Missing: The Oregon City Girls. Rick Watson

shakes her head. “I think she had too many problems of her own to pay attention to what was going on with Ashley. That’s just my opinion, though.” Maria sighs heavily.

      “Maria, we’re not giving up—not now, not ever.”

      Maria flashes her a grateful look.

      A few days later, Linda pays a visit to the Regional Office of the Oregon State Department of Human Services and is directed to Veronica Woodruff, a dark-haired woman in her fifties.

      “Ma’am,” Linda says quietly, “I know that on August 31 of last year, the Assistant District Attorney notified your office of allegations made by a minor, Ashley Pond, of attempted rape that occurred a few weeks earlier. I also discovered from their office that Ward Weaver allegedly committed this assault. And what I need to know is, did your office conduct an investigation? And if so, what was the determination?” Linda leans toward the woman, giving her a business card. “Please, I’m just trying to help the family find out what happened to her, and there may be some clues here, can you help us?”