The Girl Who Disappeared Twice (Forensic Instincts 1)

“Not yet.” Casey was already calling Hutch on speed dial. “Racing off without a strategy will only increase the time it takes to find Felicity and Krissy. We need to get organized. Then we’ll act.”

“Casey?” Hutch answered.

“It’s New Hamburg. Hero picked up her scent in the tunnel and on the platform. Marc is sure. And if he’s sure, then I’m sure.”

“We’re on our way.”

Felicity’s heart was pounding so hard she thought it might burst out of her chest. Her legs ached. Her throat was sore from shouting Krissy’s name.

Tears filled her eyes, trickled down her cheeks. Oh, Krissy…Krissy, my baby, where are you?

She stopped running long enough to push her hair off her face and peer around. Her face was scratched and bleeding from the branches she’d shoved out of her way. How long a stretch of woods had she covered? It all looked the same. Dirt. Rocks. Trees.

But no Krissy.

Oh, Krissy, why did you run away? I told you I’d keep you safe. I told you we’d find a new home, that I’d build you a new princess suite. What were you so afraid of that made you run?

I did everything right. I know I did everything right. Mama said I did everything right.

But it’s my fault. Mama kept the world away. She kept me safe.

I couldn’t do that for you, Krissy. The world wouldn’t leave us alone. Those horrible FBI people won’t go away. They gave up when it came to me. Why won’t they give up when it comes to you? Why won’t they understand that you’re happy? That we’re both happy? That you’re where you belong?

You saw me be afraid. That’s why you ran. It scared you. Mothers are supposed to hide their fear. To control themselves. To be in charge. To be strong.

I didn’t do that. I was weak.

It won’t happen again.

Please, Krissy, let me help you. I’ll make it better. I’ll take you away. Mama will understand. She knows what you need. You need me. Only me.

But I can’t find you. I have to find you.

Mama’s leaving me. You’re all I have. You’re my whole world now.

And I let you down.

Gasping for breath, seized by panic, Felicity resumed tearing through the woods, zigzagging from tree to tree and shouting Krissy’s name.

Nothing answered back but the wind.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

The hamlet of New Hamburg was small.

Still, the surge of law enforcement officials spread out fast, intent on covering every square inch as rapidly as possible. They were fully aware that only a short time had passed since Felicity had arrived.

But a lot could happen in that brief interval.

Patrick joined the search party, going from house to house and street to street. Ryan joined them, but he was also glued to Hope Willis’s side as her appointed bodyguard and warden to make sure that she didn’t take off on her own and do something stupid.

Hope fought her confinement tooth and nail. But, in the end, she had no choice. She couldn’t outsmart Ryan, and she certainly couldn’t overpower him. And, if it was a choice between waiting in the van or not being nearby when they did find Krissy, there was no decision to make.

Casey teamed up with Marc, took Hero and began their search. Marc had the professional rescue skills, and Casey had the trailing experience with bloodhounds. As a human scent evidence dog, Hero was the most qualified of all. The three of them made a formidable team. And they were hell-bent on finding Krissy.

“Linda kept Felicity in a quiet house in the country,” Casey said as she and Marc let Hero guide them. “Felicity would want to replicate that environment as closely as possible.”

“That describes most of this hamlet,” Marc returned.