Page 15 of Forged in Steele

“Luna’s our first.” She rubbed the baby blanket against her face. “Do you have kids?”

“No, I’m not married.”

Mrs. Pratt swung her gaze to Jared. “And you?”

“No, but my close friend just had a baby. He was born last night, and I see how fiercely Tim and his wife already protect the little guy.”

“I didn’t know what it meant to love so deeply until Luna was born.” Mrs. Pratt dabbed at her eyes. She took a few struggling breaths, and her body relaxed.

Franz turned to them. “First, I want to say how sorry I am that this happened. I’m a father myself, and I can’t imagine the pain you’re going through.”

“Just find her,” Mrs. Pratt said.

His kindness impressed Bristol, but she also understood the mother’s need to move forward and quickly.

“I know you’ve told this story a few times now,” Franz said. “But please tell me what happened.”

She blew out an exasperated breath. “My husband went for coffee, and I took a nap. I woke up and Luna was gone. I started screaming for help. Nurse Johnson came in and called security.”

“Did you see anyone in your room?” Franz moved closer.

She shook her head almost violently. “I didn’t sleep at all last night and really zonked out.”

“Do you have any idea of who might want to take Luna?” Bristol asked.

Mrs. Pratt shook her head. “Only our family knows about her. Oh and I posted a picture on Facebook so my friends do too.”

“Is the photo public or private?” Jared asked.

She shrugged. “I don’t really understand all of that.”

“Would you look it up on your phone and show me?” he asked.

She grabbed her phone from her bedside table and tapped the screen before handing it to Jared. “It’s set to public status. Which means anyone can see this picture. I’ll show you how to change it to private then you need to modify your settings for all of your photos in the future.”

Her face paled. “Do you think someone saw this and that’s why Luna was taken?”

“Could be.” So he was hesitant to come right out and tell the mother that she might have messed up. Showed the same empathy she remembered him having that ill-fated summer.

“We’ll want full access to your social media accounts,” Franz said.

“I only do Facebook but whatever you need.” Mrs. Pratt took her phone back from Jared.

Franz handed her a notepad and pen. “Jot down your login and password. And don’t change the password until we clear you to do so.”

Eyes narrowed, she scribbled on the pad and handed it back. “I can’t believe I could’ve caused Luna to be taken.”

“We don’t know that,” Bristol said. “For now, let’s just focus on the details we do know.”

“Yes. Yes. That would be better.”

“What about other family members?” Bristol asked. “Might one of them have taken Luna?”

“It’s only my and Kevin’s parents. We’re both only children and so were they. Plus, one great-grandfather who’s in a nursing home with dementia. I doubt anyone has even told him about Luna yet.”

“Have Luna’s grandparents visited?”

“Last night.” Mrs. Pratt gripped the bedding, her fingers tight and turning white.

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