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“This shouldn’t be a big problem,” Regina said after she’d reviewed everything. “I don’t see any reason for the judge to go against the parents’ wishes, but you do need to be clear that you’re taking custody and that Hadley is on board.”
“I’ll call her today,” I said, though the thought made me cringe a little. We hadn’t spoken since she’d been back in New York beyond a text telling me she’d arrived okay and then a subsequent one with a funny and insulting meme directed at Liz. That had been the last time, though, and then I’d traveled to Miami so I hadn’t had anything to text her about anyway.
“I think it’s important that Hadley come to the next hearing, so the judge understands that this is all on the up-and-up and not you pulling a fast one to get custody back.”
“That’s Monday, right?” I asked, opening the calendar program on my phone since she was on speaker.
“Yes. I’ll fly in from Chicago that morning and we can meet at Mr. Sutton’s office since we’re working together on this.”
“Technically, you’re in charge.”
“He understands that,” she said. “Don’t worry, just leave it all to me.”
“No offense, Ms. Rittenhouse, but I left it all to Tim Sutton and this is where it got me.”
“Yes, but Mr. Sutton is not me, and believe me, when you get my bill, you’ll understand why it’s so high.”
I chuckled. “I’m kind of looking forward to it.”
“Excellent. See you Monday. If there’s any issue with Hadley being there, let me know immediately, because that changes my strategy.”
“I’ll call her now.” I disconnected and had just switched to the screen with my “favorites,” where the people I called most often were listed, when my phone alerted me I had another call coming in.
Susan Whitmer.
Fuck me.
I took a deep breath before answering, hoping my voice didn’t reflect my irritation. “Hello, Susan.”
“Wes!” She sounded frantic. “Where’s Annalise? Do you have her?!”
“What are you talking about?” I demanded. “Of course, I don’t have her. I’m on vacation in Miami.”
“Do you swear?” She sounded like she was about to cry. “If you have her, just say so because I’m on the verge of a heart attack.”
“Susan, I’m in Miami with my parents. Annalise is supposed to be in St. Louis with you. What the fuck is going on?!”
“She’s gone, Wes! We thought she was playing hide and seek or something, and now it’s been hours and we’ve looked everywhere and all I could hope was that you took her…”
“No, I didn’t fucking take her.” My own heart rate had just kicked up to full speed. “Tell me exactly what happened.”
“She’s been…difficult.” Susan took a breath. “Asking for you and Hadley constantly, all day, every day. She doesn’t do anything I say, won’t eat what I prepare, and it’s been a challenge. This morning she threw her bowl of oatmeal across the room so I…put her in the corner.” She took a shaky breath. “I told her it would be fifteen minutes. That’s what it said online for her age. I looked it up after you and Hadley—”
“Susan!” I took a breath. “Focus.”
“I, I’m sorry. So Patrick went to the store for me and I went upstairs to get Benny and when I came down she was gone. I thought she was just being naughty, so I didn’t chase her right away. I figured she was in her room playing and maybe it would give us both time to calm down. It was probably half an hour before I went looking for her. Patrick and I were going to sit her down, talk to her, and then we couldn’t find her.”
“How long has she been gone?” I demanded.
“Four hours.”
“Have you called the police?!”
“N-no…I truly thought she’d called you and you had come and picked her up, just to frighten us or make us angry or something. You really don’t have her?”
“You want to talk to my mother?” I yelled. “Jesus fucking Christ, no, I don’t have her!” I was so loud my mother came running into the room, looking at me worriedly.
Susan burst into tears.
The next few minutes were chaotic as I disconnected with her and immediately called Nash to get the local guys on the job of scouring the neighborhood for her, as well as Britney since it was likely Annalise would go to her if she was lost or scared.
I called Hadley on the way to the airport.
“Wes.” She sounded surprised and exhausted.
“Annalise is missing,” I said abruptly.
“What?”
I told her what had happened.
“Are you kidding me? They fucking lost her?” Hadley sounded about as furious as I was.
“I’m on my way to the airport. I got a last-minute seat on a flight, but it’ll still be hours before I get home.”
“I’ll meet you there.”
“I’ll be at the airport in a couple of minutes,” I said, “so it might be easier for me to book it for you in person with a ticket agent since they’ll see openings right away.”
