Page 29 of Traces of Kara

“As a matter of fact—” he pushed Ted’s hand away from the lever, “yes, it will.” He gave him a chiding look. Jackson led them up the open staircase to the second floor. “We’ve got a backup generator, but we don’t need that craggy old thing turning on. The damn thing is on its last leg.”

Mimi looked down the open two stories as they climbed the grated metal stairs. She gripped the metal handrails.

“I wouldn’t touch that,” Jackson said.

“Too late.” Mimi held up a blackened palm.

“Just don’t scratch your nose,” he said.

“Why is the whole building open like this?” She looked down at the first floor. The center of the building was open from floor to ceiling.

“Circulation,” Jackson explained.

“Jackson, I’m not sure what we think we’ll find, or even if Kara is missing, but did you notice anything out of the ordinary on Wednesday?”

Jackson shook his head as they reached the landing. “I wasn’t here. We were supposed to have a new employee start that night, but he never showed up.”

Mimi shot a concerned look at Ted.

“You’re sure? Any chance he might have shown up and…I don’t know…done something to Kara?” Ted said.

Mimi gasped. Ted verbalized what she’d been afraid to. “Ted?” Her eyes grew wide. “Do you think that could have happened?” She crossed her arms across her chest and covered her mouth with her hand.

“No,” Jackson said quickly. “I don’t think so. Corporate does complete screenings on our employees. Anyway, the guy never showed up. He left a message on my voicemail. He took another job.”

“Oh, thank goodness,” Mimi said.

They walked into the small, barren office. Two metal desks faced opposite walls, a file cabinet next to each one. Jackson ran his finger down the list of time cards on the wall, withdrawing Kara’s.

“See, here it is. She was here, and she clocked out a few minutes early, which is no great shakes. They all do that once in a while.” He set the time card back in the holder and looked at his watch. “Since she didn’t show up to take Ben’s slot, she’s not due back until tomorrow night at seven. Any chance she just took off for a day? I’m sure the whole town knows about Daryl, and Kara’s sensitive.”

“She would have told me,” Mimi said. Her eyebrows drew together. “Or maybe she wouldn’t have.”

“She has no car,” Ted said.

“Right. Her car’s in the shop.” Mimi sat in one of the chairs.

An alarm echoed off the walls. Mimi jumped, covering her ears. “What’s that?” she asked.

“Alarm. Coal chute is clogged.” Jackson looked at his watch. “I’ll have to get that. No crew for another forty-five minutes. Hold tight. This shouldn’t take long.”

“Can I help?” Ted asked. “I’ve always wondered what it was that Kara does all night.”

“Be my guest. We’re closing soon anyway. It’s probably the last chance you’ll have to see the chute in action,” Jackson said. “Grab the mask, gloves, and goggles.”

“Really?” Ted asked.

“Really.” Jackson raised his voice above the beeping of the alarm. “Trust me on this. You don’t want to get that stuff in your lungs.”

Ted turned to Mimi. “Are you okay, Mim? Do you mind?”

“Of course not. I’m fine. Go. How often do you get to see a clogged coal chute? I need to find the ladies’ room, anyway.”

“Downstairs, across the hall, turn left. That’s the cleanest one, I’d imagine. No one uses it.”

Mimi smiled. “Got it. Thanks.” She covered her ears, “Can you turn off that beeping?”

Mimi walked across the open first floor. Enormous tanks lined the far wall. Four massive grates made up one side of the floor, giving Mimi a view into the underbelly of the plant. A pool of water lay far beneath the grates. Mimi circumvented them, walking toward the hallway Jackson had mentioned. Each of her steps echoed. She wished she’d worn her sneakers. The screeching of the alarm continued.