I do as Roger suggested. I phone Noah and fill him in on the conversation.
“We’ve questioned her,” Noah tells me as my flight’s boarding announcement is made. “Her name is Krista Danes. She has an alibi and is clearly distraught that Peony is missing. We fingerprinted her, but she has no criminal record or red flags indicating she’s linked to what happened.”
“So why the name change?”
“She claimed she wanted nothing to do with her old name. Her father was abusive and she wanted to cut all links to him.”
“And that included her name.” My muttered words are for my ears alone. It makes sense now—the reason Kenda hired Athena. Kenda was the type of person who would hire and protect someone who needed saving from an abusive father.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.We’re still no closer to figuring out what’s going on.
The Maple Ridge police are no closer to finding my daughter and the woman I love.
I rub the spot over my heart again. The ache in my chest isn’t a heart attack. It’s something more serious. More painful. It’s the gnawing fear, the sharp edge of grief, that if they aren’t found soon, it will be too late.
And my reasons for breathing will be gone.
54
GARRETT
It’s shortlyafter ten thirty in the evening by the time I walk into Eugene airport baggage claim. Lucas and Troy are waiting to one side of the carousel. The usual life in their eyes has been sapped; their mouths are a deflated line.
Something paralyzing shoots through my body, stalling my breath, my heart, my will to keep moving. I wasn’t expecting my brothers to be here.
Shrieks of joy and well-wishes and laughter surround us from other passengers and their loved ones. A reminder that while my brothers and I are stuck in a well of grief, life goes on.
“Any word yet?” The question stumbles out of my suddenly dry mouth.
They shake their heads, and a tiny bit more air eases into my lungs. At least they’re not handing me bad news. But even knowing that, hope fails to flare to life inside me. The emotion is little more than an ember, not ready to burn out just yet. It needs a lot more tinder before it can flourish.
Before I can fully breathe again.
I one-arm hug my brothers, the action saying more than words can right now. We’re there for each other, pillars of strength against the growing storm.
Even so, their wan faces warn they’re clearly emotionally exhausted.
I’m exhausted. Drained-beyond-belief exhausted.
But I won’t be getting any sleep tonight. Or tomorrow night.
Sleep won’t be possible until Peony and Zara are safe and home again. Until they’re in my arms once more.
“What are you two doing here?” They knew I drove to the airport. My Explorer is in the airport parking lot.
“We figured it would be better if you didn’t drive.” Lucas adopts his big-brother tone. His take-charge tone. “Noah is at your house and will update you on everything once we get there.”
“Does he have any idea where they are?” That’s the only update I need. That, and to find out who killed one of my closest friends and has the two most important people in my life.
Whoever did it…I want to see them destroyed. Burned to the ground.
“No. Not yet.”
Troy and Lucas aren’t the only ones waiting for me in baggage claim. Airport security has corralled a gaggle of reporters to one side. Questions are shouted, the raised voices little more than annoying static.
We walk past, my focus tunnel-visioned on the terminal exit. I’ve gotta get out of here before I lose it. Before reporters witness, firsthand, just how well I’m surviving.
“Any idea why Emily was at my house?” I ask Lucas once he and I are on the highway to Maple Ridge. Fields pass in a dark blur as I stare out the passenger window.
