"Is Duane over there?"
"No, I don't think so. Just a second, I'll check," Isaac replied.
He stuck Taylor in hold and then hit the intercom.
"Hey is Duane here anyone?"
"No Dad," Duke replied.
"When was the last time you saw him?"
"Lunch."
"Okay, thanks."
Isaac picked up the phone.
"Tay?"
"Is he there?"
"No, and the last time they saw him was lunch. What's this about?"
"Duane has disappeared and I have no idea where he could be."
"Ouch! It's getting late. When did you last see him?"
"Hours ago! After lunch I think."
"Well, I'll ask the kids again. If I found out anything I'll let you know."
"Thanks man."
They hung up. Then Taylor rang up a few minutes later and said that he had called the police but had been told to wait until he had been missing for twenty-four hours.
"Twenty-four hours might be too late," he moaned.
"I'm sure he's fine," Isaac assured him. "Don't worry, we'll find him. He might be on his way back as we speak."
"The kids didn't tell you anything?"
"No. Sorry dude."
Taylor seemed comforted by this, but by morning he was stressed again and Rita was beside herself with worry. The first part of the morning was spent looking for him, and after lunch Taylor rang the police again demanding they do something as it had been twenty-four hours now and did they know who he was? What if Duane had been kidnapped?
It was midday the following Monday when Taylor came home from another search. His eyes were bleak and he looked horrible.
"Anything?" Rita asked.
Taylor nodded.
"Where is he?"
"The... the morgue," he choked out.
"No. No, are you sure?"
Taylor leaned on the table, one hand wiping the tears that came.
"I was... I was looking and I got a call, they said... oh man... a boy had been found in a hole at the construction yard. They wanted me to identify him, in case it was Duane..."
"It wasn't was it? Please tell me it wasn't."
"I... I can't Rita. Because it was Duane! It was!" Taylor sobbed.
"No," she whispered. "No."