Chapter 8 #2
A final face came on the screen. Melody Rust. A redheaded officer with hazel eyes who lived in Boulder, she specialized in bomb detection with her male chocolate Lab, Dusty.
Emmett spoke up. “First of all, team, I want to thank you all for your diligence. Some of you have been going above and beyond in terms of the amount of time and mileage you’ve put into this investigation.
” The dark-haired task force leader seemed to take them all in with his blue-eyed gaze in one sweep.
River felt a pang of guilt. His ability to help move the case forward had been hindered by the time he’d put into finding Elsie.
Mia needed saving, too. His heart twinged thinking of the missing pregnant teen.
Her family—in particular, her grandfather Dodger, who’d helped form the task force to investigate her abduction—wanted the young woman found.
Emmett continued. “We’re combing the state for every possible lead, including visiting homes for unwed mothers.
River uncovered that Gayle may have gone to a free clinic in Denver.
We have task force members down there, showing her photo as well as the ones of the other two girls, Jenny and Nina.
There has to be a connection somewhere, a method and a means as to how these girls were found and taken hostage until their babies were born. ”
Autumn piped up. “I had a chance to visit two of the homes for unwed mothers. None of them remembered Gayle. Honestly, both places seemed aboveboard. I still have a couple more clinics to visit.” River had spent time with Autumn last month checking out the homes and hospitals near Canyon Creek where Jenny Clarke had disappeared.
“One of the aspects of this case that we need to consider is not only how and where the girls are being targeted but how the adoptions unfold. We don’t think this is happening through a legitimate agency. Eva has an update on what she’s uncovered so far.”
Eva brushed a strand of dark hair behind her ear.
“Thanks, Emmett. As Emmett said, we don’t think these adoptions are happening in any aboveboard agency.
I got to thinking it has to be something online on the dark web.
Maybe parents who are desperate for a child and willing to pay big bucks.
They may or may not be aware that they are engaging in illegal activity. ”
Maren spoke up. “The desire for a child sometimes can just be so strong that people don’t see the red flags to think to do a little research about who they’re dealing with.”
“True,” said Eva. “I’ve infiltrated a private online group on the dark web of parents seeking to adopt. We are looking at one couple in particular: Erin and Edward McGrath. They put an announcement in the Canyon Creek paper when they adopted their baby.”
Autumn leaned closer to the screen. “Canyon Creek is where Jenny’s body was found.”
“Exactly,” said Emmett. “We began the process of investigating them when they disappeared with their baby. We think they may have fled the country.”
“That seems suspicious.” Eli shifted in his chair. “Do you think the baby they adopted might be Jenny’s?”
“It’s a possibility. The birthdate corresponds.”
“I interviewed a few of Erin and Edward’s relatives, neighbors and coworkers,” Melody interjected. “They all said the same thing. That the adoptive parents were very vague about how and where they had adopted the baby boy from.”
“Maybe they knew or suspected the adoption agency wasn’t legit,” said River.
“I agree,” said Emmett. “It makes them look guilty. We’re going to try to track them down.
In the meantime, our focus is on these clinics and the homes where the girls may have stayed.
Eva will continue to snoop around the dark web adoption site.
We may set up some sort of sting operation in the future with a fake couple wanting to adopt. ”
“River, how are things going with finding Elsie?” Autumn queried.
Eva’s expression grew grim.
River could feel the heaviness in the room as Lydia sat next to him, out of sight from the people on the screen. She’d been taking small bites of chili but mostly staring off into space.
“Eva’s been helping me quite a lot. I know that’s a drain on our resources,” said River.
“Elsie life matters, too,” said Eli. “As much as Mia’s. We all feel the weight of what Elsie’s mom must be going through.”
“We got a guy from the school whose alibi still needs to be confirmed.” He reached over and cupped his hand over Lydia’s. “We’re not giving up.”
“Let us know any way we can help,” said Autumn.
Several other task force members offered similar sentiments. River appreciated the show of support.
“River, when you have time, Eva dug up several more names of people who knew Gayle,” said Emmett.
Tension threaded through River’s torso. He wasn’t carrying his weight in this investigation. Just as with Elsie’s case, every lead could reveal where Mia was. “Sure. Eva, can you text me the names, addresses and relationship to Gayle?”
He watched Eva nodding on camera.
“River, I’ll be in the area for a while if you need help.” Maren offered him a smile that showed her dimples.
“Thanks,” said River.
Emmett signed off and the faces disappeared from the screen one by one. Feeling torn, River stared at the black screen.
“Your chili’s cold. Do you want me to reheat it for you?”
He’d only taken a few bites. “I can finish it this way, that’s fine.” The look on Lydia’s face was so sweet, so trusting.
She picked up her empty bowl and took it over to the sink. She rested her hands on the counter with her back to him. “You have to get back to your job, don’t you?”
He rose and came to stand beside her. She turned to face him, green eyes filled with pain. “You saw how the team is. They want to find Elsie as bad as I do, but yes, a young woman’s life is at stake.”
“I appreciate everything that you’ve done for me, for Elsie.” She reached up and pressed her hand against his forearm.
Her touch warmed him to the bone as guilt washed through him. He couldn’t be in two places at once. “I won’t leave for those interviews until an officer is parked outside.”
“Thank you.” Her expression softened and he found himself leaning closer to her, searching the depths of her eyes. He really wanted to kiss her.
She was the first to break the connection and step away. “Guess I’m staying here for the long haul. I don’t know why I thought Elsie would be back in my arms by now.”
He swept his thumb over her hand, still placed on his arm. “I know there’s not much food in this house. Maybe after I get done today, we can get some groceries.”
“I’d love to cook you a nice meal as a way of saying thank you.”
Even in the middle of the biggest trial of her life, she was thinking of others. “I’d like that.”
She turned back toward the sink to rinse out her bowl. “I hate to be a bother, but I need more clothes. I don’t have a budget to keep buying them.”
“It’s not a bother. Maybe tonight, after I get back, I can take you to your place to grab a few more things.”
“I’ll call the fire department today and make sure it’s safe to go back in,” she said.
By the time River finished his chili, a female police officer was parked outside. He headed toward the door with Frankie beside him. This would be a long, lonely day for Lydia.
“Stay. Sit,” he commanded. “I’m leaving her here. She’ll keep you company and be an extra measure of protection.”
“I appreciate that.” Lydia walked over to touch Frankie’s head.
Feeling torn between two devastating situations, River stepped outside alone. He waved at the officer behind the wheel.
Lydia stood at the window with Frankie resting her paws on the sill so she could see out.
He prayed for her safety as he got into his patrol car and pulled away from the curb.