Page 44 of Fatal Betrayal

"We're working hard to find Elisa."

He gave her a hard look. "You better not be trying to cover your ass in some way."

"Keeping you away from the press is about Elisa and nothing else," she returned.

"Where's Cooper? Why isn't he with you? I want him involved. I thought I made that clear."

"I haven't spoken to him yet today, but I will," she promised, wondering why Cooper hadn't reached out, but she was happy not to have to deal with him just yet. "Right now, I'd like to speak to Claire."

"Why?"

"Because I need to talk to her," she said. "Where is she?"

"She's upstairs in Elisa's room. She can't seem to leave it." Neil paused. "She didn't sleep at all last night. She's having a very difficult time."

"You both are," she said with compassion in her gaze.

"I just want to bring my child home."

"That's what we're going to do," she said. Then she left the living room and moved up the stairs.

Claire was in Elisa's room as Neil had predicted. She was sitting in a rocking chair, holding a stuffed rabbit to her chest, her face pale, her eyes and nose red from crying. She looked exhausted, like a shell of a woman.

"Claire," she said gently.

Claire started, her gaze swinging to Andi's. "Did you find her?"

"Not yet. I need to ask you a few questions. They're personal, and I wish I didn't have to ask, but I do."

"What?" Claire asked, confusion in her gaze.

"Have you been treated for postpartum depression?"

Claire's eyes widened. "Yes. Why?"

"How long were you in treatment?"

"A couple of months. But it went away. I got better." Realization entered her gaze. "You don't think I had something to do with this, do you?" She put a hand to her mouth. "My God! You think I hurt my daughter, and I'm trying to cover it up by pretending she's been kidnapped." Claire jumped to her feet, almost knocking Andi over. "How could you believe such a terrible thing? I love my daughter. I just had trouble feeling like myself." She shook her head in confusion. "I got better," she repeated.

"I believe you," she said. "And I don't think you hurt Elisa. I just need to know everything about everyone in Elisa's life and that includes you. Who treated you?"

"Dr. Mulders—Stefan Mulders. He'll tell you I snapped out of it a couple of months ago. It didn't last that long. And I'm a good mother. I swear I am."

She didn't want to believe that Claire had anything to do with Elisa's disappearance, but years of experience had taught her to investigate every clue, not just the ones that led her in a direction she wanted to go. "I'm glad you're feeling better. It must have been difficult to go through that."

"It was unexpected. I always wanted to be a mother. I thought it would be the happiest time of my life. I felt confused and numb, but I worked through it. Dr. Mulders said it's not uncommon. Lots of women suffer from postpartum depression."

"That's true."

"Neil had to help more during the early days, and then we got Kristine, who was wonderful with Elisa and with me. I don't think Elisa suffered because of my depression. I never wanted to hurt her. I just felt off, like I had no energy. I couldn't find any joy. And then, after talking to Dr. Mulders, the joy came back. I love being a mother now. I feel so empty with her gone. It's like there's a hole in my heart." She paused. "Do you have children?"

"No."

"Then you probably can't imagine how this feels."

"I can't," she agreed. "Can you tell me any more about Kristine? I haven't found much information on her. Does she have friends? A boyfriend? A relative in town? Has she talked about anyone in her social circle with you?"

Claire gave her a troubled look. "Kristine wouldn't hurt Elisa."

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