“Try regardless.”
“You want to offer a reward?” Warner reiterates.
“I’m willing to move beyond the playbook.” Hudson splays his palms. “I want results, and I want them fast. Time is running out for us all. Josh’s death was our last failure, understood?”
Mouth snapping shut, Warner reluctantly nods. “Yes, sir.”
“Very well. Let’s get this meeting done.”
Hudson turns around to take the lead into the conference room. I exchange a look with Warner before we enter, grateful for his arm squeeze, while Blaine follows behind us. His thumbs are already flying across his phone screen.
“Just say the word, Em,” Warner whispers to me. “You can leave the meeting.”
“I know. Thanks.”
“Deep breaths. You’ve got this.”
The conference room is relatively empty compared to recent large-scale team meetings. Hyland and Axel wait inside, both standing as silent sentries in each corner, stoically watching us enter.
Hudson’s blonde-haired brother, Kade, sits with a stack of paperwork opposite a couple. They’re huddled together with an untouched carafe of water between them, both quickly looking up at the sound of our arrival.
The fear-filled, blue gaze of a middle-aged man almost knocks me off my feet. He’s the spitting image of Gracie. In comparison, his wife’s bloodshot stare is flat and dull, though she does share the same dark hair as her daughter.
Warner pulls out a chair and gestures for me to sit. There’s a decent distance between me and the Livingstone’s. I’m grateful for it. I slide into the chair, thankful for the two men who position themselves behind me, one on each shoulder.
“Mr and Mrs Livingstone.” Hudson takes the seat beside his brother. “Thank you for coming in today.”
“Mr Knight.” Gracie’s father’s voice shakes. “Please call me Geoff.”
“And Sabrina,” his wife croaks.
Kade wears his best, PR-perfect smile as he stacks his paperwork. “As discussed on the phone, we’ve had an update in Gracie’s missing person’s case. We’re now in a position to confirm that our search will be focusing on Europe at this time.”
“You think she’s that close to home?” Sabrina squeaks.
“Perhaps. We intend to find out.”
“Has there been further contact?” Geoff gulps.
“No.” Kade shakes his head. “Our forensic intelligence team has analysed the images we received, and we feel confident to focus our efforts based on their observations.”
Geoff deflates like he had hoped for more. I try not to focus on the wave of guilt his reaction creates. We’re trying our best. But like him, I know how it feels to be desperate.
“We intend to use the full force of international law enforcement to distribute the new images of Gracie across multiple countries,” Hudson adds, mirroring his brother’s calm professionalism.
“You’re going to share those photos?” Gracie’s mum whimpers.
“Only the non-explicit ones, Mrs Livingstone,” Kade clarifies. “I appreciate this is difficult, but being able to provide an updated likeness of your daughter will help us to confirm any recent sightings.”
Both parents appear numb, wearing matching dazed expressions. After all these years, this development must be a lot to process. Particularly given the graphic nature of the images.
“This will reignite significant media attention on her case.” Kade looks between them. “Especially given Ember’s recent return. You can expect the national press to take an interest.”
“We handled their intrusion before.” Geoff clenches his wife’s hand hard enough to turn his knuckles white. “If it brings our daughter home, we will endure any amount of harassment. Do what needs to be done.”
“Please…” Sabrina’s sorrowful eyes are like an ice pick to my heart when she briefly meets my gaze. “Bring her home.”
“We will try our best, ma’am.” Kade nods respectfully.
