Page 17 of Lion Conquers All
The babies were particular.
Amazing.
But very particular.
7
CONNIE
“Alright, people. We are almost through. Just a few more scenario questions and then you take your quiz. Let’s say you have an unconscious non-breathing adult and you are alone. What do you do first?” Connie tapped the end of her clipboard and waited.
Helen raised her hand to answer, but before Connie could speak the door at the back of the gym swung open and a familiar ache in her chest started humming again. Aarav was back. Again. This was the most she’d seen him in one day for quite some time.
She’d told him to update her about Sam. But he could’ve texted.
His face was solemn. Unreadable.
Crap. Was Sam hurt?
“I apologize for the interruption again, Connie, but do you have a Gaven Hardisty here?” He waited at the back.
Gaven stood from the table where he was and raised a hand. “I’m here, deputy. Is everything alright?”
“Yes. Just need to ask a couple of questions. Could you please come into the entry with me. Connie, very sorry. I do apologize.”
“Deputy, did you talk to my boys?” Helen spoke this time. “Was Sam there?”
Aarav had a trapped look on his face. He wanted to answer Helen, but he was doing his best to handle Gaven without freaking him out…or any of the other dozen parents staring at him.
“Sam was not there, Helen.”
“Well, shit. Had they seen him?” Helen asked, obvious worry edging into her tone of voice.
Aarav released a long sigh. “No, ma’am. Not since the beginning of the week. Mr. Hardisty, if you could—” He pointed to the front lobby.
Connie found it odd that Aarav had come in the side door of the MCC both times today instead of the front.
He and Gaven left the gym area and the door to the lobby closed with an echoingthud.
“You guys study your notes. I’ll be right back.”
She put her clipboard on the table next to her and followed Aarav and Gaven into the front entryway.
“Can you please try again?”
“Sure, but I told you, she turns her phone off to conserve battery. It won’t ring.”
“Please leave her a message then. We need to get ahold of her and find out if they are together or if he left without her.”
“What’s going on?” Connie spoke up, walking over to the two men. Her skin itched and her chest felt tight, but she needed to know the boy was okay. If Sam wasn’t responding, he could be injured. Aarav would need her expertise specifically.
“Gretchen, sweetheart. Sam Robert’s parents are worried sick. They have checked everywhere. The sheriff’s office is getting involved now. Have you seen Sam recently? Please call me as soon as you get this message. Love you.”
Gaven shook his head. “I’m sorry. I leave the phone on and charged and I never step away from it, but we have an understanding and she’s stuck with it faithfully. So I trust her up there in the park. She’s careful and she checks in every morning.”
“So you spoke with her this morning already?” Connie asked before Aarav could get the words out.
Gaven nodded. “Yeah. She said she was good. She was out at the Moss Point blind taking pictures.”
