The cellphone belonging to Julia's father rang
"Hello?"
"Is this Richard Conway?" A voiced asked.
"Who is this?"
"This is Deputy Longwell from the Buncombe County Sheriff's department, are you Mr. Conway?"
"Yes?"
"Mr. Conway, two days ago we found a small, compact car abandoned on a dirt road, and it's registered to your name. Do you have any information about this?"
"No, I don't know what you're talking about."
"Are you the father of Julia Conway?"
There was a pause, as Julia's father realized they were talking about his daughter.
"Yes! What's happened? Where's Julia?"
"Well, we don't exactly know sir. We found her car on a farm road about 15 miles up in the hills east of Asheville.
"Oh my God! Betty! Betty! Come here!"
"She left for college about a week ago." Julia's father explained.
"And where would that college be?"
"Indiana Tech"
"And where is Indiana Tech?"
"Fort Wayne! What happened? Where is my daughter?"
"Well, we found her car on a dirt road about 15 miles east of Asheville. Your daughter's belongings were found in it. This road belongs to a residence, and some of your daughter's belonging were also found at that residence. Our deputies arrested two older women living in that residence on charges of producing and selling narcotics. We believe your daughter might have been involved."
"What? No, my daughter? Absolutely not! She just left home a week ago! She doesn't know anyone out there."
"Out where sir?"
"Asheville! Wherever you are! Where is my daughter?"
"We don't know. But she was definitely in that residence. We have deputies looking for her now. We also found evidence she was with someone else, and it appears she is with that person now. Do you know who that might be?"
"Richard, what is it, what's going on?" Julia's mother asked.
"It's the Sheriff in Asheville. He says they found Julia's car abandoned on some farm road. They're looking for her now."
Betty put her hand to her mouth, and immediately sank to the floor.
"Hell, I don't know! She left for college on her own!" Julia's father replied to the Sheriff. "The Sheriff says they think she's with someone else." He said to his wife, still trying to collect herself on the floor.
"The two women we arrested says she was with another girl the same age, but was wearing no clothing." The Sheriff opted to add more information.
"Oh my God! Lara?" Julia's father replied.
"Lara?" The Sheriff asked.
"Lara Wellen, her best friend. She must have hitched a ride with Julia."
"What do you know about this Lara?"
"She lived down the block from us. Julia went to school with her."
"We couldn't find anything in your car, or at this residence to identify Lara. Would you know why she removed all her belongings from Julia's car?"
"Hell, I don't know!"
"Does Lara still maintain a residence on your block sir?"
"Well, her family has lived there for years."
"Do you have a phone number for Lara or anyone at her residence?"
"Betty! Get up Betty! Do you have a phone number for Lara or Lara's mother?"
"I, I don't know. I need to look." Betty said.
"OK, Mr. Conway. We're going to need you to come here to Asheville. We have a lot of questions to ask. We don't know what your daughter's involvement is at this time, but..."
"Well what about those two women you arrested? What are they saying?"
"Well listen, right now we have a lot of questions to ask, and right now we have your daughter and her friend somewhere in the National Forest. We need to understand why they're running, and what's going on. I can send officers to come pick you up, or you can meet us at our headquarters in Asheville. It's your choice, but we need your cooperation."
"OK, fine. I'll be there as soon as I can."
