Page 45 of Little Child Gone

“You think they could be together?” Johnson asked. “Logan’s counselor is in a meeting, but I don’t think Logan would defy his parents like that. And his mother called in. She’s an accountant, works from home.”

Neena had already given her Logan’s address, but Nikki had been worried about Logan being a minor home alone when they showed up to talk to him.

Nikki and Miller both left their information with the counselor and Assistant Principal Jameson escorted them to the main entrance and promised to let them know if he learned anything more.

Northern wind made Nikki’s face feel like an ice block. Miller checked his phone and cursed. “Reynolds is still working on getting CCTV.”

“Let’s head to Logan’s then,” Nikki said. “I’m sure Neena has told him. And it sounds like his mom should be there. Surely Reynolds will have the footage by then.”

“Honestly, I’m not sure this kid didn’t just disappear for a while,” Miller said, starting his SUV. “Maybe he’s trying to punish his mother for something.”

“I don’t know. It doesn’t sound like he’d do that to his siblings,” Nikki reminded him. “But everyone has secrets.”

“The obvious suspect is Christy,” Miller said. “Maybe she did pick him up and they argued, and something happened.”

“Taylor’s taller than his mom,” Nikki said. “I don’t think she could physically overpower him.”

“But if she was driving, she could have had something in her hand and snapped,” Miller said. “Hits him harder than intended.”

Nikki couldn’t dismiss it outright. “Then Christy manages to drag him out of the vehicle and leave him somewhere?” The idea didn’t sit well with her. “At this point, I’d believe that Taylor ran off before Christy hurt him. And we don’t have enough for a search warrant for her Tahoe.”

“Yet,” Miller answered. “Let’s see what Logan knows. And we need to talk to Jared separately. Get him away from his wife and see if he shares anything else.”

“I want to go back and look at Taylor’s room after we talk to Logan and his mother,” she reminded Miller. “Hopefully I can talk to Christy privately then.” She unlocked her phone and quickly found Logan’s social media profiles on Instagram and Snapchat and skimmed through the last couple of weeks. He posted a couple of times a day, usually about band or something after school.

Nikki logged into Facebook next. Logan didn’t have an account, but his mother did. Like everyone else, her Facebook page showed only the good parts of their lives. They’d had a wonderful Christmas, attending Midnight Mass on New Year’s Eve. Logan was an only child, so his mother’s page mostly revolved around him. From all appearances, he did well in school and band and didn’t get into trouble. She scrolled through the photos, noting one of a smiling Taylor, Logan and Neena in their marching band uniforms after a football game. The photo was several months old, but Taylor appeared as happy as his friends.

Miller took the exit for Bayport, a small township within Washington County, close to St. Croix Prep Academy and the St. Croix Savanna Scientific and Natural Area, a large swath of protected land monitored by the Department of Natural Resources. “His house borders all that protected land. Even though it’s cold, that’s a good place for a kid to hide to punish his parents. I’ll have a deputy fly a drone over the area and see if anything pops out.”

Nikki exited the vehicle while he sent a message to his deputy and admired the two-story modern Craftsman with white trim. Bayport was a growing area, with home prices increasing as new houses like this one popped up.

“Nice place.” Miller joined her and they headed up the cleared sidewalk. “Small lots here, though.”

“Limited space with the preserve,” Nikki said. “They shouldn’t have tried to cram so many homes around it.”

Clear Christmas lights decorated the front of the house, and a beautiful wreath hung on the front door, which opened before they’d reached the porch.

A petite woman with a stylish bob and a worried look stepped onto the porch. She looked at Sheriff Miller. “Logan got a text from his friend saying that Taylor Hall is missing. I’m hoping you found him, but I assume that’s not the case.”

“Not yet.” Miller introduced himself and Nikki. “Can we talk to Logan for a few minutes?”

“Of course.” She shook their hands. “Renee.”

Inside, the home still appeared new, with a cherry-wood floor leading from the living area to the kitchen. Windows lined the back of the house, a freestanding counter with a granite top separating the kitchen from the living area.

Logan sat in the recliner near the fireplace, looking pale and scared. His blond hair stood on end. He stared at Nikki and Miller. “You didn’t find him yet?”

Renee encouraged them to sit on the couch.

“Not yet.” Nikki sat down at the end of the couch closest to Logan. “I know you’re sick, but do you feel like answering some questions?”

Logan nodded as Renee perched on the recliner’s arm.

“When was the last time you heard from Taylor?” Nikki asked.

“Lunch yesterday,” Logan answered. “My schedule is different than his, so lunch is the last time we see each other before school ends.”

“How did he seem?” Miller asked.

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