Page 64 of The Gathered Fragments of Us
"While she tried to erase her browser history, we all know that's really just skimming the surface. It's something forensics will dig into—no real details right now, but we have a general idea of what we are looking at. Given the current exigent circumstances, we will limit our current search to focus on what we need to help us get Macy back."
I felt sick. "I'm just so—I can't even explain it. I mean, I guess the drugs could explain the paranoia, and her recent behavior."
"That's definitely possible. For now, let's focus on what we do know. We know she left with Macy. She is traveling by car and is headed west. We have local units heading out to intercept. And we are working to locate her phone."
Continuing, he said, "In the meantime, I think you need to talk to your attorney again. See if he can get an ex parte emergency custody hearing given the circumstances.”
His phone rang again. While Morrison answered, Caden began scrolling. "I'm going to text David. Send him some of the new info and see if he can file for an emergency hearing."
Morrison was a few feet away. I couldn't make out the details, but I could sense the urgency in his body language. As heapproached, I heard him say, "How long ago?... We're on our way."
He hung up and looked at us with barely contained excitement. "We have a confirmed sighting. A clerk at a rest stop saw the Amber Alert and positively identified both Jessica and Macy from the photos. Said they bought snacks and used the restroom less than an hour ago. It’s in the same direction where her last charge pinged."
"That recent?" Caden jumped up. "Then they can't be far."
"State police are setting up checkpoints on the major highways heading south and west with a twenty-mile radius intersecting the two points."
"What did the clerk say about Macy?" I asked, almost afraid to hear the answer.
"Said the little girl seemed tired and quiet, but not scared or distressed. She was holding her mother's hand and that Jessica seemed scared—keeping Macy close to her."
Relief flooded through me. None of this was ideal, but 'tired and quiet' wasn't the nightmare scenario my mind was conjuring.
"What happens next?" Caden asked.
"We wait for the checkpoints to report back, and we hope Jessica makes another mistake. Using her credit card was sloppy—especially if she has cash on her and she's really been planning this. She really should have known better. I would think she's either not as smart as she thinks, or the pressure is too much for her. Too many unanswered questions here."
He rubbed the back of his neck and continued, "The important thing is that we're closing the gap. She's got a very narrow headstart from that truck stop, and we know her general direction of travel."
My phone buzzed. Maliyah.
Maliyah:Love you chickadee.
Me:We might have found them!
Maliyah:Thank God. Is Macy okay?
Me:We think so. They were seen recently. Said Macy seemed tired but not hurt.
Maliyah:That's good news. Take a deep breath.
I looked around the room—at Caden's anxious face and at Detective Morrison coordinating with what seemed like half the state police force.
Me:I’m breathing.
Maliyah:I'm praying she makes a mistake, and it helps get Macy home.
Me:Me too
Maliyah:and remember one crisis at a time…you and Caden will figure all the other stuff out.
Me:you’re right…one crisis at a time
Chapter 26: Broken Dreams
~Caden~
Detective Morrison was hanging up from another call, and his expression had shifted to something I couldn't quite read.
