“If I were cleaning up, why did I leave Jessie’s bandana on the fence?” Grady slapped his palms on the table and pushed himself back. “I’m out of here. You have something against me personally. I can’t help that, but right now, we need to find Jessie and Linx. Maybe they’re both indanger.”
Todd groaned and palmed his forehead. “What do you thinkhappened?”
“I don’t know,” Grady said. “But every minute is critical. What if Linx came back to the center and the kidnapper held her at gunpoint and made her drive off with Jessie and Ginger? Her gun is missing from hernightstand.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Todd barked, snapping to hisfeet.
“You were too busy arresting me to listen to me.” Grady stood up to him. “Am I free to leave? I want to start the search, if you don’tmind.”
“We have men searching already. We’re interviewing witnesses and we’ve put out an Amber alert.” Todd huffed. “And yes, you’re free toleave.”
“Thanks,” Grady said. “Did you send any men to the pastor’s house to see if Betsy’smissing?”
“Who’s Betsy?” Toddasked.
“Jessie’s older dog. She’d gotten lost earlier this month and I found her wandering around my parents’ property after it was burneddown.”
“We’ll check,” Todd said. “Although I don’t see the point. If the kidnapper nabbed her from church, he’d be stupid to go back and get the otherdog.”
“So, let me get this straight,” Becca said. “You think the kidnapper broke into the center, took the missing puppy, and then went to the church and lured Jessie into his or hercar?”
“That’s the most likely scenario, now that you spell it out,” Todd said, then turned to his deputy. “Any otherideas?”
“I know she’s your sister,” the deputy drawled. “But she could have come back to the center, taken the puppy, then opened the gates to make it seem as if there’d been a burglary, then lured Jessie into her car. It makes sense since Jessie knows and trustsher.”
“Linx would never do that,” Grady said hotly. “Unless the kidnapper forced her. No, she wouldn’t even do it at gunpoint. She’d take the shot and tell Jessie torun.”
The deputy shrugged. “Like I said, you won’t like my scenario, but I think it’s the most likely. Something caused your sister to crack. I don’t know what it is, but the entire town knows she’s Jessie’s biological mom. We think the pastor’s too naïve and kind-hearted to let Jessie get so close toLinx.”
“My sister would never hurt that little girl,” Toddsaid.
“Linx is not that underhanded,” Becca argued. “She’s friends with thePattersons.”
“Like I said, I don’t know what kind of stress she’s been under,” the deputy said. “But you might want me to lead the investigation if you can’t beobjective.”
“Hell no!” Todd stormed. “I’m a lawman and I’ll follow the trail wherever it leads. Let’s get out there and find mysister.”
“She could be in grave danger,” Grady warned. “Let’s not pin this on her without proof. Jessie must be so scared right now. Scared and lonely. We have to find her and bring her back to her parents, and we have to worktogether.”
