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Shouldn’t you be working?
She sends me a string of laughing emojis.
As I think about some of the options she sent, I find myself walking with a spring to my step. But when I open the door, I get a massive whiff of bleach. It’s strong enough to burn my nose.
“Sorry!” Emily waves at me from behind the counter as she tucks some braided hair behind her ear. “Our new hire accidentally spilled bleach a few minutes ago.”
I clear my throat and blink away the tears. “It isn’t that bad.”
She glances at her computer screen. “Did you forget something, Angelina?”
ChapterThirteen
My mind spins out of control as I look around Jennifer’s office, my phone in hand. The room is filled with bright colors and cheerful posters, most likely there to calm upset children. They have the opposite effect on me.
I want to rip everything off the walls and demand the manager bring me my children. Instead, I take deep breaths and pretend to be calm. Inside I’m screaming.
It’s a surreal experience.
Jennifer is talking. I can see her mouth moving, but can’t hear a word she’s saying.
More deep breathing. Must calm down. My babies need me, and if I’m freaking out, I can’t help them.
“C-can you repeat that?” I lean closer to the desk that separates me from the manager.
“You checked out Owen and Sophie twenty-five minutes ago. Emily and our janitor both saw you.”
This cannot be happening. Twenty-five minutes ago I had just left my lunch with Megan and was getting in my car.
Someone was kidnapping my children at that very moment. And the people I pay to protect them let it happen.
“Didyousee me?” I counter.
“No, I was out to lunch then.”
That’s convenient.
I square my shoulders. “So, I’m supposed to take the word of two people who are guilty of allowing an unauthorized person leave with my children?”
“You’re the one who picked them up.” Jennifer looks at me with pity in her eyes.
Pity. Like something’s wrong withme.
I leap up from the chair. “Show me the footage! You people have cameras all over this place to keep things like this from happening. I want to see proof of this ridiculous story.”
She blinks a few times. “Okay. I’ll need a few minutes to pull that up.”
“You’ll need it to show the police when I have to report a kidnapping, so you may as well find it now.”
“Can you please have a seat? You’re making me nervous.”
“Makingyounervous? My children have been abducted!”
Jennifer gestures for me to sit, then she turns to her computer and types on the keyboard.
I do as instructed and squeeze the armrest so hard I’m sure I’ll break it. My breath hitches, and I fight back tears. Now isn’t the time to break down. I need to think clearly.
Once the video shows someone other than me checking out my kids, I’m going to call the police. We need to get as many people as possible looking for Owen and Sophie.
