Im sorry. We dont know how it happened.
What happened, damn it?
Kristen shot him a look full of unadulterated terror.
She didnt return with the rest of her class after recess, Jennifer answered, sounding sick. We dont know where she is.
Get your security guards to start searching every inch of the grounds.
Ive already sent my assistant out to do just that. I dont think we should panic yet, Mr. Cooper. Its possible that she was there for the snake incident and ran away to hide because she was scared.
Ive already sent my assistant out to do just that. I dont think we should panic yet, Mr. Cooper. Its possible that she was there for the snake incident and ran away to hide because she was scared.
He wished he could believe that, but he knew that snakes didnt scare Maddy. Hed actually had to give her a lesson on not touching snakes unless a grown-up was there to supervise, for fear shed end up trying to befriend a ground rattler or one of the bigger copperheads that roamed the woods near the lake.
Please call me back with any news. Im on my way.
Should we contact the police?
Ill handle that, Sam answered, ringing off only long enough to dial his brother-in-laws cell phone number. A few moments later, Hannahs husband answered. Deputy Patterson.
Riley, its Sam. Maddys missing from her preschool and Im about thirty minutes out. I need you to go there and supervise the search if you can.
Of course. What can you tell me?
He outlined for his brother-in-law what Jennifer Franks had told him. You know Maddy-a snake wouldnt have scared her away. Im afraid the man who tried to take her before may have gotten to her this time.
I thought Jefferson County had the guy in custody.
They have Darryl Morris in custody-but Cissy just woke up from her coma. She said Morris definitely isnt the guy who attacked her.
Son of a bitch, Riley growled. Did she give you a description of who we are looking for?
I left as soon as I heard Morris wasnt the guy. Detective Foley with the GRPD is still there taking her statement. Right now, were just looking for Maddy.
Im about five minutes away from the preschool, Riley said. Ill call you in a few. He rang off.
Sam snapped his cell phone shut. This isnt happening.
This is my fault, Kristen muttered, white-knuckling the steering wheel through the interstate traffic. I knew in my gut Morris was too easy an answer, but I wanted to believe it was over.
We all did, Sam said firmly. The last thing Kristen needed to do was second-guess herself now, when she needed to focus. Dont kick yourself. The evidence was there. We just didnt know there were missing pieces.
Except Morris told us all along there was someone else involved, Kristen said, her tone full of disgust. I should have looked deeper.
You will now.
She released a shaky breath, and for the first time Sam realized she was hovering on the edge of tears. Im so sorry, Sam. I never should have agreed to let Carl put me in charge of protecting Maddy. I knew it was a bad idea.
If youd still been with Maddy, she wouldnt be missing, Sam replied. You wouldnt have taken your eye off her for even a second. So stop blaming yourself. We all thought she was out of danger. He touched her shoulder. I need you with me on this. I need your focus. Tell me you can do that.
She spared him a quick look. I can do that.
They had reached their exit on the Interstate. Theyd be at the school in ten minutes. Sam tried to keep his mind away from worst-case scenarios. The snake might not have scared Maddy, but shed shown a hearty self-protective streak over the past few days, hiding first from the kidnapper and then from her mother when shed felt threatened by Norahs careless comments.
Could she be hiding? Kristen asked, her mind moving in tandem with his. I know the snake wouldnt have scared her, but maybe all the commotion spooked her?
Maybe. He was afraid to hope. His gut was telling him it wouldnt be that easy. Not this time.
Kristen killed the sirens about a block from the preschool. The kidsll be freaked out enough as it is.
He slanted a look at her, wondering how she could possibly believe she wasnt mother material. Even with all the uncertainty about Maddys whereabouts, Kristen had enough presence of mind to worry about the other children.
He hadnt even given them a thought.
Riley Patterson was waiting for them at the front of the school, easy to spot thanks to his signature pearl-gray Stetson, a legacy of his native Wyoming. Sam could tell by the look on his brother-in-laws face that the news wasnt good.
Weve found her backpack in the bushes near the side gate. Rileys voice was tight. And one of the security guards is missing.
Missing? Sam frowned at Riley. You think someone got rid of him to get to Maddy?
Were not sure, Riley said. Theres no sign of a struggle, no blood or anything like that-
Wheres the backpack? Kristen asked. Shed already pulled on a pair of latex gloves.
Riley gestured for them to follow. I wanted to wait until you got here to take a look at it. Youd know whats missing, if anything. He led them around the side of the building, where a yellow barrier tape flapped lazily in the warm midday breeze. A handful of people from the neighborhood had gathered outside the fence, watching curiously as Sam, Kristen and Riley approached the backpack lying on its side near the bushes.
Sam felt moisture burning his eyes as he saw Maddys name written in faded denim letters stitched to the side of the backpack. Hannah had made those letters for Maddy out of a pair of old jeans and let Maddy help her stitch them to the bag.
His whole family had pitched in when he returned home to Alabama with his little girl, knowing how much harder her life was going to be without a mother there for her full-time. If something had happened to his baby-
Kristens warm hand slipped into his. He looked down at her and found her gazing up at him with scared blue eyes. But her jaw was squared and mingled with the fear was a bracing double shot of determination.
Focus on the evidence, she said. You packed the bag for her this morning, right? Tell me if somethings missing.
He squeezed her hand, grateful for her calming presence. He hunkered down with her as she crouched beside the backpack, watching her carefully open the bag to look inside.
Bandits missing, he said aloud, noticing the stuffed raccoons absence immediately. Maddys favorite toy had taken up most of the space in the bag.
Her stuffed raccoon, Kristen explained when Riley gave Sam a querying look. Shes very attached. She pulled the zipper down farther. There was a small gold change purse inside-empty, since Maddy had no concept of money. She only liked the little purse because of its shiny color.
Kristen picked up the purse, looking at it, her eyes damp. Sam put his hand on her back, and she shot him a grateful look. Putting the purse down, she opened one of the outside pockets. Commander Patterson, do you have tweezers or something like that?
What is it? Sam asked as Riley reached into his pocket and brought out a slim, leather-bound tool kit.
It looks like a piece of paper. Kristen took the tweezers Riley gave her and reached into the zippered pocket to withdraw a small piece of paper folded into four sections. Using the tweezers and the very tip of her gloved finger, she nudged the paper open.
There was writing inside, blocky letters just like the ones Sam had found on the back of the photos Darryl Morris had delivered to the D.A.s office.
Lets make a deal, Kristen read aloud, her voice shaking. Your life for hers.
Riley muttered a soft string of curses.
What kind of sick game is this guy playing? Kristen dropped the note into the clear plastic bag Riley had produced from his jacket pocket and started going through the other pockets with greater urgency, as if hoping shed find something that would contradict the message shed just discovered.
What kind of sick game is this guy playing? Kristen dropped the note into the clear plastic bag Riley had produced from his jacket pocket and started going through the other pockets with greater urgency, as if hoping shed find something that would contradict the message shed just discovered.
I dont think its a game, Sam said thoughtfully, his initial fear beginning to subside. At least he could be pretty sure his daughter was still alive, if the man was talking about a trade. The fact that Bandit was missing also gave him hope; only someone who cared about Maddys emotional state would have bothered dragging the stuffed toy along with them.
Whoever had taken Maddy wanted her alive, as a pawn in his game, not as a victim. It wasnt great news, but Sam would take it. It was a hell of a lot better than finding his daughters body under the bushes instead.
Riley put his hand on Sams shoulder. Im going to call this in and get a few more deputies down here. Ill see if the DEA can spare Aaron, too.
Sam stood and shook Rileys hand. Thanks, man. Call Hannah, too. She needs to let the rest of the family know whats going on.
As Riley went to make the radio call, Sam turned to Kristen. Was there anything else in the backpack?
Kristen shook her head. That was it.
So hes going to find a way to get in touch with me.
Kristen pulled her gloves off and planted herself in front of him. Youre not making a trade, Sam.
You cant stop me.
She moved even closer, her gaze locked with his. If you try to make the deal, youre just playing his game.
Its the only game in town, Kristen. He laid his hands on her shoulders, running his thumbs gently over the curve of her collarbone. I will do anything for my daughter. Including die for her, if it comes to that.
I know that. But we cant be stupid about this.
What am I supposed to do? He felt some of his control begin to slip. That man has my daughter. He holds all the cards here. Were practically at square one now that Cissys eliminated Morris as a suspect.
No, were not. Kristen closed her hands over his, her fingers warm and strong. Cissy is giving Foley a description as we speak. And, you know, Darryl Morris may have been telling the truth about his accomplice. We may be able to get more information from him.
Something that had been niggling at the back of Sams mind since hed arrived at the preschool snapped into focus. The missing guard, he said.
Kristens brow creased for a second, then smoothed with a look of understanding. The guard took Maddy.