The Rule of Three

Chapter 18

"Next on News at 5, two days ago on Sunday November 17th, 16 year old Patterson Jones went missing from Triwood, Oregon," the news anchor of the evening news says, "the young girl was last seen at her home in central Triwood, and her car was found abandoned yesterday morning on the side of Highway 47. Officials have begun the search for the missing teen in the forest area surrounding the highway. No known suspect has been named," the anchor disappears from the screen and a photo of Patterson has replaced her. "Authorities are asking for the communities help in finding Patterson Jones, if you have seen her or have any helpful information please call the number on the screen." The screen shows the anchor once again; she looks up from the papers sitting on the desk in front of her. "When asked if Patterson's disappearance held any connection to the attack of her sister, Gaillard Jones, authorities said there is no known connection at this time. For our viewers who are unaware, Gaillard Jones was attacked in her home last week on the 12th. She remains in critical condition-"

The TV goes black. Copeland turns around to see her Aunt Kerry standing behind her with the TV remote in hand, "Don't watch that." She walks through the room and sits next to Copeland, "It will only make you feel worse." She wraps her arm around Copeland who lays her head on her shoulder. "Detective Williams has over half of the city searching for Patterson; the doctor's have round the clock care watching over Gaillard," Kerry tucks a strand of hair behind Copeland's ears, "and I am here solely for you." She plants a kiss on the top of Copeland's head, "Talk to me sweet heart."

Copeland takes a deep breath, "I- I just wish I wasn't useless." Copeland sits up and looks to her aunt.

Kerry looks Copeland in the eyes and says, "You are not useless; don't ever think that." Copeland half-heartedly smiles and looks down to her hands in her lap. "You are not useless-"

"It's ok," Copeland interrupts her and stands up, "I'm ok, really. Gaillard is in a coma, Patterson is missing, and I am sitting here complaining."

"Sweet heart it's ok," Kerry says as she stands up and tries to bring Copeland back to the couch.

Copeland pulls her arm free and turns and heads for the stairs, "I'll be upstairs if you need me."

"Copeland, wait," Kerry calls, but the only response she gets is the sound of Copeland's bedroom door closing. She sits back down on the couch and lays her head in her hands. Anna has been running between the hospital and the search party for the past two days, and Kerry's only job was to take care of Copeland. She felt as though she was letting her sister down. Just then, Kerry hears a knock on the door. After taking a moment to collect herself, she goes to answer the door. Astonished, she sees Murphy standing on the front porch. "Honey what are you doing here?" Kerry opens her arms to hug Murphy, but she ducks and barges into the house.

"Where is my mom?" Murphy asks angrily. She rushes to the living room before Kerry can give her an answer.

"She's out, Murphy what's wrong?" Kerry says as she closes the front door and follows Murphy into the living room.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Murphy asks again.

"Tell you what?" Kerry asks.

"About Patterson," Murphy yells. Kerry takes a deep breath and folds her arms. "Did you think I wouldn't find out that my little sister is missing?" Murphy asks again. "I should have heard it from mom, not from some friend who saw it on the news," Murphy yells. She takes a deep breath and puts her hands on her hips. She looks up to her aunt, "Well?"

Kerry takes Murphy by the hand and leads her to the couch. "Your mom thought it would be best to wait to tell you," Murphy snatches her hands from Kerry's and continues to glare at her. "Look, she knew you would come home immediately if you knew-"

"Hell yeah I would, my little sister is missing," Murphy jabs.

Kerry sighs, "I know, and I'm sorry." Kerry takes Murphy's hands again. "You're mom didn't want you to miss anymore class. You've worked so hard this semester; she didn't want that to go to waste this close to the end of the semester," Kerry squeezes her hands. "We were going to tell you Friday. Next week is Thanksgiving break, so you wouldn't miss as much school," Kerry waits for Murphy's response.

Murphy takes a deep breath, "Well, I'm here now, so how can I help?"

"Go back to school," Kerry offers. Angry, Murphy stands up with arms folded and begins pacing through the room.

"I know you didn't just say that to me," Murphy says biting her tongue before she blows up on her aunt.

"Look, your mother is spread thin already. She's busy visiting Gaillard and searching for Patterson," Kerry pauses and makes sure Murphy is listening, "if she knows you're not at school, it will only become another thing she has to worry about-"

"No one has to worry about me; I can take care of myself," Murphy snaps back.

"I know, but that doesn't mean she won't," Kerry tries to explain. "She is your mother; she will worry about you and your sisters for the rest of your lives," Kerry pauses and then sighs realizing what she said. She looks up to Murphy knowing she has hurt her. "I'm sorry," she pauses, "they are going to be ok." She drops her head into her hands again while trying to fight back tears.

Murphy sighs and sits next to Kerry sensing her guilt over the comment. "I know they will be," Murphy says smiling to Kerry, "I just wish someone would have told me." Murphy places her arm around her aunt. After a few moments, Murphy looks to Kerry, "Where is mom now?" she asks.

"She and Grandma M just left the hospital and are now with the search parties," Kerry says as she sits up and looks to Murphy who looks a little confused.

"Then who is with Gaillard?" she asks.

"Your grandmother, Ms. Penelope is staying with her," Kerry answers with a smile.

"Grandma J? When did she get in town?" Murphy asks. At first, she was angry that no one had told her Patterson was missing, now she is confused and wondering how much else she has not been told.

"She and your grandfather have been trying to get here since Gaillard was attacked, but they were only able to get in Monday," Kerry explained, "Anna told them about Patterson when they landed."

"I'm guessing mom isn't letting Dad help just like she wouldn't let him see Gaillard?" Murphy asks. She looks to Kerry who looks down to her lap with out giving an answer. "Come on, he's her dad. I know you don't think it, but he wants what is best for-"

"Murphy," Kerry interrupts her before she can finish. "He can't help because he's the one that took her, or at least we think," Kerry searches Murphy's face trying to predict her response.

"What?" Murphy whispers. "Why would you think that?"

"Because, he slapped Copeland a few weeks ago, and he refuses to tell us or the police where he was Sunday night," Kerry tries to reason with her niece.

Murphy shakes her head and knits her eyebrows together, "He didn't kidnap Patterson; it's not possible."

Kerry sighs; she hates that she has to be the one to tell Murphy this. She hates that anyone would have to tell Murphy this, "You don't know that, sweet heart." Kerry whispers as she gently places a hand on Murphy's cheek.

"Yes Aunt Kerry, I do," Murphy insists. She pushes Kerry's hand away from her face. "There is no way dad kidnapped Patterson," Murphy states again.

"How could you possibly know that?" Kerry asks sympathetically.

Murphy looks her aunt in the eyes and says, "Because he was with me the entire night."