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“We can’t tell for sure. But I would advise that you don’t underestimate him. I mean, that’s what landed us here in the first place,” Hudson cautioned.
“All right, we’ll have that in mind. We’ll look up his profile on the database and see what we can find. Go home and get some rest. You’ve got nothing to worry about. Just let us know when he contacts you. Also, let us know where you’ll be meeting up with him.”
I left the station feeling a lot more relieved. I still had my doubts, but I chose to believe in the words of the sheriff.
Amy had insisted that I talk to Madison and clear the air. She was right. I had not handled things the right way. I was sucked up in my own sorrows and ignored how my actions must have made her feel.
She was in her room when we got back. She was just lying down with her eyes turned to the other side of the wall.
“Hey, are you asleep?” I asked.
She shook her head but wouldn’t turn back to look at me. I shut the door behind me and walked over to the bed.
“Can we talk?” I asked, sitting at the edge of the bed, my eyes fixed on her.
She heaved a deep sigh, then sat up straight without uttering a word.
“I’m sorry, Madison. I’ve really been unfair to you. I let my grief overshadow my reasoning. I didn’t realize how much I was hurting your feelings, or perhaps I just chose to prioritize how I felt over yours, which was a selfish thing to do.”
“Through everything that has happened, nothing has hurt me more than the silent treatment you fed me all through the evening until this morning. I felt so guilty, like I had brought all of my baggage to your doorstep and cost you the freedom of your little girl. Above all, I didn’t wish for us to part in that manner. I didn’t wish to leave without having to say a word, get a kiss, or a hug at least.”
“You’re not going anywhere. I won’t let him take you away from me.”
“But he has June. He’ll hurt her if I don’t do what he wants.”
“He won’t hurt her either. Amy and I got the police involved.”
“What did they have to say?”
“They promised they’d take it up and ensure you and June are out of harm’s way. The plan is to just play along. We’ll pretend to give in to his demands so we can lure him out. I won’t let him get his hands on you, not for more than a couple of minutes, of course. I’ll get you back to me.”
“Thank you. I really don’t want to be with him.” Tears began to roll down her cheeks again.
“I know. You won’t. Trust me.” I drew her close and placed her head on my chest while caressing her back. I kissed her on the forehead and allowed her to wrap her arms around me. Amy had left right after dropping me off, so it was just Madison and me at home.
The next day, we anxiously waited for Dylan’s call. It felt like forever. The sheriff had sent some policemen to the house—one of them, a detective, called the shots while the other simply followed his directions. They came along with a tracking device to try to track Dylan’s phone call down to his location. Amy had come over as well.
It was already 9:00 p.m. The officers had waited long enough and were about to leave when Madison’s phone rang.
“He’s calling!” Madison announced to the rest of us.
The detective signaled her to go ahead and pick up the call.
“Hello?” she tried to sound as normal as she could.
“I’ll only ask this once: Are you ready to meet my demands now?”
“I would like to speak to my girl first,” I demanded with an air of defiance.
“Would you rather I drop this call instead?” Dylan asked.
“We’re ready to comply,” Madison cut in, signaling to me to calm down.
“I’ll text you an address shortly. Meet me there now,” Dylan said.
The detective signaled to Madison to keep the call going for much longer.
“Wait! There’s something I’d like to say first,” Madison interjected.
