Page 56 of Deadly Scandals

Ashley

Oh, God! Oh, no!

The sight of Sienna’s hair splayed on the cold tile floor in the bathroom was too much to bear. But I couldn’t look away. I focused on her wavy locks, and immediately my mind went to that dark place that I had inhabited since my sister was taken. I could feel the fear that Sienna must’ve felt when she had been sheared like a sheep.

I wiped the tears away from my eyes.

I needed to be strong for Mitch.

Mitch let out a primal scream, and I held on to him tighter than I ever had before.

My head began to pound. Please tell me this was a nightmare.

No. This was real. This was so real and intense. A real-life horror film.

Sienna was gone

Her hair was cut by a savage, mostly like to disguise her and lead her out of the park. Perhaps they dressed her as a boy and walked right by the policemen. Or even Mitch himself.

And then what would they do to her?

And why?

The first things that came to my mind were the most awful thoughts—thoughts I’d had about my sister daily.

Some sicko could have abducted Sienna for some type of child sex ring.

I kissed Mitch’s cheek. “Mitch, I’m so sorry.”

That was all I could say—pathetic. Over and over again, I’m sorry. My words were of little solace to this broken man.

Grant looked Mitch dead in the eye.

“We will find her. We have the best minds on this. I won’t let you down. You came through for me with Julián. I give you my word. I will take leave and do anything to help you.”

But our words were worthless. And both Grant and I knew it.

Mitch didn’t even speak. He just stood there, staring at his daughter’s hair and rocking back and forth like some crazy man. Which he no doubt was.

“Mr. Martinez, come with me.”

Mitch gave me a pained look. “I’ll call you when I’m done.”

“Okay. We will be with Sam.”

He nodded and walked away like a zombie.

Grant and I hustled out of the bathroom. I was speechless. Lost. And no doubt he felt the same way.

We were also alone together for the first time since the Cruz case had ended.

I garnered the strength to speak. “Grant, I—”

He shook his head. “Look, Ash. I know what you think of Mia, but we all need to sit down and just get on the same page so we can work together to help Mitch. Let’s hash it out—everything out in the open. All your suspicions front and center so we can move forward to find Sienna.”

I nodded rapidly. “I agree.” He eyed me. “No, really. I’m done. Sienna…she changed me. I only knew her for a few days, but I felt a connection to her.”

Which was ridiculous—I never felt connections to children.