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have and let me ask her? Talking to the police is only going to upset her more.”
    “I’m sorry. Investigations don’t work that way.”
    “They work however you say they work.”
    “Is there a problem in here?” This time the voice was Adam’s.
    “I don’t have one,” Lane said, his stare leveled at Hadley.
    “I’ll do my best not to upset your mother, Ms. O’Sullivan, but right now she’s our best hope for identifying the kidnapper quickly.”
    “I understand.”
    Only she didn’t. She didn’t understand any of this. She should be at the hospital with her mother. Lacy and Lila should be here with Matilda, playing with their toys or watching one of their favorite animated movies.
    This nightmare should not be happening.
    Lane let himself out and Adam helped himself to coffee. “Did Lane say something to upset you?”
    “Why do you ask?”
    “Your eyes were shooting daggers at him when I interrupted your conversation.”
    “I don’t like his attitude at times. I want to believe he’s doing everything he can to find Lacy and Lila, but he talks of rules and procedures. My girls’ lives are at stake and he can’t give an inch.”
    Adam walked over and sidled onto the stool next to hers. “I’m sure he’s aware of what you’re going through. I’ll wager the whole department is using every weapon in their arsenal to find Lacy and Lila. Missing kids are always top priority for the police.”
    “So you think I’m being unreasonable?”
    “Actually, I think you’re doing an amazing job of handling this.”
    “Well, you’re wrong. I’m crazy inside. I want to scream and kick and beat my fists against the wall.”
    “Go ahead if it helps. You can even use me for a punching bag.”
    “Careful what you offer.”
    “I always am.”
    And she’d never been careful enough. She downed the last few sips of her coffee and then slid the mug away. “I can’t just sit here and do nothing. I’m going to the hospital.”
    “Do you want company?”
    She wanted to shout no. She didn’t want to need him. The refusal wouldn’t come.
    “It’s up to you,” she said.
    “Then I’d like to tag along, but I have one question first.”
    “I’m sick of being interrogated. All I’ve done all morning is answer the same questions over and over as if they expect my answers to change.”
    “I need to ask anyway.”
    “Then get it over with.”
    “Where is the twins’ father?”

Chapter Three
    The silence lastedso long that Adam thought Hadley might not answer at all. He saw no reason why she’d object. Under the circumstances, it was a legitimate concern and required only a simple, direct response.
    Adam rephrased the question. “Is your husband on his way to Dallas?”
    “No.” Hadley picked up her mug, took it to the sink and held it under the spray. “He won’t be coming,” she said, without looking at Adam.
    The answer stunned him. “Why not?”
    “Does it matter?” She picked up a sponge and began to buff the impeccably clean and shining granite countertop. She worked strenuously, her fear and frustration fueling the task.
    He’d pushed too far. She was vulnerable, too emotionally fragile to be pushed on a subject she clearly didn’t want to talk about.
    He carried his cup to the sink. “Enough said. I was out of line in putting you on the spot.”
    “You didn’t, but why go into something that’s not relevant when the situation is already overwhelming?”
    “None of my business anyway. Let’s get out of here.”
    “I’ll get my handbag.”
    Adam couldn’t imagine any valid excuse for Hadley’s husband not getting here as fast as he could. Even if he and Hadley were having marital problems, no halfway decent father would ignore the plight of his missing daughters—unless...
    Unless the guy was involved in the crime.
    The detective had stressed that everyone was a suspect. Was there a chance he’d had the twins’ father in mind when he’d made that point? Could this abduction