The Girl Who Disappeared Twice Read Online Free PDF Page A

Oreo’s gone.”
    His gaze snapped back to the bed. “Are you sure?”
    “Positive. He and his blanket are both missing. The kidnapper must have come specifically to get them.”
    “Dammit.” With a hard swallow, Edward turned to explain to Krauss. “Oreo is my daughter’s stuffed bear.”
    “Panda,” Hope corrected.
    “Panda. She drags him all over the house. The only time she puts him down is when she goes to school. Then, she covers him with a little blanket. It’s…” He paused to think.
    “Lavender fleece,” Hope supplied. “It came with one of her dolls. She gave it to Oreo. She said she was afraid he’d get cold when she went to school and wasn’t there to hug him, so she tucked him in every day…on her bed….” With that, Hope finally, completely broke down. She bowed her head, her shoulders shaking with sobs.
    Edward touched his wife’s shoulder, but she backed away, wrapping her arms around herself in a determined attempt to withstand this emotional ordeal on her own. Still weeping, she drew inward, seeking comfort where none existed.
    It was like reliving a nightmare. Only worse. Now she was grown. And now the victim was her child, her precious little girl.
    Officer Krauss was scribbling notes onto a pad. “You’re sure the bear was here when Krissy left for school?”
    “Positive,” Hope managed. “I saw him when I came in to get Krissy’s jacket. She was already waiting for me at the front door. We were running late. I took her directly to school. She never went back upstairs.”
    “Which means she never reentered her bedroom.” Krauss double-checked the bedroom windows. “As I said earlier, no sign of forced entry.” He was already heading for the door. “My men and I will recheck the security system and every door and window in the house. Then, I’ll need those personal items and information we talked about.”
    There was a long silence when Hope and Edward were alone.
    “The FBI should be here any minute,” he said at last.
    “I’m sure they will. They’ll set up Command Central, waiting for a ransom call, while they grill us. They’ll start with our relationship, since we’re Krissy’s parents and the primary suspects. Then, they’ll move on to every human being who holds a grudge against us—which will take days, given our careers. Meanwhile, Krissy’s out there somewhere. Scared. Alone. And God knows what else.” Hope’s hand was shaking as she whipped out her cell phone. “So, yes, I’m glad we have the police and the FBI on board. But it’s not enough.” She punched in directory assistance.
    “Who are you calling?”
    “Forensic Instincts.”
    Edward blinked. “The profilers?”
    “Yes,” Hope confirmed. “You know their track record. It’s unbelievable. Five cases. Five successes. They find criminals. Serial killers. Rapists. And kidnappers. They’re on the fast track. And they don’t have a dozen other cases they have to work at the same time.”
    A scowl. “We should check with the FBI first. What if the involvement of an independent organization puts Krissy in more danger?”
    “It won’t.” Hope was talking so fast she was tripping on her words. “I’ve followed their work. They know just how to handle things. Your friends at the FBI might not like it, but I don’t give a damn.” A hard look at Edward as her index finger hovered over the send button. “I’ve been through this nightmare before. I’m not losing Krissy.”
    “I know what you went through. But you can’t compare the two traumas. It’s over three decades. Law enforcement’s capabilities have grown by leaps and bounds.”
    “I don’t care. I can’t survive this again. Especially not when it comes to my daughter.”
    “I understand. But—”
    “Look, Edward, three decades ago or not, some things haven’t changed. Like the fact that an investigation can remain active for only so long. The last time the case went cold after two years. I’m not chancing that