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faith lessons. He seems to think that you’re just the person to help him snap out of his doldrums. Do you think I could schedule a caving expedition with you? Zander’s friend has agreed to meet with you and take one of your tours.”
    “ Well, I’m interested. Sure. But I don’t know if I can just take off for the day with a complete stranger. Could you give me his name?”
    “ His name is Clay Thomas.”
    Erika got immediate goose bumps. She knew a Clay Thomas. What had it been? Twenty-five years? Her pulse was racing and she nearly dropped the phone. “Um, okay, what can you tell me about him?”
    “ Zander says he’s never met a more trustworthy man. He’s a baseball coach. Fortyish. Tall and handsome. Came from the Lansing area—Haslett, I believe. Now he lives in Flint while coaching the University of Michigan baseball team.”
    Erika felt excitement that she hadn’t felt in a long time. She had grown up in Haslett, and she knew Clay Thomas. “Okay, Dr. Frauss, I’ll do it. I need to get Logan to school and get to work. You can call me there, and we can exchange information. There are some things he’ll need to bring to be prepared.”
    “ Sure, Erika, I’ll set everything up. Thanks. I’ll talk to you later today.”

Chapter 4

    Roberto Gomez was standing in his living room with his youngest daughter in his arms. He was watching his tall, long-legged, sexy, blond wife, Stacy, jog down the street. He was waiting for her return so he could head to work. Roberto had been given his job by Adrian Payne, who hired Stacy for her looks, and then hired Roberto to impress her with his generosity. Roberto hated Adrian Payne just as much as everyone else did, probably more, but since his disappearance, the job he’d provided had supported the Gomez family. Stacy had quit sometime after she had her first child, and Marshall Mortonson, Payne’s partner, had given the job to Erika so that she and her son could survive without her husband. Stacy and Roberto had been bringing meals to Erika ever since the train wreck. He often wondered if Erika was as happy that her husband was missing as everyone else was.
    When Stacy entered the house, Roberto, a very handsome Hispanic man, who was three inches shorter than his wife, quickly handed over the child, grabbed up his keys and phone, and said, “Morty called. There’s some kind of problem at the railroad that needs my attention. Something about brake work. Gotta run.”
    “ I need to do some grocery shopping today, so I can make dinner,” Stacy informed her husband.
    “ Are we going to see Logan?” Anna, their seven-year-old daughter asked.
    “ No, we take them meals on Thursdays. Not tonight, Honey.”
    Roberto gave each of the girls a hug. Stacy gave a soft kiss and ran her fingers through his long, dark hair—he loved her more than anything and would do anything to help her, provide for her, and protect her.
    “ Have a nice day, Robbie!” said Stacy. “Call me if you’re coming home for lunch.”
    “ I love you, Stacy. Adios.”
    ***
    When Roberto arrived, Marshall Mortonson greeted him outside the depot. Police lights were flashing and the train yard was in a moderate state of confusion. Police Chief Luke Hopper was standing outside of his vehicle talking to Officer Dan Duncan on the police radio. A cargo train was just finishing a turn on the wye track at the end of the yard where it would come to rest on the repair track. Marshall was only in his early forties, but he appeared much older because of graying, balding, and a paunchy mid-section. He explained to Roberto that his brake repair expertise was needed on the slowly moving train engine.
    “ Lemme get my tools, Mr. Mortonson, an’ I’ll get right on it. Why’s ‘Copper’ here?” Roberto asked, using the nickname that always annoyed the Police Chief.
    “ Another breakin at the depot. I called it in, but it’s no use. There’s never anything missing and never a clue left behind.”
    “