“So, the children are missing. Where were they taken from?”
“Here in Key West. We assume the motel where she was staying. We got an ID off the morgue photo sent to the hospitality list. When we looked at the room there was no sign of the kids, but we found a diaper and an action toy. The baby is only three months old. That’s all I know.”
“Okay.” Sloan’s face was tense. “Well, it’s perfectly legal for you to get help. You of course can’t get personally involved. But you can confer with them.”
“I understand that. You got any ideas? I’m not sure I’m thinking clearly yet. I might still be in shock from all this.”
Sloan took a long drink of his coffee. “Let me talk to my dad. He was a fugitive recovery agent, a finder of lost people. People who don’t want to be found. He may be just the kind of person we need. How much do you know about your daughter’s situation?”
“Not much.” He laughed to himself. “Really nothing more than I told you. I called her once, but she wouldn’t talk to me. I assumed I was facing years of brainwashing by my ex-wife. Maybe Alex could talk to her husband. He’s here in Key West to identify the body.”
“Alex is working at the moment, but I’ll get a hold of him as soon as he’s off work and get back to you. I’m pretty sure he’ll give it a shot,” Sloan said. “He’s been looking for something to break the routine.”
“Thanks, Sloan. I gotta go talk to the Chief.”
“Ask for bereavement leave. We’ll talk soon. Hang in there. You have lots of friends in this town and we’ll do everything we can for you.”
* * *
Harris caught a ride back to the station from an officer. He rode the elevator up to the Chief’s office. He knocked on the door and was told to enter.
“Harris. I heard about your surprise. How are you holding up?”
“I was completely blindsided, Chief. I didn’t see it coming…I didn’t know my own daughter. It’s all very disturbing.”
“I’m sorry, Harris, have a seat. Sharkey was up here a little while ago and told me the whole story. It’s not your fault. You must believe that it’s a tragedy that no one could have imagined. I hope you know that we have every man available working on it. We will find those kids and your daughter’s murderer.”
Harris nodded. “I know I can’t be involved, and I don’t think I can concentrate on anything else right now. I’d like to take bereavement leave.”
“Take all the time you need. I’ll approve your leave.”
“Thanks, Chief.”
“Sharkey mentioned that your ex-wife is not being very cooperative.”
“She has a real hate on for me. Been that way for years.” He laughed to himself again. “Once she was so lovely. Not sure what I did to turn that around. She has her son-in-law to help her deal with it.”
“Just a random thought to consider. People change. It’s not always you. I understand that you have a lovely lady in your life to help you through this.”
“Yeah, she’s actually gonna marry me, if all this doesn’t screw things up.”
“Don’t let it. Lean on her.”
“I will. Thanks, Chief. I’ll be in touch.”
“Anything I can do. Just let me know.”
Harris nodded and left.
* * *
Carl Abbott and Stephanie Williams headed for the Hyatt restaurant for dinner.
“I just can’t believe how horrible that detective was to me. Burt must have rubbed off on him.”
“You and Susan really hate him.”
“He deserted us. I was forced to find a new husband. That’s not an easy thing when you have a kid. Even a lovely kid.” Her eyes puddled up. “Now that he’s left me, I have no one.”
“That’s rough,” Carl said, with just a hint of sarcasm.
“I can’t imagine why Susan wanted a separation. You’re such a good husband. I know it broke your heart. She was such a wild child.”
“Let’s try to concentrate on finding the kids.”
“That foreigner’s kid is just a baby. Only three months old, for heaven sakes. Do you think he took both kids home with him?” Stephanie asked.
“He better not take my kid out of the country. I have to find him.”
“Susan wouldn’t let him do that. She would die first. That would mean he must have killed Susan…”
“That was my thought too,” said Carl. “He might well have. Don’t know anyone else who would have. They all have tempers, you know.”
The waitress appeared and asked if they were ready to order.
“I’ll have the salmon and steak,” Stephanie said. “I need something to keep my strength up. And a martini with an olive. My nerves are at the limit. A couple of those will help me relax.”
Carl ordered the blackened fish.
“It’s been a stressful day. They’re going to go to Susan’s house to look around. Don’t know what they think they will find there,” Carl said.
“It’s routine. Maybe there are contact numbers, like Javier’s phone number, or an address.”
“Where’s her phone? She’s never without it. They didn’t mention that they found it. I’m meeting with Detective Sharkey tomorrow to officially identify the body.” Carl said.
“I want to go too,” Stephanie declared. “I have a right. I’m her mother. My poor baby.”
“I don’t see why they would object.”
The food came. “I’m famished,” Stephanie said. “All of a sudden I realize that it’s been hours since I last ate, except for the little
