She gave them a smug smile. “I keep track of my family.”
“Lila...” Nolan breathed, admiration clear in his voice. “You’re brilliant. Just like your granddad.”
Mia saw the flash of something dark cross Lila’s face. Disgust? Anger? It was gone quickly, but Mia’s heart tugged. They hadn’t had a chance to really talk since everything that had transpired. She made a mental note to sit down with her daughter soon.
Just then, Milly’s phone rang.
She answered immediately. “Dan, where have you been? I’ve been trying to call... Eve has...” She stopped, her eyebrows rising. “Keep me updated.”
She hung up, her voice grim. “David’s missing.”
Mia’s heart jolted, fear flooding through her. Another thought hit her like ice water. “You don’t think Eve’s been taken, too?”
“If I track her on my phone,” Lila suggested, her voice steady despite everything, “we may find them both.”
“Oh no,” Milly hissed. She looked at Nolan. “Let’s take them to Circle Pond. Then I’ll take your car and track Eve. David will never forgive us for getting the two of you more involved than you already are.”
“My father and the woman who’s been the only family Lila and I have had for the past ten years have been taken,” Mia said, anger bubbling up inside her. Her voice was low and fierce. “We’re going with you.”
“Actually,” Lila looked at her mother, her voice oddly calm. “I don’t mind going to Circle Pond, Mom.” She tapped something on her screen. “Shoot.” She growled in frustration. “I’m sorry. We need to get to Uncle William’s. My phone just died.”
Mia looked at Lila carefully. She knew her daughter. Knew all her stunts and expressions. Every tell when she was being less than truthful.
Lila was up to something.
“Nolan, do you have a charger in this car?” Milly asked.
“It’s back in my room,” Nolan told her, pulling out of the parking lot.
“Mine’s in the trunk in my luggage in Aunt Eve’s car,” Lila said quickly. “I know Uncle William has the same new phone as me, so he’ll have a charger.”
“Step on it, Nolan,” Milly said.
Nolan nodded and pressed the accelerator.
Mia’s eyes narrowed on her daughter for a few seconds.
Oh yes, the little minx was definitely up to something. Mia didn’t know whether to be proud or terrified.
She was so much like her...
Mia’s eyes widened as she sat back, her heart pounding.
So much like Mia’s father.
More memories flooded her mind, and she realized she’d never really forgotten her father. Not completely. Her mother had said if she hadn’t become a doctor, she’d want to be a children’s author. It had been her hobby, writing children’s stories just for Mia.
Stories about David Dare.
Mia’s chest tightened as she realized all those stories her mother had written weren’t just stories. They were small pieces of her father’s life. Encoded messages. Blueprints.
Her hand went up to her locket, fingers closing around it.
This is my heart for you to wear around your neck, so you will always have a part of me with you and know how much Daddy loves you, my little Morgan.
Tears pricked her eyes as they slowed and turned.
Her head lifted.
