He shook his head. “It’s good you could remain close in spite of the physical distance between you.” He took his eyes off the road for a second and studied her. “You look like you could use a bite. Are you hungry?”
“A little,” she said, startled that he’d been able to read her needs just by looking at her. It had been a long time since a man other than her brother could do that.
“How about a burger?”
She grimaced. “How about a salad?”
With a grin, he found a drive-through that served a variety of palates and ordered the food.
“We can eat at my office if you want.”
“Sounds good.”
Five minutes later, he turned left into the office parking lot. “So you think you’ll get together with Denise?”
She nodded. “Of course.” She gave a small shrug. “Everything fell apart around the same time three years ago. Molly disappeared, then three weeks later, Denise had to leave. She hated it, but had put off going when Molly was kidnapped. She couldn’t wait any longer and I had to encourage her to go. She left. My husband didn’t seem to care that his daughter was missing….” Her throat wouldn’t work. She cleared it. “Let’s just say it was a really bad time in my life and I felt all alone.”
Max put the car in Park and looked at her, stunned. “Didn’t care she was missing? Why not?”
Erica leaned her head back and closed her eyes. Why had she opened that can of worms? She looked at him. “He never wanted her. Not really. Oh, he put on a good show in public, but at home, he basically ignored her. Children didn’t fit in with his philosophy of ‘life’s a party.’”
He blinked. “Why did you marry him?”
She groaned. “I’ve asked myself that question a million times. We were high school sweethearts. He was handsome and rich and…”
“And?”
She shrugged. “He wanted me. Me.” She tapped a finger to her chest. “I’d never had anyone chase after me, make me feel like I was a big deal, like I was special, and I fell hard for that—and him.”
Max frowned and she could see his mind spinning. “But what about your brothers? And your parents? You come from a good home.”
“My parents provided everything we needed and even a few things people consider luxuries. But they were so consumed with working to make ends meet that they didn’t really have time for us kids. Mom was a nurse and took any extra shift she could. Dad was a mechanic and practically lived at his shop.” She sighed. “They still work like that. It’s crazy.” She sniffled and rubbed her eyes. “It wasn’t a horrible childhood. I just felt…invisible. Andrew noticed me.” She gave another shrug. “I will say this for my parents—they love Molly and have dug into their savings to help try and get her back.”
He squeezed her hand and said, “Sounds like your childhood wasn’t anything to brag about, either.”
She shook her head. “I had it easy compared to you, but you’re right—it left some scars. And left me open to Andrew James sweet-talking me and making me feel special. And mistaking that for love. I found out what love was when Molly was born.”
“What about Andrew’s family?”
“Once he left me, I never heard from them again.” She shrugged. “I wasn’t good enough for him and neither was Molly. They never really had much to do with us.”
“Unbelievable.”
Rachel waved from the door and Max released her hand. “Come on. Let’s see if we get an inkling of why Lydia would show up at your office in the middle of the night.”
As she followed Max into the office, Erica found herself surprised at how easy it had been to talk about Andrew to Max. It wasn’t just that he was a good listener—although he was that—it also had to do with the fact that she was finally healing from Andrew’s betrayal. Finally letting herself open up to another man. She took a deep breath and offered up a silent prayer. Please Lord, let this be the right thing to do. Letting Max in my heart means being vulnerable to hurt and disappointment—and I just don’t know if I’m strong enough for that. If this isn’t what I’m supposed to do, let me know. Soon. Please.
Max stared at the letter left on the front door. He’d used gloves to pull it from the glass.
Taped there by Lydia.
On Erica’s computer, the video footage showed Lydia’s face clearly. She wasn’t trying to hide. She wanted them to see it was her.
STOP LOOKING FOR ME. LEAVE ME ALONE. I DON’T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THAT KIDNAPPING.
“She’s scared,” Erica whispered. “Look at her face, her eyes.”
Erica was right. Lydia’s eyes never stopped darting. Her fingers shook as she taped the note to the door.
Max said, “Paranoia is a side effect of the drugs. Could be she thinks someone is after her but no one really is.”
“Look at her eyes when she stares at the camera with that pleading look. They’re clear, her pupils are normal.”
He saw that. “She moved in close. She did that on purpose,” he said. “She wanted whoever looked at this video to see she wasn’t high.”
Erica looked at him. “So if she’s innocent, why won’t she come in? She knows we’re looking for her.”
“You saw. She’s scared.”
“Or, like you pointed out, she’s just paranoid because of the drugs.”
Max shook his head. “I don’t think so.”
“Come on, Max, you need to wake up,” Erica said, her voice sharp, cutting into him. “She’s just like Peter.”
Max flinched and stared. “Maybe so, but just like you’re not giving up on Peter, I’m not giving up on Lydia.”
She snapped her lips shut and closed her eyes. Took a deep breath. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”
“Apology accepted.” He rubbed a hand down his face. “The truth of the matter is, we won’t know anything until we find her.”
“Then let’s hope this video is a step in the right direction.”
*
While Max took a phone call, Erica called Katie and asked about the note that had been mailed to her, the note that had warned Erica to stop searching.
Katie said, “I was going to call you. There were a few prints on the envelope—yours, Max’s and Rachel’s—but that’s all. Whoever wrote the note and put it in the envelope wore gloves. Traces of latex were found as well as powder that’s common to rubber gloves.”
“So you’re saying that’s a dead end.”
“Unfortunately.”
Erica sighed. “Okay, thanks for checking for me. You did that fast, too. I appreciate it.”
“I want to find her, too, Erica.”
“I know you do.”
For some reason, Katie was very attached to Molly’s case. She’d worked tirelessly during the first few days and weeks after Molly’s disappearance. And she was crushed when she had to move on to other cases when the trail ran cold. Yet she still worked on the case on her own time. Erica figured there was a story there, but Katie had never shared it. And Erica hadn’t asked.
“I’ve got the court order. We’re waiting for Allison Redmond—Red—to make a phone call. When she does, we’ll trace it.”
“Okay, thanks.”
“Oh, and I saw Brandon coming out of the police station a while ago. I gave him a file you’ll be interested in.”
“Perfect. Talk to you soon.”
*
Erica hung up with Katie just as Max stepped into her office. “Anything on Lydia?” she asked.
“Nothing.”
“And Bea’s all right?”
“Yes. She said everything has been normal.”
Erica frowned. “I’m glad.”
“So why the frown?”
“My head is spinning. I’m having a hard time figuring out what to do next.”
Brandon rapped on the door. She waved him in and he slapped a file on her desk. Then he nodded to her salad. “You need protein.”
“It has chicken, Brandon,” Erica said, with a warning in her voice.
“Yes.”
Erica opened it. She studied it for a moment then looked up. “Another missing child.”
“Yeah. She’s making a referral. Said they were at their wits’ end and maybe you would have some luck with it.”
Erica sighed. “I don’t have the time. I’m consumed with this new lead on Molly.”
“Want me to take it?”
“You feel up to it?”
He rolled his eyes and snagged the file back from her. “I feel up to it.” He glanced back at her. “What are we doing for Thanksgiving?”
“Our usual, I suppose. Have you talked to Mom or Dad?”
He grimaced. “No. Not lately.”
“Everyone can come to my house,” she said. “It needs some cheering up.”
He nodded and she saw Max watching them, his eyes following their volley. When Brandon left, he stood.
“You’re good at what you do.” She lifted a brow and Max shrugged. “Brandon and Jordan both respect you. They listen to you.”
“You mean underneath the rolling of the eyes and overprotective instincts?”
A small smile played around the corners of his mouth. “Yeah.”
She returned the smile. “You’re right, they do.” She spread her hands. “I’m a delegator. I see past the forest to the individual trees.”
“And yet you see the big picture, too.”
“Most of the time.” She let out a sigh. “And sometimes I can’t see anything but a big impenetrable brick wall.”
“Finding Molly?”
“Finding Molly.”
Silence sat between them for a moment before Rachel stuck her head in the door. “Someone here to see you.”
“Who?”
“Me.”
Denise Tanner stepped from behind Rachel and gave Erica a wide smile. Joy rushed through her, and she quickly crossed the office to give her friend a tight hug. “Oh, Denise, I’m so glad to see you.”
“I hoped you wouldn’t mind me stopping by.”
“Of course not.” She turned to Max and introduced him.
“This is Max Powell. He’s a private investigator…and a good friend. He’s helping me track down a new lead on Molly.”
“A new lead?” Denise leaned forward, eyes intent.
“Yes. Have you seen the news?”
“No. I’ve been so busy with Dad I haven’t had a moment to do anything normal like watch TV or catch up with friends.”
Erica told her about the new evidence, and Denise brushed away tears. “Oh goodness, that’s the craziest thing ever. I’m praying it pans out. Do the police have anything else at all besides this girl, Lydia?”
“No. That’s why we need to find her.”
“You’ll find her. I have no doubt about that.” She turned to Max. “Erica’s like Midas, you know. Everything she touches turns to gold. It’s a quality I’ve envied for years.” She gave a light laugh.
Erica tilted her head. “Why would you say that?”
Denise shrugged. “It’s true. I always wanted to be like you when we were in high school.”
Shocked, Erica stared at her friend. “What? You’re kidding. But you’re super successful.”
“I am now, but when we were growing up, I was always in your shadow.” She stood. “But I have you to thank for my success. Wanting to be like you made me work extra hard. You were a huge influence in my life.”
Denise’s words floored her. She gaped. Max laughed. “I think you’ve managed to make her speechless.”
“I’ve needed to say those words for a long time now.” She wiped a tear. “Okay, enough with the mushy stuff. I won’t keep you any longer. I just took a break and ran over here to see you.”
Erica gave her friend another hug. “I’m so glad you did. Please let me know if I can do anything for you.”
“I will.” She shrugged. “Right now it’s just hurry up and wait. It’s sad, but it’s his time and I think I’ve finally accepted that.” Denise smiled at Max. “Nice to meet you.”
“You, too.”
After Denise left, Erica dropped into her chair. “Well. That was interesting.”
Max stepped over and sat across from her. “See? You never know whose life you’re going to impact. I’m not surprised she had such great things to say. I’ve come to discover just how wonderful you really are.”
She felt the flush climb up her neck, but forced herself to meet his eyes. “I think you’re pretty wonderful, too, Max.”
He reached across the desk and snagged her fingers. Just as he opened his mouth, her phone rang. Shooting him an apologetic glance, she checked the number. “It’s Katie.”
He sat back. “You’d better take it.”
Erica snatched the phone. “Hello?”
“Red called a pay phone located at the mall.”
Excitement zipped along her spine. “Are you on the way?”
“We are. And we’ve got the stores pulling video even as we speak. Detective Lee is on Red at the rehab center.”
Erica chewed on her lip. “You think you’ll get there in time?”
“I don’t know. We’re trying to be subtle, go in quiet and see if we can spot her.”
“Okay, call me as soon as you know something.”
“I will.”
Erica hung up and looked into Max’s expectant face. “They traced the call.”
“Then let’s go.”
Erica stood. “I’m worried if Lydia’s been watching the news, she may recognize Katie or Detective Lee. If she sees them, she’ll run.”
He ran a hand over his face and pinched the bridge of his nose. “If she sees me, she’ll run for sure.”
Erica hesitated only a second. “Let’s chance it.”
He nodded and she followed him out the door.
THIRTEEN
The drive to the mall took about ten minutes. Erica shifted on the seat, impatient to be doing something, anything. She was so tired of waiting on someone else to call with news. She wanted to find Lydia herself.
And yet she didn’t want to do anything that would send the girl running. But how could she convince Lydia to talk to her if she couldn’t even make contact?
Her phone rang and she snatched it. Denise said, “Are you still willing to help?”
“Of course.”
“It was so good seeing you. I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you, too.” Her friend paused. Erica asked, “What do you need, Denise?”
“Do you think we could meet for dinner tonight?”
“Sure.” Why would Denise hesitate over asking that question? “You want me to come to the hospital?”
“If you don’t mind.”
Erica could hear the tears in Denise’s voice and her heart broke for her friend. She’d been particularly close to her father, and this had to be killing her. “No problem. What time?”
“Five thirty in the cafeteria?”
“I’ll be there.” She hung up and looked at Max. “Denise wants me to meet her for dinner.”
“I’m glad you two will have a chance to catch up a little.”
“I am, too. I’m glad she finally asked me to do something, offered a way for me to help her.”
“You’re a good friend, Erica.”
Max parked and they walked into the food court. Erica pushed the phone call with Denise aside as her nerves hummed. Would this be the day she finally found Lydia and learned what happened to Molly?
With her throat tight and her stomach cramped, Erica ignored her anxiety and scanned the crowd as they walked from the car into the food court. People sat at tables and chatted, others stood in the long lines waiting to order. Erica simply wanted to see Lydia’s face.
“She used a pay phone over there,” Max said after consulting his phone.
“Have they spotted her yet?”
“No.”
&n
bsp; Erica felt her hopes start to disintegrate. It was too late. There was no way Lydia would still be hanging around the mall.
“Security has her picture,” Max said as his eyes probed the area. Erica could feel the tension, the hope, radiating from him.
“We need to find her.”
“I know.”
Max’s phone rang. He listened for a brief second then his eyes caught hers. “That was Chris. They found Peter’s car abandoned on the outskirts of town in an old barn. Guy who owns the place found it and called it in.”
“Then it probably wasn’t Peter driving it. Or shooting at us.”
He shrugged. “There’s a good possibility it wasn’t him. Then again, he could be the one who abandoned the car.”
“I really don’t think it was.”
He gave her a sad smile. “And I really don’t think Lydia was involved with the kidnapping. I hope we’re both right.”
His words hurt, and she grimaced. Just because they’d grown close in this search for his sister and her daughter didn’t mean he had to change his mind to her way of thinking. And she’d better remember that if she didn’t want to wind up with a broken heart. Lydia came first for him. And that’s the way it probably should be. She couldn’t help the small selfish wish that she’d come first for someone.
His phone rang again. He listened, and hung up. “They think they spotted her over near the arcade.”
Erica pushed aside her pity party and checked the mall map. She headed in the direction of the arcade, Max following close behind. Security descended and Erica clenched her jaw. “I thought they were going to be subtle.”
“I did, too.” He didn’t look pleased. “Stay with me.”
“Wouldn’t it be better if we split up?”
He grasped her fingers. “I don’t want to take a chance on losing you.”
Losing her? A tingle shot through her in spite of the circumstances. She didn’t want to lose him, either. But what if Lydia was involved? How would he feel about her then? And how would she feel about him?
She pulled away. “Don’t be silly. Security’s all over this area.” She looked around. “Which is why she wouldn’t stay here.”
Max sucked in a deep breath. Katie broke away from a group of teens and walked toward them. “She was here. As recently as fifteen minutes ago.”
Hope leaped. “Then we have a chance of finding her.”
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