Lydia gasped for air. River kept hold of her until her body relaxed.
“Sorry.” Her voice grew soft as she narrowed her eyes at Gregory. “What have you done with my little girl?”
The man jutted his chin. “They told me what an unfit mother you were. Kid deserves better, just like my kid did.”
“It’s not true.” Tears streamed down Lydia’s face. “They lied.”
“I’m sure there was a big payday for you, too,” said River.
“So what if there was?” said Gregory.
River’s phone rang. Frankie sat at attention. Her butt lifted off the ground every time the suspect twitched. Fear came into Gregory’s eyes when he watched the dog. He wasn’t going anywhere with the yellow Lab standing guard.
With his eyes still on the suspect, River answered his phone, speaking in low tones.
Lydia’s hands balled into fists as she looked at the man who had tried to kill her more than once. “Where’s my daughter?”
Gregory turned his head and looked off to the side, his jaw taut.
As she stared at him, she prayed for self-control.
River addressed his comment to Lydia. “That was Lizzie. There was nothing at the property she and Autumn went to.” He stepped up to Gregory. “Is Elsie being kept at the cabin you’re selling on the other side of Ridge Mountain?” Maren and Eli must be partway there by now.
Gregory pressed his tongue to the inside of his cheek and raised his eyebrows in defiance.
Maternal anger coursed through Lydia.
“Have they already left the country?” Lydia could barely get the words out.
River stepped even closer to the suspect. “Look, I contacted a Ridge police officer who’s close. He’s going to come and take you into the police station, where we can question you all day and night.”
Tension knotted at the back of Lydia’s neck. They didn’t have that kind of time.
“Just tell us,” said Lydia.
River held up his hand, indicating she needed to stop, then he looked at Gregory. “You’re looking at several attempted murder charges. If you cooperate now, I’m sure the judge will keep that in mind when it comes to sentencing.”
Gregory pressed his lips together.
Lydia had to take a step back and turn away. She didn’t trust herself enough not to charge at him again. Her whole body was shaking.
“Probably going to be some kidnapping charges, too.”
“I had nothing to do with that. The old lady stayed with the kid while Norm drove the car away to make it look like they’d left the area.”
“You provided Sheryl and Elsie a place to hide. That makes you complicit.”
Gregory’s gaze darted around, as if he was considering what River had said.
Lydia gritted her teeth and closed her eyes. The man was going to jail no matter what. Why was he being so stubborn?
Up the road, the Ridge patrol vehicle came into sight.
River’s phone rang again. “Eli, what did you find?”
She watched as River listened to the response. His body language told her everything she needed to know. Elsie wasn’t at the cabin on Ridge Mountain.
Lydia prayed for peace that was beyond the strong emotions raging through her.
