Page 47 of Bring Them Home

“Uh-huh.”

They watched as the woman got into the back of the black van ahead of Brooke.

Amanda sat back. “I’ll be.”

“I’d say we were right with our assumption. She cornered Brooke in the restroom. But what if Brooke didn’t go in there alone? I mean the chances were against that happening. You ladies like to go in groups.” Trent smiled at her.

She’d argue that point, if she had ground to stand on. “I’m sure this woman would have figured out another way to get to her. I’m curious what she said or did to ensure Brooke’s cooperation.”

“She likely threatened to hurt her family.”

She nodded. “That seems likely, but I’m thinking Brooke’s friends might have something to offer. This woman stands out, like you said, so they must have noticed her.”

“Well, let’s go talk to the girls. What are their names again?”

Amanda opened the original email from Briggs. “The ones she was in the most regular contact with were Sadie Robinson and Charlotte Brady.” She searched for them in the Department of Motor Vehicles database and found they had their learner’s permits. Once their photos were on the screen, Trent spoke.

“That’s them. The ones who were with her at the mall and in the photo on her lock screen. It’s eight thirty. The girls would have just gotten to class.”

“So we know where to find them. Let’s go.” Amanda closed her email and headed out with Trent. She could only hope those girls saw even one tiny thing that would push the investigation forward.

TWENTY-THREE

Brooke Archer attended Woodbridge High School, and Amanda and Trent assumed that’s where her best friends went too. Their instinct was rewarded when the principal told them he’d have both Sadie Robinson and Charlotte Brady summoned from their first-period class.

“You can speak with them in here.” Paula, the school’s receptionist, led them to an office and told them to go inside. “Melinda Horne, the guidance counselor here, will be joining you shortly. This is her office. Since Sadie and Charlotte are minors, school policy requires a staff member be present in cases like this.”

That being when police show up wanting to talk with students, which hopefully doesn’t happen often… “Yes, of course. Thank you.” Amanda entered first, with Trent following.

There was a desk tucked away in a corner, but the rest of the room had the relaxed feeling of a living room. Couch, chair, and end tables. It resembled the soft interview room back at the station where they spoke to victims or their family members.

Amanda and Trent sat on opposite ends of the couch.

“I’ll notify Ms. Horne that you’re here,” Paula said, turning to leave. Just as she cleared the doorway, she spoke to someone. Amanda couldn’t make out what was being said.

Soon after, a pretty woman joined her and Trent. Late forties, there was also something elegant about her demeanor. Her intense hazel eyes studied Amanda and Trent. “I’m Melinda Horne, school counselor, and you are?”

“Detectives Amanda Steele and Trent Stenson.”

Melinda dropped into an armchair. “I understand you wish to speak with Sadie Robinson and Charlotte Brady. Could you tell me what this is about before they get here?”

Amanda hesitated to respond, and glanced at the door. She didn’t want to be in the middle of explaining when the girls showed up.

“I’ve asked that Paula have the girls wait near her desk until I come get them.” Melinda crossed her legs and entwined her long, slender fingers.

Some mind reader… “We understand the girls are close friends with Brooke Archer.” Amanda stopped speaking to gauge the counselor’s reaction. Considering the blank look to her face, she wasn’t aware of Brooke’s absence, but Amanda tested her observation. “You may know Brooke hasn’t shown up yet this school year.”

Melinda shook her head, and her eyes widened slightly. “Has something happened to her?”

Trent pulled out his tablet and said, “Brooke and her mother were abducted on Saturday afternoon from Potomac Mills mall.”

The news moved over Melinda’s face like a stormfront does over the sky. Every feature darkened, but she remained silent.

“We can appreciate this is startling news, but we’re afraid it gets worse.” Amanda paused when Melinda’s face pinched. “Brooke’s father was also abducted, but his body was found yesterday morning.”

“Oh, dear God.” For the words, Melinda dispensed with them in a calm and collected manner. “May I ask, what do you hope to achieve by speaking with Sadie and Charlotte?”

“They were with Brooke in the moments before she was taken. We’d like to ask them about Brooke’s state of mind, or what she might have said to them. Something they might have noticed. Anything that might help us find her and her mother,” Amanda laid out.