He asked her about other aspects of her life. The church she attended, the gym she worked out at. His thoughts returned again to Lydia’s angry ex-husband. “Do you think he might have sent someone to take Elsie?”
She nodded. “Yes, maybe. Sloane is an angry man who never takes responsibility for his actions. Right before he went into rehab, he was served the papers that said I got sole custody. He knew it was going to happen, but getting the papers probably made it more real and could have pushed him over the edge.”
He’d have to call Second Chances again to see if any of the other patients had gone AWOL.
His phone rang. One of the Ridge officers. The attacker had not been found. He ended the call. “I think it’s best I stay here with you tonight.”
She rose to her feet. “I’ll get you a pillow and a blanket.”
After handing River the bedding, Lydia retreated to her bedroom.
He walked the perimeter of the house with Frankie, searching the trees that connected with her backyard. He stared at the dark forest for a long moment. Would the attacker come back again tonight? He retrieved some of Frankie’s food from the patrol car.
Once inside, he watched the street through Lydia’s front window while Frankie ate her meal. Satisfied that he didn’t see anything suspicious, he settled down on the sofa, placing his gun on the side table for easy access. Frankie lay on the floor beside the sofa.
If anyone tried to break in again, the Lab would sound the alarm. Even if Lydia was safe tonight, the one thing River was sure of was that the man who had tried to kill her twice would return.
FOUR
Lydia awoke to the sound of her phone ringing. She reached for it on her nightstand. Her first thought was that Elsie had been found.
She sat up in bed. Frankie sat at attention watching her. The dog must have wandered in through the open door.
She looked at the number. Her mother-in-law, Sheryl.
“Hello.”
“Oh, my heart, Lydia. We just saw on the news.”
In the chaos that followed Elsie’s disappearance, she had not thought to call the grandparents.
“I’m sorry. I should have phoned you,” said Lydia. Despite there being tension over Lydia divorcing their son, Norm and Sheryl were good grandparents and the only family support that Lydia had.
“No, I’m sure you had enough on your mind. Dear sweet Elsie. Both Norm and I are just beside ourselves. How could this happen?” Sheryl’s voice cracked.
How indeed. Sheryl Caldwell’s agitation did not have a calming effect on Lydia. The older woman was prone to over-the-top reactions anyway. “I don’t know.” Lydia felt the all too familiar tightening in her chest.
“You poor thing. Is anyone there with you, a friend perhaps?”
“There’s a police officer here with me, but I’m sure he needs to get back to work.”
“So, you’ll be alone. That’s what I thought. We’ve already left Grand Junction and are on our way over to be with you.”
“Oh, Sheryl. I appreciate that so much, but I’m sure Debbie could use the help as well.” Sloane’s sister had had a preemie baby recently who required lots of extra care. Lydia knew the couple had been staying with her.
“Nonsense. We’re on our way. We can go back to see Debbie another time.”
The gesture touched Lydia greatly. Most of her interaction with Norm and Sheryl was because of Elsie. Now they seemed concerned about her. Maybe they were letting go of their anger over her divorcing their son. “Thank you, Sheryl. I appreciate that.”
“You need family around at a time like this.” Sheryl let out a wavering breath, and her voice trembled as she added, “Who would do such a thing to that precious little girl?”
Sheryl’s heightened emotional response was stirring Lydia up. She closed her eyes and gripped the phone, barely able to get the words out. “I wish I knew.”
“We’ll get there as fast as we can. You take care of yourself.”
“Thank you, Sheryl. I appreciate you and Norm so much. I’ll call you if there’s any news on Elsie. I’m so sorry I didn’t keep you in the loop in the first place.”
They said their goodbyes and Lydia hit the disconnect button. Lydia looked down at Frankie, who had been watching her intently. “Did you come in to check on me?” She knelt and stroked Frankie’s ears. “What a good girl.”
