Page 54 of Deadly Scandals

“Wait here. I’ll be back.” He walked out of the room, with my phone, and shut the door.

Great. I was a prisoner in here.

I walked back over to Sam, who was now squirmy.

“Daddy, am I ever going to see Sienna again?”

Fuck. How did I answer that? I didn’t know. I had to believe the words I was saying. “Yes, buddy.”

Another hour passed, and my mind wouldn’t quit. It was pure torture. I’d rather be a prisoner of the Taliban than trapped in the hell of my mind imagining what was happening to my princess.

The officer finally came back.

“We have no updates, but please remain calm. Kids always get lost at Disneyland.”

“She’s not lost. She was kidnapped.”

“Sir, I’m sure she’s with a cast member. Lost children are led to City Hall. There are so many plain-clothes cast members. I’m sure one of them will find your daughter. You must stay positive.”

But I could never stay positive. As a SEAL, I was trained to see everyone as a threat. Including this man standing in front of me with a badge. Including each and every cast member.

“Can I go to City Hall?”

“Yes. I will escort you. The FBI should be here soon, and then I’ll take you to meet with them.”

I was escorted by this cop through Main Street, clutching Sam’s hand. Seeing happy families and little girls in princess dresses were like a knife to the heart.

How could this be happening to me?

I scanned every little girl’s face for Sienna’s. But she was nowhere to be found.

I arrived at City Hall, and there was still no sign of her. Just judgemental looks from employees.

After the longest two hours of my life, I finally got a text

Ashley: I’m here.

Me: Thank God. I’m at City Hall

Twenty minutes later, Ashley burst into the door with Grant and Mia beside her. Grant and Mia both hugged me, and Mia went over to Sam.

Ashley kissed me.

“I’m so sorry, Mitch. This is all my fault. I should’ve told my supervisor no—I should’ve never left you alone with the kids.”

“No, babe. This isn’t your fault, and as much as I wanted to blame myself, it wasn’t my fault either. She was right there with all the other kids. And then—she was gone.”

She placed her hand on my face. “Any leads?”

“None.”

Then I noticed a policeman speaking to another officer. They looked at me and then came over. But they didn’t look happy.

“Sir, come with me.”

“What is it?”

“What was Sienna wearing?”