Page 68 of Love From the Ashes

“Our minds are so complex, and sometimes the way people think and act make no sense until you understand the underlying issues or step into their shoes.”

“I suppose you’re right,” Reid said. He was frustrated that he had been unaware of any of this and had inadvertently made things worse rather than better for her when she needed him. “Do you think she’d return to the shelter she was staying at when we met?” Reid was grasping for a sliver of hope that Sofie would feel safe and comfortable enough to return there.

“I don’t think so,” Mavin said, shaking her head. “It would take her full circle, going back where she started. It would be like admitting she failed and had to start over. I think pride and embarrassment would keep her from going there. I think Sofie will go to a shelter, but a different one. I’d look for her at shelters specifically for expectant mothers. The only thing is you normally have to apply and be accepted to get into one of those. That would mean Sofie would have to go somewhere else first.”

“Thank you, Mavin,” Reid said, his hope dwindling as a feeling of despair took hold of him. “Could you reschedule those two meetings I have this morning? I need to do what I can to find Sofie.”

“Certainly, I’ll take care of it.” Mavin left the office, quietly closing the door behind her.

Reid turned to his mother. “I don’t want to lose her. I can’t lose her. She’s everything to me.”

“I know she is, sweetheart.”

Reid got up from his chair, the anger he felt at himself eating away at him. “I’m going to my office to put my cell phone on a charger. I’ll call all the hotels in the city and surrounding areas to see if she’s checked in anywhere. I’ll see if I can get a hold of Braxton Hennessey too. He’s with the Boston Police Department now. He might not be able to help since Sofie left voluntarily, but it’s worth a shot.”

“I’ll get a hold of Della and Adam in case Sofie did talk to them. And, Reid…”

“Yes.”

“Don’t give up hope. We’ll find her.”

“I hope so,” he whispered before walking out the door.

*

Reid left workearly, unable to concentrate on anything all day except finding Sofie. He hung his head as he walked up his front steps. For the first time in his life, he felt helpless.

“Did you have any luck with your search?” Anderson said as he took Reid’s coat at the front door.

“No. I called every hotel and motel on my Google search, and all said there were no guests under Sofie’s name. Braxton Hennessey couldn’t help me either since Sofie left voluntarily, and my mother talked to Sofie’s friends without any luck. They were as surprised as we were that she’d left, so it seems I’m striking out no matter which way I turn.”

“I’m sorry, sir. I know this is difficult for you. Grace made you some chicken and dumplings. I doubt you’ve eaten anything today, so a hot meal in your stomach would do you some good.”

“Thank you, Anderson. I’m not sure if I can even eat anything. My stomach has been upset most of the day.” Reid went down the hall to wash up and then sat at the dining room table. He spooned some of the chicken and dumplings into his bowl and took a bite. As much as Reid loved Grace’s cooking, he didn’t seem to have much of an appetite. He forced himself to eat half a bowl and then retired upstairs, feeling drained.

Reid took a warm shower and slipped into his pajamas. He tried watching a movie in bed, but he couldn’t concentrate. He turned off the television and lamp, but sleep eluded him, his mind consumed with thoughts of Sofie. Where had she gone? Was she scared? Was she safe? Not knowing the answers was devastating. Frustrated and filled with unbearable sadness, he got up and went into the nursery. He trudged across the floor to the rocking chair in the corner. The room was dark except for a sliver of moonlight that lit up the playpen filled with stuffed animals and toys. He pictured himself and Sofie playing with their daughter on the floor, a toddler’s soft laughter echoing in his mind. Reid leaned his head back in the chair and slowly rocked, whispering to himself, “Sofie, where are you?”

Reid opened his eyes, suddenly feeling cold. He’d dozed off in the chair. He got up, went to his room, and slipped into bed, tossing and turning the same as before. Sofie’s image was like a silent movie that kept playing in his mind. He rolled over and slid to her side of the bed, burying his face in her pillow, her scent giving him some semblance of comfort. He wrapped his arms around the feather-filled pillowcase. He had to find her.

CHAPTER 24

The Search

Reid looked upfrom his laptop when he heard the knock on his front door. It had to be his mother based on the time displayed on the bottom of his computer screen. The private investigator he’d hired, Keith Vincent, wasn’t due to arrive for another ten minutes. Anderson answered the door, showing Reid’s mother into the parlor. Reid set his laptop on the coffee table and got up from the couch to greet her.

“Sweetheart, you look exhausted, and you’ve lost some weight. You’re still not sleeping, are you?” his mother said, looking concerned. She set her purse on the coffee table and gave Reid a hug and kiss on the cheek.

“I haven’t had an appetite, and I can’t sleep. Every time I crawl into bed, I lay there and worry about Sofie and whether or not she’s all right. It’s agonizing not knowing.”

“I know, sweetheart. At least you’re doing everything you can to find her. I’ll continue to handle everything at work until you return.”

“Thank you. Keith should be here in a few minutes, and I hope he has some good news.”

“Are you sure we can trust him? We need someone with a lot of experience in finding missing persons, especially since Sofie knows how to hide.”

“I trust him. As I mentioned before, Braxton recommended him. They worked together on the police force until Keith retired and got his private investigator license. He has years of experience besides having some inside connections with the police department.”

“You’re right. I’m being overly critical. It sounds like the man has the qualifications we need.”

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