Page 64 of Fatal Betrayal

"I stopped all that when I moved. I left them behind and never really thought about them since then."

"Do you want to get them now? We won't be any closer."

His words almost made her look at her old house, but she stopped herself from turning. "No. He said he's going out of town until Sunday. I'll deal with this next week." She picked up her phone and sent a brief text that she wanted her things, but she was working an investigation so she'd set up a time next week when he was back, and her case would hopefully be over. She hit send and then started the car. "It's time to refocus on the case. Break is over."

CHAPTERFIFTEEN

They arrivedat Solange's house, a one-story home in a modest neighborhood in south LA a little before three. The yard was neatly kept, and there was a large vase of flowers by the front door.

When Solange opened the door, she gave them a wary look. She wore faded jeans and a sweatshirt, and her brown eyes were stressed, her face pale. "Have you found Elisa?" she asked.

"Not yet. May we come in?"

"I don't know what else I can tell you." Solange waved them into the living room. It was a comfortable room with two large, pillowy couches and a big TV taking up most of the room. There were toys in one corner that Andi's eyes immediately strayed to.

"My granddaughter comes over sometimes," Solange said quickly. "She's two. My oldest daughter's child." Her gaze moved to Cooper. "Why are you here, Dr. Bradford?"

"Agent Hart has a few more questions for you, and I wanted to tag along," he said.

"I wish I could help, but I wasn't at the house yesterday morning. I didn't see anything."

"Where's Daniel?" Andi asked. "I know my office spoke to you earlier, and you said you haven't seen him since last night. Is that true?"

"Yes. He went out with friends. He does that sometimes. He's twenty years old. He's an adult. Why are you looking for Daniel? He was at the gym yesterday. He didn't take Elisa. He wouldn't do that. He loves her."

"Then there's no reason for him not to talk to us," she said. "But he hasn't returned our calls. Why don't you call him now? Ask him to come home. Tell him you need to see him, that you're upset, whatever will get him to come back here."

Solange stared at her, clearly weighing the possibility of her son being in trouble with her need to find Elisa. "Daniel is a good boy. He just drinks a little too much. Ever since his father died, he's been struggling, but he wouldn't hurt a soul."

"You need to call him, Solange," Cooper said, drawing the older woman's gaze to his. "Neil would really appreciate your help. And Claire is desperate to get her daughter back. The sooner Agent Hart talks to Daniel, the sooner we can move on to someone else."

Andi saw Solange waver. It bothered her that Cooper's words were more compelling than hers, but he had a history with the woman, and whatever got her cooperation was all that mattered.

Solange walked over to the table and picked up her phone.

"Don't tell him we're here," Andi said. "And put the phone on speaker."

Solange drew in a breath, then called her son. They heard a phone ring somewhere else in the house.

Andi's stomach turned over. "His phone is here."

Solange headed down the hall, and she and Cooper followed. The ringing phone sat next to an unmade bed. The room was a mess, clothes everywhere along with some dirty dishes and empty beer bottles.

"He must have forgotten to take his phone," Solange said. "I'm sure he'll be back soon."

She wasn't sure at all, and she didn't think Daniel had forgotten his phone. "When's the last time you saw him?"

"It was around six last night. He was going to meet friends. I don't know who. He doesn't tell me. But he's not a kidnapper. He wouldn't hurt a child, especially not Elisa. He knows her. He has played with her."

Solange's words only made her more suspicious of Daniel. Elisa hadn't cried when someone had picked her up out of her crib, at least, not according to Kristine. That could mean Elisa felt comfortable with the person picking her up.

"Does Daniel have another phone?" she asked Solange.

"I've never seen one."

She walked over and picked up Daniel's phone. It was password protected. "Do you know his code?"

Solange shook her head. "I don't invade his privacy." She hesitated. "I can't let you take it, unless you tell me you have the legal right to do so?"

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