CHAPTER NINE
Rachel walked into Kelly Harris’ craft store with a heavy heart. The last hour had been devastating. Police and security staff were on the streets and on the roads, looking for Bella. An AMBER alert had been issued and all of the airport, train, and bus stations had posted messages and signs, looking for her.
Tess followed her into the craft store. “I just heard from Billy-Rae at the radio station. They’re broadcasting messages between every second song, asking people to look for Bella. He said all of the digital signs across the Interstate have been changed and the AMBER Alert website has been updated with her photo.” She gave Rachel a quick hug. “Everyone’s doing their best to find her.”
Kelly walked out from the back room. “Bella’s photo is on all of the television stations. Someone has to know where she is.” She pulled a stool out from behind the front counter. “Sit down. You look as though you’re about to fall to pieces.”
Rachel sat on the stool and wiped her eyes. “She has to be here somewhere. She isn’t wearing a jacket and it’s freezing outside.”
Tess put her hand on Rachel’s shoulder. “The only thing we can do is pray hard that someone sees her. How is her dad?”
“I haven’t seen very much of him. He’s really worried.” While the police were interviewing Rachel and Tank, John had given Dan Carter, the Chief of Police, a recent photo and description of Bella. They were using that information for their website and communication with the media.
John had barely spoken to her as they’d passed each other in the corridor at the police station. She couldn’t blame him for being upset. He’d warned her to be careful, to stay at home rather than go into town. But she hadn’t listened, and her mistake could be deadly.
Rachel pulled her cell phone out of her pocket when it let out a shrill blast. “That’s the third AMBER text alert I’ve had about Bella.” Her eyes filled with tears. “What if she dies?”
Tess pulled a handful of tissues out of the box that Kelly had left on the counter. “There’s no point dwelling on things like that. Let’s go and look for her.” She passed Rachel the tissues. “I can’t sit here and not do anything.”
“But John said to stay here,” Rachel said with reluctance. “I’ve already made too many wrong decisions. If Bella suddenly finds her way here, she won’t know what to do.”
Kelly waved her hand in front of Rachel’s face. “Hello? Earth to Rachel? I’m not exactly invisible. If Bella comes in the store, I’ll keep her warm and call the police. I’ve got plenty of things she can do until they get here.”
“Are you sure?” Rachel asked.
Tess pulled Rachel off the stool. “Of course she’s sure. Kelly has six brothers and sisters. If anyone can look after an eight-year-old, it’s her.”
Rachel zipped her jacket to her chin. “Okay, but we have to get back here within an hour. If John finds out that I left the store, my name is going to be mud.”
“I hate to break the news to you,” Tess said. “But John probably won’t care where you are. His main focus is on Bella. Kelly will look after her if she comes into the store. We’ve covered all the bases.”
“Why don’t I feel as confident as you are?” Rachel asked.
“Maybe because you’re closer to Bella than I am?”
Rachel blinked back her tears. “Tank is meeting John at the police station. Where should we start looking?”
Tess buried her hands in her jacket pockets. “I vote for starting at the café. We can work our way back to where she left the SUV.”
Rachel turned to Kelly. “We won’t be more than an hour.”
“I’ll see you when you get back. Good luck.”
Rachel knew they’d need more than luck to find Bella. She just hoped she’d found somewhere safe and warm to stay if she was lost.
The alternative wasn’t worth considering.