Baltimore 03 - Did You Miss Me?

would pass out. When I asked what happened, she said that the night the sheriff brought her home, everyone was gathered together, like today, and that it was one of those times when the “bad guy didn’t pay”. She and Simone talked about it without really talking about it, if you know what I mean. It was damn eerie.’
    Joseph’s head was spinning as reaction slammed him from multiple directions.
    First and foremost was helpless fury. Daphne was abducted . The very thought made him sick. That she’d reacted so violently to the reminder of her homecoming made him even sicker. Someone hurt her . My God . She was only eight years old .
    The man in him wanted to hit something. Someone. Goddammit .
    But the cop in him kept his cool. She’d been abducted and then her son was abducted, too? What were the odds of those events being independently random? Probably less than being struck by lightning. The two events were somehow connected. He could feel it. But how? And why?
    Finally, the victim in him could only blink. She’d been abducted, too? Really? Just  . . .  wow . He’d known from the moment he met her that she was the one. She’d drawn him like a lodestone. Was this why? Had he sensed this?
    Roughly he cleared his throat. ‘We’ll look into it, Hector. You and Kate keep talking to Daphne and her mother. See what else you can find. We need more data.’
    ‘Will do,’ Hector said. ‘Also, she’s had two visitors, both old friends. One was her ex’s security head and Daphne’s former bodyguard – name’s Hal Lynch. The other was Scott Cooper. He helps take care of her horses and trains her son, who competes in show jumping. Both of them have been father figures to Ford.’
    Joseph noted the names in case they needed a look at Ford’s childhood from a male point of view. He distrusted both men on principle, but that was the male in him talking. ‘If the father figures visited, what about Ford’s father? Has he been in contact?’
    ‘Well . . .’ Hector hesitated. ‘Ford’s father is Travis Elkhart. He’s a judge. The family is seriously wealthy. Like snooty butler wealthy. Elkhart and his mother were quick to blame her for Ford’s abduction. So far they’ve made no attempt to contact her here.’
    Joseph had to fight the urge to grind his teeth. Blaming her. As if she hasn’t been through enough . ‘ We’ll send a tech to their residence to monitor any incoming calls, just in case this really is about money and they get a ransom demand. If there’s nothing else, we’re adjourned. I’ve got a date with the Millhouses.’
    Tuesday, December 3, 3.05 P.M.
    Daphne inhaled deeply as she left her room. Mama’s baking cinnamon buns . Her mama always cooked when she was upset. From the sound of it, most everyone had gathered in the kitchen.
    Everyone except the two agents in her dining room waiting for a ransom call and the two cops patrolling her property. And Clay.
    He stood at her front window, staring out at the gray sky, his handsome face completely expressionless. Daphne worried about him on the best of days.
    Today she’d worry about him more than usual. Because then she wouldn’t be thinking about Ford out in this weather. The forecasters were calling for a bitterly cold night. He’ll freeze to death . And  . . .  I’m not thinking about that . I’m worrying about Clay .
    ‘I’d have to say as days go, this one has sucked,’ she said. ‘Epically.’
    ‘I’d have to say I agree,’ Clay replied evenly, not looking at her.
    She tugged at the sleeve of the black T-shirt he wore. ‘You join up after lunch?’
    He looked down at the big BPD in block letters on his chest, then shrugged. ‘JD had it in his car. I ripped mine.’
    ‘Making bandages and a tourniquet for Stevie. I saw. Is she out of surgery yet?’
    ‘No.’ A muscle ticked in his cheek. ‘And it’s been way too long.’
    She chanced touching his arm. He flinched, but didn’t pull away so she kept her hand there, gentling him. ‘If it was bad news, we’d know. You probably saved her life. She would have bled out if you hadn’t helped her.’
    Clay said nothing for a long moment. ‘Her name is Kimberly MacGregor.’
    ‘Ford’s girlfriend? I know. He told me about her.’ She rubbed her temple. Her headache was worse. I should have let Paige do that pressure poking thing .
    ‘I don’t think he told you nearly enough.’
    ‘Clay, I don’t have the energy for puzzles. Whatever you have to say,