou,” Dallas replied.

“You could just call it tails,” Det. Sgt. Nash said.

“But it’s a caribou head,” Dallas said. “And to me the animal face sides have always been the front of the coin anyways.”

“There’s no animal on the dime,” Det. Sgt. Nash said.

“There wasn’t on the penny either, but still,” Dallas said. “I’ve always considered that side the front side. It looks like a front side should look.”

“Nonetheless,” Cpl. Richard said. “Caribou and queen. Here we go.”

With his thumb he expertly flipped the coin high and made it spin quickly before catching it in the palm of his opposite hand and sandwiching it against the back of the hand that had flicked it.

Removing his hand exposed what was the fourth different bust of Queen Elizabeth II that had been used on Canadian currency.

Dallas sighed, disappointed.

“You’re driving front half, you’re driving back half, both ways,” Cpl. Richard said. “Is that agreed?”

“Yes,” Det. Sgt. Nash said.

Dallas nodded reluctantly.

“Be nice to each other,” Cpl. Richard said.

Dallas and Det. Sgt. Nash looked at one another warily.

“Come on, you’re both adults,” Cpl. Richard said.

They both nodded, Dallas looking toward Cpl. Richard as he did so.

“Now get going,” Cpl. Richard said.

Dallas reluctantly went to the passenger seat and climbed inside. Det. Sgt. Nash climbed into the driver’s seat.

“So, which way are we going?” Det. Sgt. Nash asked.

“In reverse, to get out of the stall,” Dallas replied.

“No sarcasm,” Det. Sgt. Nash said.

Dallas opened the map app on his cellphone. “Our destination is Beiseker?”

“No, Strathmore,” Det. Sgt. Nash said. “The detachment there want to talk to us about the case because it falls in their jurisdiction.”

Accordingly Dallas input directions for North Battleford to Strathmore.

“So?” Det. Sgt. Nash asked as he neared the exit to the parking lot. “Which way am I turning?”

“The direction that gets you to highway forty,” Dallas replied.

“Highway forty?” Det. Sgt. Nash asked.

“Four zero, yes,” Dallas replied.

“Hm,” Det. Sgt. Nash said.

He turned accordingly and, once they’d crossed the river into Battleford, turned onto the highway.

“Highway twenty nine,” Dallas said.

“What about it?” Det. Sgt. Nash asked.

“It’s where you’re going,” Dallas replied.

“Oh,” Det. Sgt. Nash said. “And then?”

“Wilkie,” Dallas replied.

Det. Sgt. Nash nodded.

Pronunciations:

Richard: reeshahrd

Beiseker: byezehker