“Thank you.” She handed River her phone with Elsie’s picture on it.
River spoke with the news crew and then returned to where Lydia waited.
“Why don’t you take that wet coat off? I have a blanket for you.”
She got into the front passenger side of the patrol car, holding the wet coat in her hands. River loaded Frankie into the kennel in back, reached for something on the floor of the back seat and then opened the driver’s-side door.
He handed her a blanket still in the plastic wrap. She opened it up and placed it around her shoulders. Though River only wore a dark green windbreaker, he didn’t appear to be affected by the rain. The windbreaker had a tan logo on the back that read COK9TF, the same as the woman River had called Lizzie. She wondered what it meant.
As they headed down the mountain, River radioed for more ground searchers and helicopters. He put the radio back into its slot. “I have some police business to take care of in town and then I’ll go back and help with the search. Text me so I have your phone number.”
She pulled out her phone, and he spoke his number.
A silence settled into the car. She could see the outskirts of Ridge up ahead.
River cleared his throat. “I have to ask. Is there anyone who would want to take your daughter?”
The question was like a spike being driven through her heart. “I have an ex-husband who wasn’t happy about me getting full custody of Elsie. But he’s in rehab right now.”
“Still, something we need to check out,” said River. “What’s the name of the rehab?”
“Second Chances, in Boulder. His name is Sloane Caldwell.”
“That boy said the woman was old with white hair. What about your ex’s parents?”
“They weren’t happy about me divorcing Sloane. They thought I should have hung in there. Sheryl’s hair isn’t white, though. It’s strawberry-blond. Whatever their feelings are toward me, they dote on Elsie.”
He nodded. “I’m just trying to think of every angle.”
“It can’t be them. I got a text from them yesterday saying they were headed to see their daughter in Grand Junction. She just had a baby.” She massaged her temple.
“Do you have any other relatives who might have white hair or a reason to take Elsie?”
She shook her head. “I have no other family. It’s just me and Elsie.”
His features softened. Was that compassion or pity she saw in his face?
Lydia’s mind raced. “Maybe it’s not personal. Maybe someone was on that mountain looking for the chance to take any child, watching and waiting for one of the children to be away from the group.” Even vocalizing the theory made her stomach tie in a knot.
“Like I said, all avenues have to be explored, but in these initial hours, our focus is on searching for your daughter.”
River turned onto Main Street. And then took a side street.
“My house is just a couple of blocks up this street and then take a right, 407 Weston.”
He rolled to a stop in front of her house. “I’ll walk you to your door. Ridge police will have to get a statement from you at some point.”
They stood on her front steps, facing each other. “My daughter is alive and we’re going to find her.” Her voice lacked conviction.
River nodded. “I’m concerned about your safety because you were pushed off that cliff. I’ll make sure the local police run a patrol past your house.”
“Do you really think someone will come after me again? I think they just needed to get me out of the way so they…so they—” Her throat went tight. “So they could get to Elsie.”
The reality that her daughter had been kidnapped was beginning to sink in. She just couldn’t fathom that her life was also in danger. The tears flowed and turned into body-shaking sobs.
River patted her arm and spoke softly. “The tears are understandable. This is a lot to carry.”
Overwhelmed with emotion, she fell against his chest, and he wrapped his arms around her. Though her actions had been impulsive, she relished the safety she felt in River’s arms. It had been a long time since she’d been held. Not that Sloane had shown her much affection even before the marriage exploded and she found herself alone.
