“Okay. I can see if either of them can help us. Do you think they can get access to the adoption file? Or my boss can?”
“Tricia or Sydney would know or can find the answer.” Todd tried to figure out what had happened to the parents. “A family doesn’t just disappear.”
“Not without a trace.” Bridget set her phone down. “But I know I saw an article about the accident. It doesn’t make sense it disappeared.”
“Let’s figure out where the accident happened. Then we can figure out who to talk to. I’ve got friends in law enforcement all over this part of the state.” He just needed a starting place.
“Maybe we should figure out Odette’s maiden name. That would give us another way to find her. I can also checksocial media.” Bridget began clicking again. “There has to be something here.”
“I agree, but I can’t find it.” And it was maddening. “In today’s world, everyone has a social media footprint.”
“Unless they got rid of it for a reason.”
“What’s the reason? Who are they hiding from?” As soon as he said it, Todd wanted to smack his forehead. “Why didn’t I consider that before? They weren’t leaving Waverly for a job. They were leaving to hide from someone.”
He seemed sosure of himself that Bridget hesitated to challenge him, yet she had to wonder if the principal wouldn’t have brought it up if that was the case. Surely someone would have mentioned it. “We need to know more about her brother.”
“We need to go to Wayne.”
“I can’t. My job is to stay with Eliza, in case we can’t find someone to make medical decisions for her.” Bridget wanted to stomp out of the room and never come back. Her fatigue lay like a heavy blanket across her shoulders. “I hate hospitals.”
“Me too.” Todd eased her toward him. “It always makes me remember when my dad was sick. I spent too much time in hospitals then.”
“I’m sorry.” She wanted to nestle closer but forced herself to stiffen.
“Me too.” He tugged her again.
This time she stopped resisting and let herself relax, for just a moment, into his strength. She could forget about the smells and sounds of the hospital. Pretend she was anywhere but there, as she let herself be comforted by his solid presence. The moment she felt herself truly relaxing, she pushed back and lifted herchin. She cleared her throat. “I’ll see what Sydney and I can find from our computers.”
Todd watched her closely, as if he could see her. Really see her. “I’ll get on the road. I can get to Wayne in time to learn something helpful. Maybe find out what happened to her family.”
“Or you waste four hours.”
“I’ll call the principal and a couple other people from the road. If time is as critical as you say, I can’t wait until tomorrow.”
“Who else will you talk to?”
“In addition to the principal? My friend. See if I can find some neighbors at home.” He shrugged. “I’ll investigate. It’s what I’m good at.”
“All right. Be careful.”
“You, too. This is where things got dangerous last night.” He hesitated as if he had more to say.
She pinned him with a look. “What aren’t you telling me?”
“The man who injected Eliza last night? He moved with military precision and acted like he knew exactly where the cameras were. So be careful, all right? Just in case he isn’t done.”
“You know how to make a girl feel all warm and safe.”
“Better to be forewarned.”
She rolled her eyes. Just when she was starting to feel protected, he had to go and prove he was like everyone else. She was better off relying on herself. “You weren’t going to tell me, until I pushed. But thanks for the warning. Everyone’s more alert today than last night because we know what’s possible.”
“Don’t do that.”
“Do what?” Her jaw tightened as she wanted to push back against his concern.
“Create distance.”
