Lydia rose from the sofa and peered over River’s shoulder. She was standing close enough that River could smell her floral perfume.
“Eva, thank you for doing this. Norm had some bumper stickers on the back of the car that I would recognize if I saw them,” she said.
“I can send photos of the three cars that came up. I think I can isolate an image of the back of each car. It’s taken from a distance, so it won’t be the highest quality when I blow it up.”
“One of the bumper stickers had distinctive neon colors,” said Lydia. “Even if it was blurry, I would be able to recognize it.”
“Okay. I’ll send the images to River’s phone. I got to get back to work. Lydia, we’re all praying for Elsie’s safe return.”
“Thank you. I appreciate all that everyone has done.”
“Take care. I’ll get those to you as fast as I can.” Eva waved goodbye and then disappeared from the screen.
Lydia sat in the chair kitty-corner from River. She stared off into the distance. “I guess we just wait now.”
“I’m sure Eva will get it done as fast as she can.”
“I don’t think it’s them. Fine, they think they could do a better job raising Elsie, but to kill me? That doesn’t make any sense.”
“Okay, so who else would want to kill you?”
“I don’t know.” Her eyes glazed with tears as she placed her hand on her mouth and shook her head. “I just don’t know.” She rose and ambled into the kitchen. “Do you want more coffee?” Her voice sounded brittle and tired.
He stared into his half-empty coffee cup. “I’m good.”
She fussed around in the kitchen, poured herself a cup of coffee and sat back down in the living room.
As if he were flipping through index cards, River mentally reviewed everything they’d learned since Elsie had been kidnapped. The car that had been spotted on the dirt road had probably taken her away. Was she even now somewhere in the city? He was still baffled by the way that Frankie had lost the scent. As if Elsie had been taken up into the air. Frankie hadn’t followed the scent out to the road where the car must have been parked, so maybe Elsie hadn’t been taken away in that car. The evidence was confusing.
His phone dinged that he had a text. “It’s Eva.”
Lydia pushed up from her seat and came toward him.
He read the text.
I sent the files to your computer.
River tensed as he placed his fingers on the keyboard. “Let’s have a look at those photos.”
FIFTEEN
Lydia’s stomach tightened as she sat down and scooted her chair closer to River’s computer. He clicked on the first file. The car was a lighter gray than Norm’s.
She shook her head.
He brought up the second image. Though not readable, two bumper stickers were visible. Lydia sat back in her chair as her heartbeat drummed in her ear. “That’s their car.” She rose and paced, wrapping her arms around herself. The numbness and the sensation that she was floating overtook her.
Her former in-laws had lied about where they’d been on the morning of Elsie’s disappearance.
River rushed to her side and led her over to the couch. He sat beside her, close enough that their shoulders were touching.
Just having him close helped calm her churning emotions and racing thoughts.
Frankie rose where she’d been sleeping and trotted over to Lydia’s side, nudging her hand.
Lydia’s mind was spinning. Norm had come to her house to feign support for her, knowing that Elsie was with Sheryl. That’s why he’d made up the story about Sheryl being too upset to visit. One of them needed to stay with Elsie. Her mother’s distress had meant nothing to him. It had all been an act to make them look innocent. They were not the people she thought they were. She rested her hand against her forehead. “I still don’t think Norm is the one who attacked me all those times.”
“Could be that he hired someone.” River let out a heavy breath. “We need to talk to Sloane and find out what he knows. If the rehab place still says he can’t talk to people outside the facility, Emmett can see to it that we get a court order.”
