Page 50 of Little Child Gone

“He left about forty-five minutes ago,” Christy said. “The surgery is four to five hours, so he said not to expect him until later tonight.” She set her phone on the counter, messing with the buttons on the side. “I’m paranoid I will have the ringer off and Taylor will call.”

“Are Amelia and Caden here with you and Penny?”

Christy nodded. “They’re keeping her occupied.” She stood in front of the refrigerator. “Would you like something to drink?”

“No thanks.” While Christy’s back was turned, Nikki texted Liam and asked him to call the number Livingston had given them. If Christy had procured the internet number, her phone should notify her of the call depending on its setting.

Nikki sat down at the counter they’d occupied earlier, watching Christy intently. “I do have some follow-up questions after talking to people at school.”

Christy nodded. “I assumed you would.”

“Really?” Nikki quickly read Liam’s text. The call had gone to the same message about unknown callers, and Christy’s phone hadn’t made any noise.

Christy leaned against the marble. “Look, I made a lot of mistakes before Jared. Taylor holds things against me, even though it has been just over eight years since I met Jared. We got married soon after we met.”

“What sort of things?”

“I wasn’t abusive,” Christy said. “But I worked multiple jobs and made bad choices. Taylor and Amelia spent a lot of time by themselves when they were little.” Her lower lip trembled. “I’ve spent the last eight years trying to make up for it.”

“I’m not judging you by any means,” Nikki assured her. “I just need to know the truth.”

“We’ve told you that,” Christy said. “I don’t understand what you’re asking.”

Menards had confirmed that Christy’s Suburban was parked near the front of the store last night for about twenty minutes, which matched what she’d told them. Taylor hadn’t appeared on the footage. “Christy, I know you didn’t come home when you said last night. Traffic cameras showed you coming home over an hour later than you told us.”

“I drove around looking for him,” Christy said. “And then I decided if he wanted to pull this stunt again, he could text Jared like he did before.”

“Before?” Nikki asked. “This was after an argument the two of you had?”

“It was a few months ago,” Christy said. “I’d spent all day asking Taylor to do his damned chores while Jared was at work. He just kept ignoring me, so I told him he was going to be grounded if he didn’t do his chores. He got mad and we argued. I told him not to leave the house, but he did it anyway. I spent hours worried sick, walking around the neighborhood, looking for Taylor. Finally, Jared called and said he’d texted that he was staying the night at Logan’s. Taylor didn’t give a damn about my worrying.”

“I understand why you’d be upset,” Nikki said. “Teenagers are tough.”

“I was certain he did the same thing yesterday,” she said. “If I’d called the police, he might be here right now.”

“Is there anyone else you can think he might turn to?”

“I gave you everyone’s name I could think of,” Christy answered. “And I just don’t believe he’d put his siblings through it this long.”

Nikki hesitated before asking her next question. “Is it possible Amelia or Caden would keep it from you if Taylor checked in?”

“I… I don’t think so,” Christy said. “Why would they?”

“You’re probably right,” Nikki said. “But siblings have a unique bond. It’s possible Taylor got into some kind of trouble and one of the kids knows or has heard from him. I know it’s hard for you to fathom, and you know your kids better than anyone. But we need to cover all our bases searching for Taylor.” She let the words sink in for a few moments. “Would you mind if I spoke to them when I go upstairs to look at Taylor’s room?”

Emotion flashed through Christy’s eyes, but Nikki couldn’t figure out if she was angry or fearful or something else. “Jared might not think it’s the best idea. You aren’t supposed to speak to minors without their parents.”

“How about this.” Nikki smiled at her. She didn’t like playing with the kids’ trust like this, but she doubted Christy would allow her to talk to the kids if she didn’t. “You come up with me and stay within earshot in the hall, just out of sight.”

Christy was silent for a few moments before nodding her head. “Penny is napping, so please keep your voice down.” They climbed the stairs in silence, Christy clutching her phone. Nikki followed Christy into Taylor’s bedroom.

“Is her room near this one?” Nikki asked.

“Opposite end of the hall, why?”

“Why don’t you bring Amelia and Caden into Taylor’s room so we won’t wake Penny. I know how bad it is when a toddler doesn’t get a nap.”

Christy shrugged and left to get the older kids. Nikki scanned the room, surprised at how neat and tidy it was for a fourteen-year-old boy. He didn’t have a computer, because all of the kids shared a desktop computer. Band ribbons, drumsticks, but no drums. Taylor likely wasn’t allowed to practice at home because of his little sister. Nikki sniffed the air; it smelled unusually fresh for a teenaged boy’s room. His drawers were organized, with his socks and underwear fitting neatly into a fabric organizer.

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