My breathing catches, and I hit the brakes, squinting.
I spot the man’s head, his face turned back to me from the car in front, eyes narrow as he tries to figure out who I am and what I’m doing. I slam on my brakes again and jam the car into park, opening my door.
“Sorry.” My hand is up. I must look like a feral animal. I can’t breathe. “It’s…sorry, it’s me. Corinne from next door. I didn’t realize it was you. I’m…I’m looking for Taylor. My daughter. I thought you might’ve been her. The taillights and everything. I just. I don’t know where she is, and you were here and… Sorry. I, um, have you seen her, by any chance?”
He takes half a step closer to see me better. “Corinne? You said your daughter?”
“She’s missing. Er, well, she took the car and snuck out. We’re just trying to make sure she’s okay.”
He presses his lips together, looking around. “I can’t say I’ve seen her. Did you check in town?”
My chest deflates. “That’s where I was heading when I saw your taillights.”
Behind him, the door to the little house opens and an old woman steps outside. She’s wearing a long, blue-and-white nightgown, her white hair loose around her shoulders. She looks frail. Sick.
“What’s going on?” Her voice is soft on the wind, so low I almost miss it.
“Girl from next door is missing,” Conrad informs her.
The woman doesn’t say anything as her head turns toward the woods, in the direction of our cabin.
“I’m going to go,” I say. “Will you please keep an eye out for her?”
“Sure thing,” Conrad says. “She’ll turn up. Ain’t many places to go in a town like this. Let me get these groceries inside, and then I’ll drive around and help you look. I’ll let you know if I see her.”
“Thank you,” I breathe out, my voice cracking. “Thank you.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
CORINNE WILDE - PRESENT DAY
Two hours later, there’s still no sign of Taylor, and I haven’t heard from Conrad.
When I get back to Foxglove, Lewis is pacing on the porch. He looks up frantically when I round the last patch of trees, and he sees his car come into view.
I watch in real time as he processes that it’s me, not her. His face falls, shoulders slump, and it crushes me because it means he hasn’t found her either.
As I exit the car, he rushes toward me. “Anything?”
“I didn’t find her.” I swallow, licking my lips. “I think it’s time we called the police.”
He pauses. “I’m not sure.”
“I’m not really asking your permission.” In fact, I’m already dialing.
He puts his hand on my phone, stopping me. “Don’t I get a say in this? She’s nearly eighteen. If we handle this the wrong way, she might hate us.”
“If we handle this the wrong way, she might end up dead, Lewis. These woods aren’t safe. Especially not at night. Especially not for a young girl.” The words catch in my throat, and I realize too much about what happened to my mom’s sisteris playing in my head here. She disappeared and was never heard from again. Maybe I’m overreacting, but she won’t answer our calls, and we can’t find her. I’m not waiting until it’s too late.
I look at him finally, wondering whether he’ll agree or leave me alone in this decision too, but eventually, he nods and pulls his hand back.
“I’ll try her one more time, but if she doesn’t answer, I’m calling the police. Period.”
“Agreed.” He touches my arm as I tap her name in my call log, waiting.
Seconds pass, but she doesn’t answer. I meet Lewis’s eyes, warning him of my next step without saying a word. Just as I’m preparing to call the police, deciding what I’ll say, the phone rings.
I answer in one breath. “Taylor?”
