"The cameras were deactivated," the detective reminds me. He's older with a bit of grey in his hair, and he's wearing a dark grey suit. "And the person or persons could've climbed over the fence. However, there's also the possibility that someone came in through the gated entrance." He has a handheld device and has been taking notes with a stylus pen. "How many people know the code to the security system out front?"
I trade a look with Finn, who shrugs. He's been uncharacteristically quiet since we arrived here.
"I'm not sure," I say, turning back to the detective. "Finn and I do. My father does. And maybe some of the people that work for my mom, but I'm not positive." I pause. "You think whoever took her knows her?"
"I wouldn't say that yet, but we have to rule out all possibilities." He taps the stylus against the screen. "I need to ask you a few more questions, but I'd prefer to do that at the station. We can head there now if that works for you two."
I have no desire to go anywhere. I want to search my mother's home and see if I can figure out what happened. I want to demand that the police rip the city apart until they have answers. But doing any of this isn't an option, so Finn and I agree to go to the station for the second time tonight.
It hurts to go, though.
While she isn't perfect, my mother was the only ray of light in clouds that constantly hover over Finn, Lily, and me. Now she's gone, and all that's left is a storm.
A couple of hours later, Finn and I are exiting the Royal City Police Station. The questioning lasted about an hour, and it took the detective over an hour to get started. The questions were mainly about my mom, but he did ask where Finn and I were tonight. He became mildly suspicious after we told him we were at the northside Police Station. I understand why, but Finn and I have nothing to hide, and Maddy isn't missing anymore. Eventually, after looking into this, he let us go and told us he'd be in touch with updates.
It feels strange to leave the building without any answers. Plus, I’m getting tired. I need to sleep. It’s been a long damn day.
"Maybe Mom just wanted to start over," Finn suggests after we've climbed into his car.
I noticed how pale he looks in the fluorescent glow of the light trickling from the police station. "What do you mean?”
"Mom." He glances at me. "Maybe she just didn't want to deal with Dad anymore and knew the only way to escape was to take off."
I waver. "That seems like a stretch. Besides, she and Dad are divorced, so why would she go to that extreme? They don't even really talk to each other anymore."
He stares out at the parking lot covered with darkness and trails of lamplight, thrumming his fingers on top of the steering wheel. "Are you sure about that?"
I pull my brows together. "Do you know something?"
He glances at me. "I overheard Mom and Dad a few weeks ago arguing in the library of Dad's main house. I was staying there for the night because I went to a race that was in the area, but neither of them knew I was there. I woke up to them shouting. But I couldn't tell what they were yelling about."
"Did you tell the detective that?" I wouldn't know since we were questioned separately.
He nods, raking his fingers through his hair. "I did. I'm worried, though, that Dad's too powerful for them to look into him.”
"That's possible," I agree in a quiet tone.
"We might have to look into it on our own." He pushes the ignition button, and the engine rumbles. "Have you heard anything more from Maddy?”
With my lips pressed together, I shake my head. "She said she'd be in touch too, so I’m a bit worried. Let me try to call her." I dial her number, but she doesn't answer.
So, I text her.
Me: Everything okay?
I startle when she replies within seconds.
Maddy: Yeah, I'm actually about to leave. I'm not sure where to go, though….
Me: Meet us at the condo. We're headed there now.
Maddy: Okay, I'll see you there.
"She's headed to the condo," I inform Finn as I lift my hips and slide my phone into my pocket. "I told her we'd meet her there."
He shifts gears and drives forward. "Did she give you any more information about what happened?"
I shake my head, rewinding through tonight's events, particularly about what my mom messaged me right before she disappeared. I mentioned the message to the detective, but didn't give details on who Maddy is, at least facts about her real identity. I didn't see the purpose of that, for now, anyway.
