Page 103 of Weight of Guilt

“My boy’s gone.” Cody stopped and put both hands on top of his head. “Mason Loveless. He’s seven. He was at the elementary school, and there was a fire alarm, and now he’s not there.”

Nash froze. Mason? Mason was missing?

Nash tried to keep his thoughts under control and not rush into any worst-case scenarios. But Wren had to be so worried right now.

Luke narrowed his eyes. “What else do you know?”

“Not much. Not yet. I . . . I just know that Wren is worried. I’ve been worried also. I don’t know what’s going on with her family, but I told her I wanted to keep Mason away from it.” Cody let out a long, frustrated breath before pulling himself together. “I’ve got to go. I told Wren I’d meet her at the school.”

“You going to take the ambulance?” Nash nodded toward the vehicle he’d driven here.

He paused, then his shoulders slumped. “No, I’m not. I’m not thinking clearly right now.”

“I’ll drive you,” Nash offered.

Cody’s eyes lit. “That would be great. Thanks.”

“I’m on my way also,” Luke said.

Then they took off.

Chapter

Fifty-Three

Wren got through the front door and into the school office before a secretary put a hand up. “Ma’am, we’re not doing dismissal through the office today⁠—”

“My son isn’t outside.” Wren gripped the edge of the counter. “Mason Loveless. Second grade. Mrs. Kessler’s class.”

Mrs. Kessler rushed inside behind her with the clipboard still against her chest. “He’s not in my line. I don’t know where he went. I just had him! I promise he was just there!”

Something changed on the secretary’s face. She must have realized this wasn’t a mistake. She grabbed the phone and turned away from them.

As she waited, Wren crossed her arms, willing herself to calm down. At least the fire alarm had stopped wailing. Maybe she could think a little clearer without that sound messing with her thoughts.

But every time she closed her eyes, she saw her sweet son’s face.

Where are you, Mason?

A moment later, Principal Rowe stepped out of the back hallway. Wren had met him twice. The fifty-something had his sleeves pushed up, a radio in one hand, and a concerned expression on his face.

“Mrs. Loveless. We’re going to find your son.” He turned to Mrs. Kessler. “Where’d you see Mason last?”

“On the sidewalk. I counted all my students twice.” Mrs. Kessler’s voice climbed with panic. “Then the buses started loading, and parents were coming across the grass, and . . .”

“How long has it been since you last saw him?”

“Four minutes, maybe five.” Her expression remained pinched and her voice tight.

“All right.” Principal Rowe pressed the button on his radio. “I need every available adult sweeping the area for Mason Loveless. Cafeteria, gym, stairwells, bathrooms. Doors stay shut until I say. No one leaves the parking lot.”

Wren took a deep breath, trying to remain calm. Panicking wouldn’t help anything right now.

But Mason . . . a cry lodged in her throat. If something happened to her sweet son . . . she didn’t know how she’d go on.

Principal Rowe turned back to her. “Does Mason have a habit of disappearing? Wandering to find a friend or going back for something he left behind maybe?”

“No.” She shook her head. “He doesn’t.”