Page 38 of Veil of Silence

“Preston!” Shelby’s voice carried from somewhere behind the house. “Preston!”

Nora’s stomach dropped. She left the bag in the car and hurried toward the door.

A deputy came around the side of the house just as Shelby appeared from the backyard wearing leggings, a sweatshirt, and no shoes. Her hair was pulled into a messy knot, and her face was blotchy from crying.

“Nora!” She darted toward her. “He’s gone. Preston’s gone!”

Nora caught Shelby by the arms before she could stumble. “What do you mean, gone?”

“I can’t find him. I’ve looked everywhere.”

“Okay.” Nora forced her voice to stay calm even though her insides had already begun to quiver. “Tell me what happened.”

Shelby squeezed her eyes shut and pressed both hands to her temples. “I don’t know! I put Preston to bed last night. He was there—I checked on him before I went to sleep. This morning, his room was empty.”

The deputy stepped closer. He looked to be in his late twenties, lean and clean-cut, with short brown hair. The nameplate above his pocket read CROSS.

“Ma’am, we’re still searching the property.”

“I know.” Shelby turned toward him, fire in her gaze. “But he’s not here. I already told you that.”

Nora kept one hand on Shelby’s arm. “What time did you last see him?”

She sniffled. “Around eleven. Maybe a little before.”

“And what time did you realize he was missing?”

“Seven-thirty.” Shelby pressed both hands to her face. “His bed was empty. The back door was unlocked.”

Nora glanced at the house. Her thoughts immediately went to the conversation she and Shelby had yesterday about Preston’s dad.

Shelby seemed to read her mind. “Mikey took him. I just know it!”

Nora narrowed her eyes, trying to remain even-keeled. “You know that?”

“Who else would do this?”

The deputy’s expression tightened slightly, but he didn’t interrupt.

Shelby swiped at her cheeks with the sleeves of her shirt. “He’s been threatening this for a while. He’s finally carried through with it!”

“Have you called Mikey?” Nora continued to squeeze Shelby’s arm, trying to keep her steady.

“Over and over. He won’t answer.”

Deputy Cross finally spoke. “We’ve sent a deputy to his residence. We’re also checking the garage where he works.”

Shelby turned toward Deputy Cross. “He won’t be there.”

“You don’t know that yet.” Cross’s voice remained professional and calm—just as it should.

“I do!”

Nora understood Shelby’s certainty. Yesterday, she’d told Shelby that fear could turn possibilities into facts. But fear felt different when a child was actually missing.

Too different.

Bad memories crowded in before Nora could stop them. Christian at seven. Christian gone. Her mother crying until she could barely breathe.