“Apparently he has a habit of sneaking outside the door for a cigarette when he thinks no one is watching. They think it’s possible that he might have moved away from the door to avoid being seen, perhaps slipped and fell…”
“I get the picture,” Bertie said. “I just hope he’s okay.”
It was starting to snow, and Harry turned on the wipers. “I hope we find him before the wind picks up and turns this into a blizzard.”
“According to the forecast, it could be a nasty night,” she agreed. The rest of their conversation was focused on how best to organize the search.
Harry parked the truck as close to the entrance as possible and they hurried inside. A group of staff members and residents were waiting in the lobby, some dressed and ready to begin the search.
A tall, thin woman came towards them. “Mr. Hogan, Ms Blackett, I’m so grateful to see you both. I’m Mrs. Galway, the administrator.” She handed them a photograph. “This is Mr. Butt.”
“Glad to be here,” Harry replied as he and Bertie looked at the photo. “I understand that breakfast was the last time anyone saw him.”
The administrator nodded. “He sat with his friends as usual and left, saying he’d meet them later for cards.”
“Where exactly have you searched?”
“Each resident searched their own suite while the rest of us searched the rest of the building: common rooms, closets and storage rooms… the cook even checked the walk-in freezer. He is not in the building, sir. I would stake my life on it.”
Harry nodded and rubbed his chin. “And he sometimes sneaks outside to smoke.”
“He thinks we don’t know it, but we do,” Mrs. Galway said with a smile. “The man is in his early eighties and has no serious health problems. His doctor says an occasional cigarette is not going to shorten his life at this stage.”
“You said you’ve searched the building… does that include the basement?”
“There’d be no earthly reason for him to go down there… and he’d have to use the service elevator in the back porch.” The administrator shook her head. “I can’t see it, but…” She looked at a man standing at the edge of the group. “Mr. Crowley, will you have the basement searched immediately, please?”
“It’s pretty open down there, Ma’am, except for the utility rooms. Price and Jones covered the entire area on their regular hourly maintenance checks. But, we’ll do it again if you want us to.”
Harry shook his head. “I don’t think it’s necessary, Mr. Crowley. Okay, we’ll divide into four groups, with an equal number of staff and residents in each group – or as close to equal as possible. Conditions are steadily getting worse out there, and we will soon lose daylight, so everyone stays with their group at all times. Understand?” All heads were nodding.
“Good. I will lead one group out from the back of the building. Ms Blackett will lead a group out from the front. Mr. Crowley and another maintenance worker…” he glanced at Crowley, who said “Price.” Harry nodded and continued, “Crowley and Price will lead the other two groups out from the sides of the building. Walk slowly and carefully because patches of ice are now covered with snow. Continue calling out to Mr. Butt as you go. Only the leaders will use cell phones to pass on information. Any questions?”
