Page 54 of Not Our Daughter

“I don’t know any Joel,” Jade said. “But it’s really me. I promise.”

Hailey again put her hands to her mouth. “You do look so much like my sister.” Then her eyes grew wet. She reached out with both hands, immediately grabbed Jade, and pulled her in for a hug. It felt weird to hug a stranger, but Jade didn’t fight it.

“I can’t believe this,” Hailey said, stepping back, tears rolling down her face. “But how’re you standing here right now? I’ve been watching the news. I saw where you’d been found with those horrible people in Colorado.”

“Because those people are here with me.”

Hailey’s mouth dropped. “What?”

Jade spoke quickly so Hailey wouldn’t panic. “They’re not horrible people. They did not kill my mother—your sister. Someone else didthat night. And they only took me to keep me safe from the same dangerous people.”

Hailey frowned. “They’ve brainwashed you.”

“No, I promise you that’s not true. Someone has been trying to kill us while we’ve been running from the FBI the past two days. That’s why we’re back here in Austin. I need you to talk to them. Because we believe it’s the same person who killed my mother. And if we don’t figure it out, he could kill me next.”

Hailey’s eyes narrowed. “Do you know how crazy this all sounds? I should ... I should probably call the cops or something.”

“No, please don’t. If you ever cared about me, you won’t do that.”

Hailey swallowed, her eyes growing wet again. “I did care about you. So much. I was heartbroken when they took you. I just ... I can’t believe this. Look at you. You’re beautiful.”

“Well, I have a chance to be back in your life now. If you’ll help us.”

Hailey took a deep breath, let it out slowly. “Where are they?”

“In the parking lot up the hill.”

She glanced up the hill, bit her bottom lip. “Okay, give me a sec. Let me get someone to cover for me.”

Forty-One

Cole had parked the Ford Explorer in the very back of the lot, where they could easily see everyone who approached from the restaurant down the hill. Lisa was sitting in the passenger seat. He held her hand, trying to keep her calm. It didn’t seem to be working. With each passing second without seeing their daughter return, Lisa gripped his hand tighter. It felt like she was cutting off the blood circulation.

“Should I text her again?” Lisa said.

“No, give her more time.”

Lisa huffed. “It’s been too long already. We should’ve never allowed her to do this.”

“It’s only been fifteen minutes, Lisa. Be patient.”

She looked over and frowned hard at him. “It’s impossible to be patient when our whole world is down there by herself somewhere. The police could literally be coming at any moment and taking her away from us. If that happens, I’ll never forgive myself. I’ll fall completely apart. They might as well lock me away in the psych ward.”

“No one is locking you away. Because here she comes.”

They both perked up, stared through the windshield. Jade appeared first and was then followed closely behind by Hailey McGee. No one else was with them.

“She did it,” Cole said.

“Thank you, Lord,” Lisa whispered.

They both got out of the vehicle, circled around to the front, and stood there waiting. They wanted to look as disarming as possible. Jade kept walking toward them, but Hailey paused about ten feet away. She stared at them both for a good long moment. Her face grew pale, as if she were looking at ghosts. Lisa quickly pulled Jade into her safe arms, hugging her tightly. Jade handed him back his phone. He took a step toward Hailey.

“Thank you for coming,” Cole said in his warmest voice. “I’m sure this is weird, and probably a little scary.”

“Horrifyingis more like it,” Hailey replied. “The two of you have been the focal point of my nightmares for years.”

“I’m sorry,” Cole said. “I’m not sure what all Jade told you—”

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