Page 70 of Three Girls Gone
They went deeper into the home, following the sound of sobbing. It drew them all the way to the back where a living room was off the kitchen. A man and woman were huddled together on the couch, and they looked up at her and Trent.
“Mr.and Mrs.Maynard, we’re Detectives Steele, and Stenson,” she told them.
“Damon and Krista,” the man said. “Please, sit wherever you’d like.” He gestured to the other chairs in the room, and Amanda and Trent each selected one and sat down.
“We can only imagine what you’re going through,” she began. “I assure you that Detective Stenson and I will do all wecan to find your daughter safe and sound.” She’d do whatever she could to make good on that intention.
“Eloise. Please, just say her name. She’s special to us.” Krista hiccupped a sob, and when she raised her hand, Amanda noticed a photograph in her hand.
“Yes, of course. I apologize.Eloise.Is that a picture of her?” She pointed to what Krista was holding, and the woman nodded. “Could I see it?”
Krista nodded, and Amanda got up and took the photo from her.
“It was taken yesterday at her birthday party,” Krista told her.
Eloise was bright-eyed with blond hair and green eyes. She was a sweet, innocent child. Anger swirled in Amanda’s chest as she tightened her grip on the photo paper. The image appeared to have been printed from a home computer. A quick look around the room showed the couple favored abstract paintings on the walls instead of framed photographs. There were no shelves or units that displayed any either.
“We don’t like clutter,” Damon offered, as if realizing that’s what Amanda had observed.
She nodded, accepting that only because the home had a rather clinical feel. “She’s beautiful,” Amanda said, holding the picture for Trent to see before handing it back to Krista.
The mother said nothing but palmed her cheeks and stared at the image.
“When did you last see Eloise?” she asked, as Trent pulled out his tablet.
“It was last night,” Damon said. “Krista puts her to bed.”
“What time was this?” Trent asked.
“Eight o’clock. I read to her for about ten minutes and then it’s lights out.” Krista sniffled, and her husband gripped her closer to him.
Amanda could only imagine the living nightmare thiscouple was experiencing. They put their daughter to sleep, likely feeling that security as she had with Zoe last night, only to wake up and have her gone. “Is there any security system on the home?”
The Maynards shook their heads in unison.
“You can bet when we get her back, that’s the first thing I’ll have installed,” Damon said.
Amanda was impressed by his positive mindset. While it wouldn’t have a direct bearing on the outcome, it would keep him going. “A doorbell cam?”
“No,” Damon said.
It could have shown the perp. “What time did you notice Eloise was missing?”
“It was at seven when I went to wake her up to get ready for school.” Krista’s voice was robotic as she spoke. Her gaze never left her daughter’s face.
“Krista screamed, and I went running down the hall,” Damon picked up. “By the time I got there, she was holding a note in her hand. Ah, the other detective has it. He bagged it for forensics.”
“Yes, we saw it. Detective McGee handed it over to the CSIs to be processed for prints and DNA, to see if that gets us any closer to who took her. Do either of you have any enemies or people in mind who might have done this? Any new people in your lives?” It was unlikely their killer had stalked both Hailey and Eloise for a length of time. Though if his intention was always a third victim, it was possible.
Damon looked at his wife, and they both shook their heads.
“Who is this Katherine person?” Damon asked. “The other detective wouldn’t tell us anything about her.”
“Our baby was taken because of her, whoever she is,” Krista spat before Amanda or Trent could respond to Damon. “Do you think the same person who killed that Tanner girl took our Ellie?” The woman’s face was bright red, and angry tears fell.
Damon handed his wife the tissue box from the table next to him. “Please excuse my?—”
“If you’re going to apologize for me, I’d stop and think that through.” Krista drilled her husband with a fiery gaze.
