Page 66 of Protecting his Heart

“So no arguments?” Owen asked.

“No, none. Like I said, she was happy and laughing.”

“Did she mention anything about upsets at school or with her mother?”

Edward shook his head. “Nothing.”

“Has she ever disappeared before?”

“No.”

“Been somewhere she wasn’t supposed to be? Or lied to you about her whereabouts?” Owen asked.

Edward started shaking his head and paused. “Only once that I’m aware of. She said she was going to Gemma’s house—Gemma’s her best friend—but the pair of them actually went to another friend’s house. That was when we told her we wanted her to be truthful about where she was.”

“When did you find out about that lie?”

“That same night. She was supposed to stay at Gemma’s house, but she came home instead and told us where she’d been. That friend had alcohol, and Anika hadn’t liked the idea of it but felt pressured to try some. But then she came right home and told us what happened.”

“Is she still friends with that person?”

“Not that I’m aware of.”

Owen pulled out his phone. “We’re going to need their details as well please.”

Edward nodded. “Of course.” He gave Owen the details, including a phone number he had for the girl’s parents.

Evan took over the questioning because he needed to ask something Edward might not have thought about. He shuffled to the edge of his seat. “Edward, have you had any problems or arguments recently? Maybe a patient or a patient’s family? Other hospital staff? Anything you can think of?”

“Not that I can think of. We get the usual upset when things don’t go the way patients want them to, but mostly, no.”

“There’s no one you can think of who might hold a grudge against you?”

Edward stared at him, and Evan could see him thinking through his interactions. “I honestly can’t think of anyone.”

“And no one has approached you outside of work for any reason?”

Edward looked dazed but shook his head. “No,” he murmured.

Roger and Rebecca returned, and Roger said, “I’m going to check around outside.”

Owen and Evan quickly went through similar questions with Rebecca, to no avail. From what they said, there was no reason for Anika to have disappeared on her own, and no one could remember anything that might point to someone kidnapping her.

“Okay. The police will visit shortly. They’ll probably ask the same questions we did, and I’m sorry about that, but the more times you talk it over, the more chances there are that you might remember something important,” Owen said.

“It’s fine. As long as it helps find her,” Edward said.

“We’ll be in touch if we learn anything new,” Evan said, standing.

Edward rose and held out his hand. “Thank you, Evan. I appreciate this, especially as you didn’t have to help.”

Evan gave a small smile. “No problem.”

They headed outside and leaned against the car as they waited for Roger to finish his job.

“What do you think?” Evan asked.

Owen blew out a breath. “To be honest, there’s nothing here. We’ve not got anything to go on unless Roger finds something.”

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