Page 66 of Missing

“Jones said she’s one of the best profilers he’s ever worked with, and she has a great track record for being right.”

I nodded, praying this wouldn’t be one of the times she was wrong.

Meg continued, “If she says Smith is probably caring for Chase, not hurting him, then we have to trust her.”

“I can’t stop thinking about how scared he must be.” I felt the sting of fresh tears in my eyes. When I looked at Meg, I saw tears in her eyes too. She loved Chase. So much so she’d asked him to give her away when she married Jack. I smiled at the memory of how proud Chase had been when she asked him, and how grown up he’d looked when he walked her down the aisle and then told Jack, “You better take good care of my Auntie Meg.”

That was what, five, six weeks ago? It didn’t matter. Today he was missing, and his Auntie Meg and everyone he loved and admired was doing everything in their power to bring him home.

“He’s a tough kid, he’ll get through this.”

I couldn’t help but notice she didn’t say he’d be okay.

Because she can’t know that, none of us can.

“If they find him, I don’t think I’ll ever let him out of my sight again.”

“When. Everything Maxwell said gives me reason to believe he’s alive and well. Let’s not give up hope yet.”

I didn’t resist when she hugged me.

Meg had grown so much in the past year. It was probably condescending for me to be proud of her, but I was. She’d been through so many horrible things in her twenty-five years, someof it just last year. It was amazing to see her thriving. Thinking of how much she’d healed in the last year with help from Jack and a loving family, gave me hope for Chase.

If, when, I corrected myself, when they bring him home, he’ll be surrounded by people who love him, and we’ll help him heal. No matter how long it takes.

Chapter 34

Doug

Jones knocked on the front door, Maxwell beside him. Jack and I were covering the back. Jones knocked again, louder this time, and announced himself.

Still no answer. We weren’t ready to kick in the doors, but that didn’t mean we couldn’t search for a key or an unlocked window.

“Or try the door,” Jack said as he reached for the handle.

Unlocked.That was unexpected.

As expected; Smith wasn’t there.

Maxwell looked around, determining Smith’s state of mind from the mess she’d left behind. It wasn’t promising.

Back at the office, Jones updated everyone on what we’d found. He then asked Maxwell to share her new evaluation.

As Maxwell filled us in, I could see sympathy mingled with fear in Beth’s eyes. She’d lost a husband and understood Smith’s grief, and now she deeply understood the pain of losing a child. Even if he was found safe and sound, Beth would never forget the fear she was experiencing today.

Her sympathy for the woman who took her son showed just how strong she was.I don’t think she realizes it. I made a mental note to tell her just how strong I thought she was, once this was all over.

Maxwell stood by her earlier statement, she didn’t believe Smith would harm Chase. However, given the state of her home, we should expand the search. “There’s some indication she planned for this and is likely in hiding.”

“I’ll search further back in her bank records to see if there’s any indication she was stockpiling cash, and I’ll freeze her credit cards.” Jones turned to me and said, “Sharpe can you check her phone, see if she’s turned it on?

“Yes, sir.” I opened my laptop, started the program, and turned the screen so Beth couldn’t see it.

“I’ll check for a passport for Smith and her son,” Maxwell paused when Beth gasped.Sheshouldn’t be here for this. I held Beth’s hand and nodded. Maxwell continued, “Sheppard, have your team send BOLOs to airports, and transportation terminals in Texas and the surrounding states.”

Beth’s nails dug into my skin as she squeezed my hand in a death grip. I squeezed back to let her know I was there for her.

Maxwell wasn’t without empathy, but she had a job to do, and she delivered information the same way she issued orders—with authority and without emotion. John was the same way when we were on a mission. Understanding the necessity for lawenforcement to detach themselves didn’t make it any easier for Beth to bear.

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