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“When Eliza came over Thursday, Reese told her all about the party she was going to this weekend. You know how she talks. Mom didn’t think it was a big deal, so she didn’t try to stop her.”
Who would? They’d called the police, and he assumed an Amber Alert had
been issued. But situations like this called for all the manpower possible. Curt handed Taylor his cell phone. “Go into my contacts and bring up Eric Coleman for me.” He prayed they got home and learned the police had found both Reese and Eliza, but he didn’t plan to wait and see if it happened.
“Uh, okay. Why?” She scrolled through his list of numbers. “Who’s Eric Coleman?”
“The director of Elite Force Security.”
“And what’s Elite Force Security?”
Talk about a loaded question. “Originally, it was a firm that provided private security to anyone who hired them. My family has used them many times in the past. Over time they’ve branched out into other areas. They often handle high-profile kidnapping situations. The firm only employs the best. If the police can’t find them, Elite Force will.”
Taylor passed the cell phone back to him. He pressed the green icon on the screen and waited for Eric Coleman, the firm’s director, to answer.
The call was short, and after, they both remained silent, lost in their own thoughts for the rest of the long trip.
When Curt pulled in, a police cruiser and two other vehicles were parked behind Taylor’s and Priscilla’s cars. Since Taylor received no phone calls on the drive, he knew none of them had brought Reese home.
They’ll find her. Thinking about Reese alone with Taylor’s sister scared the hell out of him, and he wasn’t even related to her. He could only imagine what it did to Taylor and Priscilla.
“Mr. McIntyre is here.” Taylor opened the door before he shifted the car into park. “He’s chief of police in town. He and Dad joined the force together. He probably came over to check on Mom.”
Explained who one car belonged to anyway. Curt followed her inside the house.
An older gentleman dressed for a day on a golf course stood behind Priscilla, his hands on her shoulders. Two FBI agents, their badges and firearms visible, sat at the kitchen table. One had a phone to his ear while the other had a laptop open. A uniformed officer completed the gathering in the kitchen.
“Good. You’re home.” Priscilla’s voice broke, the only sign of her distress. If Taylor hadn’t shared everything, he’d never know by looking at Priscilla that something was wrong. He noticed the same about Taylor. Throughout the ride, he’d expected Taylor to break down. To cry or yell. She’d remained dry-eyed and in control the whole time. It appeared as though Priscilla shared her daughter’s strength.
Priscilla quickly made introductions.
“Anything yet?” Taylor asked.
“No,” Priscilla answered. She reached up and covered Mr. McIntyre’s hand with hers. “Not yet.” The small gesture made him wonder if Mr. McIntyre was more than a family friend.
Smack. The sound of flesh coming down hard on wood filled the room. He saw Priscilla jump. Whatever leash Taylor had on her emotions was coming undone.
“What the hell is being done? Eliza has no money. No resources. And let’s face it, she’s not smart. How far could she have gone?” With each word Taylor’s voice grew louder, more evidence the stress was wearing down her control.
Curt rested his hands on her shoulders, her skin ice-cold beneath his palms. Wanting to offer some comfort, even if it meant simply keeping her warm, he took off his suit jacket and draped it over her shoulders.
“Miss Walker, believe me, we’re following every lead we get,” one of the FBI agents answered. He proceeded to explain each step they’d taken so far and answered every question Taylor threw at him. “We’ve also been contacted by Elite Force Security. My supervisor informed me they’re assisting with the investigation.”
“Eliza won’t harm Reese,” Priscilla said. Her unspoken words hung over the table. Eliza wouldn’t intentionally harm Reese, but that didn’t mean she wouldn’t do something that would put her in danger. Considering the woman had a history of drug abuse, anything could happen before the authorities located them and brought Reese home.
***
Taylor reached the bookcase, turned, and walked back. How was it possible less than six hours had passed since Mom called her? “This is—”
“It’s not your fault.” Curt didn’t let her finish. “Priscilla blamed herself when you were upstairs. And it’s not her fault either. Neither of you could’ve known Eliza would do this.”
He’d only left her side once since they returned home, to change his clothes. She appreciated his presence more than she could ever tell him.
“I don’t get it. What is my stupid sister thinking?” None of it made sense. Since giving up custody, Eliza acted like she’d never given birth to a child. So why all of sudden did she disappear with Reese? What had changed? What did she want?
Taylor gave up on pacing. Maybe sitting in one place would help her figure out her sister’s motivation.
“She did come around a few times. Is it possible she wants to be involved in Reese’s life again?” Curt asked. “Could this be Eliza’s way of doing that, because she thought you wouldn’t let her spend time with Reese?”
