Page 175 of Saving the Halfback

I fell forward into Nolan’s chest. “Find her,” I mumbled into the phone. Though I wasn’t sure if it was a request, a hope, or wishful thinking.

65

Bailey

Nolan and I helped load all the food Mom had made into Nolan’s car, and then he stepped back, standing next to me and crossing his arms. Mom took one look and nodded. Nolan liked my parents—he did anything they asked of him, always trying to help out—but right now, he was taking a stand. Someone had to go and deliver food to the volunteer relief station, and he was refusing to leave me.

“We could all go,” I offered.

Mom shook her head. “It’s safer for you here, Boo.” She placed her warm palm on my cheek, and I leaned into it. “I’ll be gone forty minutes, tops. The gun is loaded by the front door with the trigger lock on it, all right?” I nodded. “And if anyone pulls into this driveway, you are to call the cops, right? Call for police before you call any of the boys this time.”

I chuckled. “Yes, I will.”

She nodded to me before dropping her hand and looking at Nolan. “Take care of her.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

After Mom left Nolan, and I went back inside. The news station was still playing on the television; no one had turned itoff at all today. We sat down and talked for a bit, but I was distracted. Where were the others? Had they made it to the grain bins yet or the barn? I was sure Grace would be there.

The news anchor came on, standing in the middle of a field while volunteers walked behind her in a line only an arm’s span away from one another.“At this time, there are no further updates on missing thirteen-year-old Grace Lynn O’Riley. As you can see, the search continues into the late afternoon. Police state a found letterman jacket she was wearing this morning has been taken into evidence. Bloodhounds are being used in an attempt to pick up a scent.

“Again, police are asking if Kenneth Walters is spotted that you do not approach. This man is potentially armed and dangerous. Please call the number listed below, volunteers are working through all calls that come in.

“Police are also asking that you do not contact the family at this time. Everyone’s sole focus is on the little girl and her well-being. The O’Riley family did make a statement earlier this afternoon, and we will play that clip in just a bit.

“Lastly, any abled volunteer is asked to sign in at the volunteer relief tent, located at Cloverton Anglican Church on Duncan Street. Any help is appreciated. Now we will play the clip.”

The statement from the O’Riley family had been filmed outside their sporting goods store. Mr. O’Riley was talking, wiping the tears from his eyes as he did so. His usually friendly face completely grief stricken. I didn’t hear what Mr. O’Riley was saying. I was too focused on Lachlan.

Mrs. O’Riley clung to Lachlan, weeping uncontrollably. Lachlan held her to him, his eyes completely void, his teeth clenched, and his body stiff. I watched as his lips moved slowly, small motions, but he wasn’t counting. “What’s he saying?” I asked Nolan.

Nolan shook his head. “I don’t know. I can’t hear. But that word right there iskill, and he’s said it at least four times.”

“Fucking, goddammit!” I screamed with frustration, getting to my feet while I paced. “Do you see?” I raised my voice at Nolan. “Can’t you see how wrong this is? Us still here, doing nothing? How long has he had her for? Hours?”

Nolan stared at me, not responding right away. “Bailey—”

“No! No, I get it, but think this through. It took Ed years to prepare me, but it took him seconds to take from me, to wreck me. She’s been with him forhours.”

Nolan seemed to fight with something in his mind. “What do we do, though? They are searching where you believe she is. They are searching where they believe she is. What more canwedo? We will end up in the way.”

I growled, leaving the room and stomping up the stairs. Immature? Most likely. All I could think was—what is he doing? At this very moment, what was he doing to her, and why couldn’t I have stopped it?

Reaching my room, I slammed the door shut before pacing the floor. Grace had willingly gotten into that car, which means she felt safe enough to trust him for some fucked-up reason.

I stopped and looked at my mirror, staring at my reflection.

I rushed over to my closet, whipping it open and grabbing the metal Little League T-ball bat from my childhood. I stood back before the mirror.

Me. Gracie had trusted Ed because of me.

I brought the bat back and swung through, smashing it into the mirror, watching my reflection crack.

Gracie got into that car because of me.

I brought the bat back again and swung. Shards of glass fell to the ground like glitter.

Gracie didn’t think to get help because of me. Because I stayed silent. Because I chose not to tell anyone abouthim.Because I didn’t think he had done this before, and I didn’t believe he would do it again.

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