Page 78 of Fatal Betrayal

"No. But she can't believe he would hurt Elisa, and I can't, either. I've known that kid since he was ten years old," Neil said. "He's a little wild, but he's not a bad person. He wouldn't kidnap a child."

"He has a drug problem, Neil. Sometimes that changes people."

"You think he's the one who did this?"

"I don't know, but Solange doesn't know where he is, and that's concerning. What about Kristine? Has she come back to the house?"

"No, and that's worrying me, too," Neil replied. "I've called her a couple of times and left messages. The last time I tried, her phone didn't even ring."

His gut tightened. That meant Kristine's phone was off. "Did you tell the FBI that?"

"Yes. They said they're looking for her. They're very focused on Kristine and Daniel. I have trusted Kristine with my child for months now. Why would she suddenly do something? And Daniel—I used to throw baseballs to him when his dad was sick, and he needed to practice. These are people I've let into my life, Cooper."

He could hear the growing sense of betrayal in Neil's voice, and he knew exactly what that felt like. "How's Claire doing?"

"She talked to her doctor, and he convinced her to take a sedative. She's sleeping for the first time since this all happened."

"You should try to get some sleep, too."

"Every time I close my eyes, I see Elisa's face, and my brain takes me to a dark place. Like maybe I'm never going to see her again."

He wanted to tell Neil to stay positive, but it felt pointless. He knew firsthand not every missing kid came home. "There are a lot of people working hard to get Elisa back," he said instead. "I can promise you that."

"So, where are you?"

"I'm with Agent Hart. Has anyone else contacted you, Neil? I'm not talking about ransom specifically, but maybe someone you haven't heard from in a while, someone who suddenly seems unusually interested in what's going on?" There was a silence at the other end of the line. "Neil?"

"Michelle, Larry's ex-wife, stopped by. I haven’t seen her since they divorced. She said she'd come to check on Claire. I told her Claire was asleep, and she started asking me a bunch of questions about what happened, what we know. I couldn't tell her anything because I don’t know anything. Then she said something odd. She asked me if I thought Larry was having an affair. That she'd seen him with a young blonde woman who looked like my nanny."

He sucked in a quick breath. "Larry and Kristine? Is that possible?"

"I can't imagine that it is. He couldn't have spoken to her more than a couple of times, although…"

"What?"

"Larry is in a run club, too. I don't think it's the same one as Kristine. But I don't know for sure. Neither Larry nor Kristine has ever mentioned that they've seen each other somewhere else. Larry is twenty-five years older than Kristine. And even if he was seeing her, he wouldn't steal my kid. I've been standing up for him."

"It doesn't make sense," he agreed. "And we don't even know if it was Kristine or why Michelle felt the need to talk to you about it when clearly you have other issues on your mind."

"Exactly." Neil let out a sigh. "Elisa isn't coming home tonight, is she?"

"I don't think so, but I hope it's soon."

"I'm trying to cling to the idea that because they took her clothes and toys, they're taking care of her."

"That's a good thought to cling to. Get some rest. I'll check in with you in the morning."

He slipped his phone into his pocket and moved down the hall to the office. Andi was pressing her hands to her temples as she stared at the computer screen.

"Any luck?" he asked.

She started at the sound of his voice. "Nothing. I've been looking at traffic camera footage around the gym, the bar, and Neil's house. Aside from that one clip by the bar where Enrique's license plate was captured, there's nothing."

"Does your head hurt?" he asked.

She dropped her hands with a self-conscious frown. "No, I'm fine."

He didn't think she was close to fine, but she'd never admit that. Andi didn't like to be perceived as weak. Her mental strength had always been her armor. "I spoke to Neil. Solange asked him if she should get a lawyer. I guess your team has been talking to her."

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