Lizzie’s voice came through. “Nothing.”
“Thanks for your help.”
“No problem. I’ve got to get back into Ridge. I’m checking out the homes for unwed mothers to see if Gayle was seen at any of them.”
“And to figure out if the home itself was used to facilitate the illegal adoptions?”
“That’s one of the theories we’re working with anyway. Those babies had to be born somewhere. I’ll let you know if anything comes up. Emmett’s probably going to want to do a video call soon. We’ve got task force members in Denver trying to figure out which free clinic Gayle may have gone to.”
“Lots of channels of inquiry.” River let out a heavy breath. “Something’s got to turn up. Mia is out there somewhere.”
Lydia picked up on the frustration in River’s words. River struck her as a patient person. But two missing girls in separate cases and no progress on either was probably wearing on him.
Lizzie’s words were a reminder to Lydia that River had another case he needed to be working on.
River spoke into his radio. “Hopefully something will lead us to Mia’s whereabouts.”
“Hopefully,” came the other officer’s response.
River put the radio back in its slot and drove toward the paved road.
“I know you have to get back to work on the task force investigation.”
“Only if I can get an officer to watch my place. I’m not leaving you alone, Lydia.”
They drove back into town to his house. River walked close to her, with Frankie on the other side of her, as they made their way up the walk.
Once they were at the door, River unlocked it. He squeezed her arm. “Stay just inside the doorway. Let Frankie and me clear the rooms before we go inside.”
River wasn’t taking any chances.
She turned and locked the door behind her while River and Frankie moved from room to room. Her phone rang. Sheryl. Lydia closed her eyes and pressed her palm against her chest. She dreaded having to give Elsie’s grandmother the news that Elsie still had not been found.
“Sheryl, hello.”
“I don’t even need to ask. Your voice tells me everything. Sweet Elsie.”
“She’s out there. I feel it in my bones,” said Lydia.
“How are you holding up?”
“Best as can be expected.”
“Where are you? Norm went by your house and it was locked up.”
She debated whether she should tell Sheryl about what had happened at her house. Sheryl’s over-the-top reaction to every crisis tended to feed her own fear rather than calm her down. “The police thought it would be best if I didn’t stay there.”
“Norm wanted to drop off a gift card for food delivery. I’m sure the last thing you’re thinking about is cooking. We want to help any way we can. Where are you at? He can bring them by for you.”
“I appreciate that, but I’m all right. I have lots of time to cook. I’m in a safe place.”
River came back into the room. Frankie trotted over to her, wagging her tail. “Mother Caldwell, I gotta go.”
“You take care. Thoughts and prayers and all that.”
“Thank you,” said Lydia.
River held his phone in his hand. “Look, I’ve got to do a video call for the illegal adoption case. The team is all over Colorado chasing down every lead. Something’s got to break here soon. Maybe Emmett has good news.”
