“No,” I said. “But I am worried about her. Did you see anybody talking to her before she gave you the note?”
Kami tilted her head. “No, but she kept looking toward that side of the bleachers.” She pointed to the Clumsy Penguin’s side. “I don’t know if she was looking at anybody in particular, but she glanced there a few times before handing me the note and phone and running out the door.”
I turned toward the bleachers and didn’t see any obvious threats. “Did anybody follow her out?”
“I don’t think so, but I didn’t really watch,” Kami said. “The hotdogs needed to be turned, so I was concentrating on those.”
“All right. Is there anything you can add to help us find her?”
Kami shook her head. “Not really, except she bought about forty dollars’ worth of food to stuff into her backpack. Mainly chips and things.” She winced. “But I don’t want to get her into trouble. Junk food isn’t that bad.”
“Okay, thanks.” I hurried into the restroom again to look for any clues, but there was nothing. Finally, I met up with Aiden, who was scrolling through his phone. “What are you doing?”
“Getting my team on alert in case we need them.” Concern glittered in his too-blue eyes. “Besides her old place, I have no idea where to have them search.” He took my hand. “Let’s go, Angel.”
I nodded, my nerves jangling. We had to find her.
The entire familymet up at Aiden’s place at midnight, dejected and somewhat panicking. Nobody had found any sign of Violet on either side of the pass. Yara was beside herself at home.
“We need to call the police,” I said as Donna and Tessa raided my freezer for prepped meals to cook for everyone.
Uncle Buddy nodded. “I agree.”
I took a deep breath and dialed Pierce’s direct number.
“Pierce,” he mumbled sleepily.
I winced. “Hi, it’s Anna.”
Bedclothes rustled. “What’s up?” He sounded more alert now.
I took a deep breath. “I should’ve called the station but wanted you on this. Violet disappeared. The girl my aunt and uncle are moving to adopt? She just took off.”
Pierce cleared his throat. “How old is she?”
“Sixteen,” I said.
“When?”
I gulped. “About five hours ago.”
“Is there any sign she was kidnapped?”
“No. She left a note saying she was sorry.”
Pierce sighed. “We have a possible runaway? Did the note hint at suicidal intent?”
The idea hadn’t even occurred to me. “No. I mean, I don’t think so.” Tears instantly filtered into my eyes. “We don’t know why she took off, Pierce. We have no idea.”
“All right.” More movement sounded across the line. “I’ll call in a BOLO and head into the office. Text me a current picture of her and meet me there, okay?” He sounded gentler than normal, as if he understood that my mental state was rapidly sliding into pure panic.
“Okay. A lot of people searched tonight, but we have no idea where else to look,” I said in a rush.
He sighed. “You were a teenager once, I assume. Where would you go?”
I would’ve gone to one of my aunt’s or uncle’s homes, but we already searched everywhere familiar for Violet. “You’re right. Let me talk to Aunt Yara again and see if anything comes to mind. Then I’ll meet you at the station to fill out any paperwork.” This would mess with the adoption proceedings, but right now, getting Violet home safely was all that mattered.
Pierce clicked off.
