Page 48 of Girl in the Water
Carmen put her breakfast on the nightstand, cast the plate a last longing look, then headed to Hannah and Heather’s room. Their door stood open a crack. Carmen knocked and peeked in.
The sisters were both reading the local paper, drinking coffee. Heather glanced up. “She didn’t fuss.”
And since they didn’t have Lila, Carmen asked, “Do you know who took her?”
Heather frowned. “No. Not us. She didn’t make a single noise. We’ve been listening.”
Carmen went from room to room. Some stood empty, others had people getting ready for the day. No Lila. Nobody had heard her cry or seen her.
Maybe she’d fussed and someone had taken her down to the cafeteria to find Mommy and Daddy. Carmen went back down. She’d bring the baby back up so at least Phil could eat in peace.
But Phil was sitting at the end of the table with a handful of other volunteers, no baby. He looked a little perkier. He was probably on his second cup of coffee.
“What is it?” he asked as Carmen headed for him.
“I can’t find Lila. Have you seen her?”
He shook his head. “I’m sure somebody has her.”
“Not upstairs.” And not in the cafeteria. The place was half-empty now, easy to scan at a glance.
Carmen’s heart began to race.
Phil stood. “Let’s check the rest of downstairs.”
They searched, just the two of them at first, then the staff helped, then the girls. They checked every inch of the building.
Nobody had the baby.
