"I don't know, Caleb. I wish I had answers. I wish a lot of things."
"I know that feeling."
"When he wakes up, he'll want to know what the police are doing today," Lori said. "We can start with getting an update from them. He'll feel awful, so water, coffee, and maybe Pepto will be useful."
"Good ideas, babe."
Though Lori smiled, it didn't reach her eyes. She felt responsible, and it was a feeling she couldn't shake. Hailey had disappeared on her watch, after all.
"People stopped by off and on yesterday. There was a bunch of stuff left on the front porch, according to your mom. Food, flowers, stuffed animals, notes. I haven't been by Devon's, but it's probably the same. Vince said he would go by there today and check." Don braved the donut and found he was hungry.
"Vince is out searching again. Anna wants to help, too, but she couldn't find a sub since every able body is already searching. She'll check in with the police after school to see if there's anything she can do," Lori said.
"We need all the help we can get, that's for sure." Don rubbed his face again, hoping once more that Devon would sleep the day away. "We can hang posters, and I think I heard they were going to fax her missing persons photo to more counties."
"I honestly don't know what's left," Caleb said. "Search and Rescue was going to dredge the rivers, I think. There's more park to cover but, honestly, how is it even possible to cover all that area?"
"I'll do it my fucking self if I have to. I'll walk the entire state of New Hampshire, Caleb. I have to find her."
The trio at the table looked up at Devon. His eyes were puffy and the circles under them were nearly black. His complexion was paler than usual, and his slouched shoulders caused him to look as though he was knocking on death's door.
Caleb stood and crossed the kitchen to stand with his brother. "And I'll be by your side the whole way if that's what it takes."
Devon fell against his brother and sobbed.
Chapter Five
She's gone. Taken fromme. What did she do to deserve that fate?
The words repeated themselves in Devon's head as he looked for his daughter. His father was by his side, as were Vince and Caleb. They followed mountain paths and hiked to camping spots favored by the locals. They reached the boundary of the Chatsworth Mill, and the other three had to convince Devon not to proceed.
"We're not supposed to go on their land without permission," Vince pointed out.
"Chief Hemsworth said she was in touch with Steven Chatsworth," Caleb reminded Devon. "He was going to let us know today if he’d heard from his father."
"It's a helpless five-year-old, Caleb. How could they say no?"
