Chapter Forty-One Hanna
Chapter Forty-One
Hanna
The next day I searched the grounds around Xavier’s house. Every outbuilding. The garages. All around the pond. Even dipped
a canoe paddle into the shallow end, just in case.
I took a break to visit the hospital and talked with Daniela’s sister and nephew. The doctors had placed Daniela in a temporary
coma because the hit to her head resulted in fluid on her brain. Serious and potentially devastating. The rest and quiet gave
her a chance to heal.
The police stationed an officer outside her room on guard duty. He balked about my entering, but Daniela’s family made sure
I was added to the visitor list.
Still no word from Jeremy.
I leaned against the farmhouse sink in Xavier’s impressive kitchen and stared without focus. My mind wandered to scary places.
Blood-splattered walls. A knife. Jeremy screaming for help.
My fingers clenched against the counter’s edge with enough force to make my palms ache. “Please . . .”
I didn’t know who I was pleading with, but I knew Jeremy’s lack of communication wasn’t about anger or a punishment. Someone
took him, possibly hurt him. The jabbing in my chest told me I was right to call the police over and over, to plead with the
FBI, and to talk to everyone at school who knew Jeremy. Things I did for hours today.
I’d kept my mind busy through lunch and dinner. The sun had set. The light gray skies warned of incoming rain. Of the possibility
of bitter cold. Another night without him being in a place I could call and confirm his safety.
A sob escaped before I could choke it back. I needed strength and focus. Determination and being a royal pain in the ass to
law enforcement were the only ways to keep myself busy. I needed to hammer the message until someone listened and helped me.
Stella tried, which was sweet because her concern contrasted with how I’d always viewed her. Tough. Unemotional. These days
I saw a different side. She offered words of comfort. Lukas came over and shouted on the phone at people in power on my behalf,
promising to keep the pressure on. When it became obvious we weren’t going to get a follow-up from Marni about what happened
with the police, I sent Stella home to her daughter.
Now, darkness closed in. I needed lights. I’d turn on every single one, light this mansion up like a Christmas tree, if that’s
what it took for me to search room by room. Jeremy might not be here but there could be a clue. A hint.
I’d sell the café for the cost of a cup of coffee in exchange for one of those cryptic notes right now. I welcomed any help.
“Enough.” I pushed off the counter and reached for the flashlight I’d found under the sink earlier. Until I knew which lights worked and which didn’t, I needed to be prepared.
I walked out of the kitchen and through the dining room with the ridiculously long table and flower print on the chairs, on
the way to the family room. One step in the cozier space and my head shot up.
I wasn’t alone.
Aubrey stood on the other side of the room, looking both creepy as hell and far too comfortable in this house that didn’t
belong to her. She had all the urgency of someone who’d gotten up off the couch to wander around, looking for a snack. She
didn’t wear a coat. Just black jeans and a black sweater. The monotone choice would be chic on anyone else. On her? Combative.
If she came looking for a fight, great. I was in the mood for a takedown.
So many questions bombarded my brain. The most obvious . . . “What the hell are you doing here?”
She smiled. “Hanna, we need to talk.”