Part XI

    Officer Matthew Richardson was the rookie on the Southside beat.  It was boring taking on reports of vandalism, and childish robberies, but it would take a few years to get the more serious cases.  So he knew it wasn't a big case when the chief handed him a missing persons report.
    "Here ya go, Richie.  See what you can do with this.  Anonymous report.
    "Got it boss."  He took the report and gave it the once over.  Standard stuff.  Guy goes missing for three weeks or so until someone finally notices.  Must have been a low life to have made it that long.  It was a simple follow up, a background check, stopping by the residence and employer.  If he was lucky, there would be drugs involved, maybe even a body.  "Ok Mr. Bertstrum, lets see what skeletons you're hiding..."
    None.  There wasn't a single bone, at least on paper.  Rich kid born in Ohio, six figure inheritance when he turned 18.  Disappears for a couple years before turning up in Southside.  Takes up a job a Luhdman's off the bat and gets fired.  That place closed down a few years back.  Just wasn't the same after the fire.  Latest job is in downtown at the Winston building.  Mail tech, funny.  Been there for over ten years.  Odd for someone who might not want to be found.  But what's a guy swimming in money like that doing in a place like this, hiding?  So he gets in line with the wrong crowd, things turn ugly, and he goes into hiding only to be found and taken care of.  It wouldn't be the first time that a man had more interest in someone else's money.  It's a missing person, not a homicide, yet.  So kidnapping's a possibility.  But after all this time?  Doesn't make sense.   I'll check out his place first and go from there.
    Richie pulled up to the side of the apartment building and looked around.  An out of the way, half hidden structure as this was notorious for drugs back in the day.  After some big busts though, the sharks left the small time dealers to take the heat.  He saw an old man across the street sitting on his balcony, apparently talking to himself.  I'll see if he has anything to say when I come back down.
    "Jarvis Bertstrum, police department.  I need you to open the door."  He stood outside and knocked with authority.  "If you're in there Mr. Bertstrum, there's been a missing persons report filed on you and I need to make sure you're ok.  So please open the door."  Like Betty had done before, he turned the handle and was surprised to find it unlocked.  His right had went to his holster and he pushed the door open.
    The room was empty.  No sign of a struggle, no apparent foul play had occurred in this room.  It was neat, although the cheap furniture and outdated TV gave it a welfare feel.  Seeing nothing suspicious, he knocked on the door to the second room.  
    "Sir, if you're in there, this is the police department.  I just have a few questions. "  His fingers slid around the pistol grip and he unsnapped the keeper.  With a quick unholstering of his weapon he threw open the door and was cut off mid sentence.  "Put your han-"  What the hell?  He holstered his weapon and reached for his radio.  
    "Unit 23 charlie to dispatch."
    "Dispatch, send it."
    "Unit responding to missing persons case 7283-3.  Get me the chief, he's gonna want to see this..."