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Ashton and Kane begin to open their mouth, but I get up before they can say something. I start to walk towards the door when Sloane grabs my arm. She meets my eyes. And something has changed in them. Where are all the mockery, disdain, and arrogance that was in them before?
“I sincerely apologize for being callous about your daughter’s disappearance. And I want to stress that I understand how important it is to find her soon.”
I search her eyes for deceit, but all I see is honesty. If she is so concerned about my daughter, why has she been attacking me earlier? Like I am the person responsible for Myah’s disappearance?
Sloane has my full attention now, so she lets go of my arm. Then she continues, “and since it is in both yours and the company’s best interest to find your daughter, I promise that we will do the best we can to help make it happen.”
So, this is really just about the business for her. But I must admit, I admire her dedication and quick thinking. This woman may not look like a good subordinate, but she can be intelligent and admirable.
I return to my chair with a sigh and wait for how exactly she thinks they can help. I know that we have more resources than they can ever have to look for Myah. Yet, Ms. Keeley seems determined and sure that they have something new to offer.
Kane and Ashton murmur sounds of agreement. And Ashton adds, “we have contacts with the most skilled detectives in New York, and we know people from NYPD who can help prioritize this case.”
I want to say that I have access to those things too, but I decide to be amicable. After all, more people searching yields a higher probability of finding Myah soon.
Sloane returns to the chair in front of me then crosses her legs. I have a short peek of her smooth skin. Is she showing them on purpose?
“Thank you for considering our proposition. We will not disappoint. But before we can go any further in our investigation, can you tell us more about what happened before your daughter got lost?”
I sigh. “Myah is a willful young woman. Her mother has agreed to send her to me because she thinks I can control our daughter better. Although if we were really honest with the matter, my ex-wife just wants more freedom for herself.”
I promised myself after our divorce that I would not say anything bad about my lying, cheating ex-wife. But her lack of concern on the phone yesterday irks me so much that I cannot keep my mouth shut about it. For all her intelligence and wealth, Laura Brown is really nothing but an entitled bitch. I don’t even remember what I saw in her in the past.
“She was supposed to fly with me back to Washington D.C. But Myah wanted to stay for a friend’s birthday party. So, I let her choose to fly on her own. But, of course, I had someone watch her go to the airport and board the plane. I can’t just let my twelve-year-old daughter go unsupervised. But I didn’t have anyone accompany her on the plane because I knew she would immediately suspect that. And I don’t want any more rifts between us. And that was the mistake.”
I take a deep breath before I continue recounting the reports from yesterday. “My men left the airport as soon as the plane lifted off. And my people in Washington were on standby. But her plane was delayed, and when it did arrive, she was nowhere in sight. My assistant immediately got in touch with the airport personnel and found out that the plane didn’t reach Washington on time because it had to get back to New York. But because we weren’t aware of this matter when it happened, I couldn’t have someone check on her again. We have reason to believe that when the plane returned, Myah snuck off her flight.”
Recounting the events doesn’t make it any easier to accept what happened. But I understand that they have to know these details if they really want to help. I look at Sloane again to see what she has to say. She’s pale and suddenly stands up.
“Please excuse me. I have to make a phone call.” Just like that, she leaves the room.
Chapter Eight - Sloane
The breath whooshes out of my chest, and my heart starts pounding when Owen begins to talk about the airport and his daughter. I don’t even need to ask him what time it happened because I was there. In fact, I’m the cause of the whole returning to New York debacle, and now after hearing his story, I may as well be the reason for his daughter’s disappearance.
Damn, Sloane, I whisper to myself. How can I have let myself get into this mess?
