Chapter 36
Afew hours later, the crime techs are already hard at work, dusting for fingerprints and photographing every inch of the apartment. Just then, the crime techs walk toward me, grim expressions on their faces. My stomach drops. ”What did you find?”
One of the techs holds up a tube containing liquid. ”Bloody footprints were leading in and out of Sophia”s room. They began appearing outside of Sadie”s room. We collected a sample and will test it for DNA, but it”s most likely Tia’s blood.”
I nod.
After they leave, another technician approaches me and says, ”Javi, we found a torn piece of fabric near the front door.” He holds up an evidence bag for me to see. ”It seems like it got caught on a nail.”
”Have the tech team run a trace on the fabric and see if we can match it to anything in our database,” I demand. The technicians nod and leave the apartment, but I add, ”Make it a priority.”
Finally, something that might lead us to the suspect. When I find them, they”ll wish they were never born. If they hurt her... no, I can”t think that way.
Tension grips my heart as Derick, and I stand inside Sadie”s apartment. Sophia has been missing for over two hours, and every passing moment feels like an eternity.
”Dammit, Derick, we need to find something, anything that can help us track down Sophia,” I say, my voice filled with desperation.
Derick nods grimly. ”Let”s go back to her room since that”s where you found the note. Maybe there”s something else we missed.”
We enter Sophia”s room and notice her blanket is rumpled, and her plush baseball lays in the corner. The bear we gave her lays flat on its back.
I run a hand through my hair, my mind racing with a million thoughts and fears. How could someone just snatch an innocent baby from her own home? And how did they get inside?
”I don”t understand, Derick. There”s no sign of forced entry. How could this happen?” I mutter.
Derick crouches down, examining a pile of scattered toys on the floor. ”Whoever took her knew the layout of this place.”
A surge of anger courses through me. ”I”ll tear this city apart to find her.”
Derick places a reassuring hand on my shoulder. ”We”ll find her, Javi. We just need to stay focused and follow the evidence.”
We comb through every inch of the apartment, searching for any clue to shed light on Sophia”s disappearance. After what feels like hours, I receive a call and answer it quickly, hoping it’s an update on Sadie and Tia.
”Javi?”
As soon as I hear Gabby”s voice, a wave of warmth spreads through me. ”Gabby, have you heard anything?” I ask her anxiously.
After my phone call with Seb, I had to contact my wife. She was distraught and immediately contacted Elisa to find out what was happening.
”She hasn’t woken up yet.” Gabby’s voice cracks. “And Tia was rushed to surgery.”
I run my hand down my face, feeling the weight of the situation bearing down on me.
”I”m picking up Elisa, and we”re heading to the hospital,” my wife says.
”Good. Keep me posted,” I reply, trying to sound calm and composed.
”And Sophia?” she asks, her voice trembling
I swallow hard, feeling a lump form in my throat. ”Nothing yet,” I say, my voice somber.
This could be our daughter.
”If anyone can find her, it”s you, mi amor. Don”t give up. I love you,” she says. I sense the fear and desperation in my wife”s voice as she speaks.
”I love you too,” I reply, my heart heavy with worry.
After we hang up, Derik says, “What about this Payton girl? We know she’s been harassing Donnie. Do you think she would’ve done this to get back at him for rejecting her?”
My brows furrowed deeply, contemplating the possibility. Why the fuck didn’t that first cross my mind? A shiver of unease ran down my spine as the pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place. ”I wouldn”t put it past her,” I murmured. ”Love and hate can drive people to unimaginable lengths. If Payton felt scorned and humiliated, there”s no telling what she”s capable of. We need to question her.”
He nods in agreement.