Page 114 of The Vanished

“Sometimes two wrongs do make a right,” Colin said. “Maybe we both needed to experience the loss to realize how much we love each other. Now go on. Max is waiting for you.”

Max came running downstairs as soon as Quinn called out to him, and launched himself into Logan’s arms from the third step.

“Oh, Daddy,” he cried. “I missed you so much. Where have you been?”

Logan was holding Max so tight, Quinn thought the child might have difficulty breathing, but Max clung on.

“Did Aunt Quinn and Uncle Gabe not take good care of you?” Logan asked, expertly changing the subject.

Max nodded. “Yeah, they did. But I wanted to be with you. I missed you. Can we go home? And I miss my room and my toys.”

“I missed you too, little buddy,” Logan said tearfully. “And yes, we can go home.”

“Uncle Jude is there,” Max announced. “I think he’s cross with you, but he’ll be happy to see you. I just know it. Can I stay up late?”

Logan nodded. “As late as you like.”

“Really? Till midnight?”

“I doubt you’ll last that long, but sure. Maybe we can make some popcorn and watch a film.”

“Yes!” Max cried. “But I get to pick.”

“You get to pick,” Logan agreed.

“But where were you?” Max tried again. “Aunt Quinn was worried. I saw her crying.”

“It was just a terrible misunderstanding. I had to go away for work, but Quinn never got my message.”

“But why didn’t you ring us? Did you lose your phone?”

“Yes, I did.”

Max nodded wisely. “It’s an awful thing to lose your phone. Can I get one?”

“Not just yet.”

“But what if I need to call you? In case of emergency?” Max tripped over the word, but his meaning was loud and clear. He wanted to have some control over his situation in the future.

“We’ll discuss it later, OK?”

“No, now,” Max said. “I want a phone.”

And so it went until Logan finally capitulated and promised that he would get Max a phone suitable for a child. Pleased to have won the argument, Max finally went upstairs to get dressed and collect his things.

Quinn couldn’t help but weep when father and son were finally reunited, and had to watch them from the kitchen so as not to upset Max. He glowed with happiness, his relief and joy at seeing his dad so poignant, it nearly broke her heart. She desperately wished he could have been spared the pain of their separation and the uncertainty that had followed, but, given how badly things could have ended, she supposed a few days apart wasn’t the worst thing that could have happened. And at five years old, he was satisfied with Logan’s explanation and focused on his own needs.

Gabe volunteered to drive Logan and Max home, where Jude was waiting for them. He wouldn’t accept the made-up explanation and would want all the details, but he would support Logan no matter what. Even though he’d probably have a lot to say about Logan charging a man holding a loaded gun. Logan hadn’t said what had happened to the gun, but it was probably at the bottom of the Thames as well, where no one would ever find it. Tomorrow, Jude would fly home and life would get back to normal, but perhaps they could celebrate Christmas in Germany this year. It was something to look forward to in the coming months.

Quinn went upstairs as soon as the children retreated to their bedrooms. She had managed to solve one mystery, but she still had to find out what had happened to the Lady of the Well. Tomorrow, she would begin to research the family to see if she could find any leads about how they had fared throughout the twentieth century, but tonight she wanted only to escape into the past and witness the events for herself. She shut the bedroom door and settled in her usual spot.

Then she reached for the earring.

SEVENTY-EIGHT

DECEMBER 1923

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