Bost is well-known attorney, former school board member and Democrat. He was also an active deacon in his church.

He has been missing since April 16.

The Moore County Sheriff's Department still hopes there will be a break in the case. The department has chased down all the leads so far and found nothing.

"We've pursued all the leads and none have been fruitful," Chief Deputy Neil Godfrey said. "Hopefully something else will come up."

Bost, 53, disappeared from his home in Seven Lakes without taking his car, wallet, cell phone or any personal items.

He lives with his brother, Wayland, who told detectives that it wasn't odd for the two brothers not to see each other for days at a time because they kept different schedules.

Wayland Bost declined to speak on the record. He said his mother, Marlene, also will not talk about the matter.

According to a Sheriff's Department report, his mother was the last person to see Bost. He came to see her at her home in Pinehurst.

Wayland told officers that he went into his brother's room in their home April 23 to wash clothes. The washer and dryer are in his that room, the report said.

He saw a tote bag that he said his brother keeps with him always, his wallet and two cell phones.

Wayland went to his mother's house to ask if she'd seen him and she said she hadn't, according to the report. She then called the First Baptist Church in Pinehurst and asked if he had been there that Sunday.

Pastor David Marks said he had not been at church that Sunday.

"He was faithful to the nth degree," Marks said in an interview Monday. "It was really unusual for him not to be here."

The detectives canvassed Bost's neighborhood around Seven Lakes and no one recalled seeing him. According to his family, the only medical condition he has is hypoglycemia. They told police that he abstains from drinking and doesn't take medication.

Deputies used a police dog to try to detect Bost's scent. The dog failed to pick up a trail. Search teams formed to look for a body.

Marks was in one of the search teams. He said he never expected to be looking for someone he knew.

"It was almost a surreal kind of thing," he said. "It seemed really strange that day."

The search turned up nothing. Those who know Bost hope he will show up again.

Bost is the type of person who always has a new joke, Marks said.

"He always had some type of corny joke he would share," Marks said.

Bost is a big Duke University basketball fan, Marks said, and could name every player from every team for the last 20 years. Bost went to Duke for undergraduate study and then Campbell for law school.

Bost also likes to regale people with stories of those he's rubbed elbows with, such as Govs. Jim Hunt and Terry Sanford.

Marks said many people didn't know that Bost is a novelist. Bost would often dole out his work to Marks for perusal, one chapter at a time.

"He wouldn't give you the whole thing," Marks said.

Bost is devoted to the young people of the church, Marks said. He is a charter member and served as deacon for the last three years. He is also the director of Sunday school. He enjoys working with young adults, Marks said. He possesses a great knowledge of the Scriptures.

The congregation is having a difficult time dealing with the loss, because there is such uncertainty.

"We're still praying," Marks said, "either that Bill will show up, or there would be some type of closure."

Matthew Moriarty may be reached at 693-2479 or by e-mail at moriarty@thepilot.com.