I held her tight, feeling her sobs reverberate through both of us.Her tears soaked into my shirt, but I didn't care.I focused on being a solid presence for her to cling to, offering what little comfort I could.
Minutes passed in silence, broken only by Claire's quiet cries.Gradually, her sobs subsided into soft sniffles.Her grip on my shirt loosened, and she pulled back slightly to look at me with red-rimmed eyes.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, voice barely audible.
I shook my head."Don't be."My voice was steady, reassuring.
She looked at me for a long moment before nodding slowly."Thank you," she murmured.
"What happened?"I asked again.
Claire pulled back, wiping her tears with the back of her hand.Her eyes were still wet, but she managed to hold my gaze.
"My grandmother," she began, her voice shaky."I can't find her anywhere."
I ran my hands up and down her back in a soothing motion."Where have you checked?"
"Everywhere," she said, her voice rising in frustration."The rooms, the back, the front...I've been all over this place."
"Okay," I said calmly."Let's think this through.When was the last time you saw her?"
Claire sniffled and took a deep breath."This morning, around breakfast.She was in the kitchen making tea."
"And after that?"
"I went out to run some errands," she explained."When I came back, she wasn't in the kitchen anymore."
"Did you notice anything unusual?Anything out of place?"I asked, trying to keep her focused.
She shook her head slowly."No...everything seemed normal."
I glanced around the room, searching for any clues that might help us piece this together."Have you talked to anyone else?Maybe someone saw her leave?"
Claire nodded."Yes, but no one saw anything unusual.That's why I called the police."
"What did they say?"I asked.
"They'll keep an eye out," she replied, her voice trembling again."But there's nothing they can do right now."
I took a deep breath, trying to stay calm for both our sakes."All right, let's go over this step by step."
Claire's eyes focused on mine as she nodded slowly.
"Did she have any plans today?Anywhere she might have gone?"I asked.
"No," Claire answered."She usually stays here at the inn."
"Does she have any friends or relatives nearby?"I continued.
"No," Claire said again."It's just us."
"Any health issues we should be worried about?"I asked gently.
Claire shook her head once more."She's in good health for her age besides…" She sucked in a breath.
"Okay," I said, my mind racing with possibilities."Let's check outside again and ask around one more time."
Claire hesitated for a moment before nodding in agreement.
