Deputies Carl Burns and Ricky Bolton are there, along with both of my parents. Sheriff Griffin holds a recent school photo of my Caroline. My knees buckle beneath me but Linc is there to catch me before I hit the floor.
“Anything?” Linc asks. Thankfully, because I don’t have the courage to.
My mother steps forward, her hand resting on my arm. “Not yet.”
“We’ll find her, Sylvie,” Sheriff Griffin says softly.
I try to find comfort in his words, but until I know she’s home and safe with me, there is nothing he can say that will ease my worried mind. “Do you know anyone who would want to take Caroline?”
Since my mother’s phone call, I’ve rolled the very same question over in my mind at least a dozen times, and there’s not a single soul I can think of that would do this.
“No,” I whisper.
“Can you think of anyone who has a vendetta against you? Have you had a falling out with anyone at work? Or perhaps Dean had enemies you were unaware of.”
The moment he mentions Dean I sag in Linc’s embrace. “Dani.”
My mother gasps and Linc tenses. Why the hell didn’t I think about her before? Would she actually take Caroline? I know she wouldn’t hurt her, but would she take her just to hurt me?
“Dean’s sister?” the sheriff questions.
“Yes.” I swallow hard, trying to find the words to speak instead of falling apart. I can’t believe this is happening. “We…we got into an argument recently when she came to visit Caroline. She was upset…about Linc and I being together, and that I won’t let her be alone with Caroline, but I don’t think she would hurt her.”
He nods to Deputy Bolton and he steps out of the room with his radio close to his mouth.
“We’ll check her last known address then go from there. I think you should go home and wait there. I’ll keep you posted, but just in case she comes home, someone needs to be there.”
“No.” I shake my head frantically. “I can’t leave. I need to be here. I need to know what’s happening.”
Linc pulls me against his chest. “There’s nothing you can do here, baby. The sheriff’s right. Let’s go home in case she shows up there.”
I nod, burying my face in his chest, praying nothing happens to my little girl.
