Little Girl Gone (An Afton Tangler Thriller #1)(37)

“What’s up?” Max asked. “Is the FBI stepping on somebody’s toes?”

“No. It appears that Mrs. Darden just showed up here. I mean right now this minute. And she’s asking to talk to the person in charge of her daughter’s investigation.” He cocked a finger at Max. “That would be you, my man.”

“Okay.” Max made a motion to stand up.

“Not so fast,” Thacker said. “Susan Darden also wants to see your sidekick here.” This time he pointed at Afton.

“Me?” Afton squeaked. “Why?”

“Damned if I know,” Thacker said. “But I’m betting that, between the two of you, you’ll wring it out of her.”


*

SUSAN Darden wasn’t so much sitting in an uncomfortable orange plastic chair as she was crouched in it. Every muscle was tensed, her normally flawless complexion was red and blotchy, and her fingers drummed relentlessly against the Formica table. Even though she was a hot mess, Afton noted that she wore a spectacular winter white pantsuit with gold braid trim.

Max held the door open for Afton as they shuffled into the room. “Hello,” Max said, nodding at Susan Darden. He was according her the distant respect a mongoose might give a cobra.

“Hi,” Afton said. She wasn’t sure what to expect either. Would the woman go postal and start hurling invectives at her? Would she remain calm but seething? It looked like they were about to find out.

Afton and Max slid into chairs across the table from Susan.

“I appreciate your meeting with me like this,” Susan said. Her lips barely moved and her voice was low and contained.

Max tipped a hand as if to say, Go on.

Susan cocked her head. “Obviously you heard what happened?”

“Just briefly,” Afton said. Her face was fixed in a neutral position, but deep down she was dying to hear the full story.

“Why don’t you tell us what happened,” Max said. He was staying cucumber cool, too.

“That * was cheating on me,” Susan spit out. Then, wraithlike, her face twisted with pain, she lurched forward in her chair and barked, “Richard was planning to see her. Our precious daughter’s been kidnapped, I’m a complete basket case, and all he can think about is that little tart.”

“We’re sorry about that,” Max said. “We really are. But how exactly do you think your husband’s, um, extracurricular activity affects this particular situation?”

Susan paused to gather together her thoughts, and then said, “What if it’s a plot?”

“A plot against you?” Afton asked.

“I don’t know,” Susan said. “What if Jilly took the baby? Or the two of them conspired and are holding the baby somewhere?”

“And they would do that . . . why?” Max asked. He wasn’t buying the conspirator theory, but he was giving her the benefit of the doubt.

“To drive me crazy,” Susan said. She twisted the ring on her right hand, an enormous moonstone set in gold. “It is driving me crazy. I can’t eat, I can’t sleep, I can’t focus. All I can think about is Elizabeth Ann.”

“You know we’re doing our best,” Max said. “We’ve been working in concert with the FBI, following up on a number of leads.”

“I get that,” Susan said. “I saw the two of you on TV last night. You were down in those woods checking to see if that poor frozen baby was Elizabeth Ann.” She hesitated and then her voice grew softer. “That’s when I knew that both of you cared deeply. I finally comprehended that finding my baby is important to you, too.”

“We understand your pain,” Afton said. “We’re parents, too.”

Susan pulled a hanky from her purse and dabbed at her eyes. “I thought for sure that little baby was Elizabeth Ann.”

“But it wasn’t,” Max said. “Which really is a blessing of sorts.”

“Know this,” Afton said, leaning forward. “If it had been her, we would’ve called you immediately.”

“Really?”

“Absolutely,” Afton said. “We wouldn’t have let you spend one extra second worrying if it was her or not.”

“It’s always better to have an answer,” Susan said.

“Yes, it is,” Afton said.

Everyone was quiet for a moment, and then Susan gazed at Afton and said, “You’re a mom, too?”

“Yes, I have two girls,” Afton said. “And Max has two boys.”

“So then you know,” Susan said.

“I do and I don’t,” Afton said. “I know the love a mother feels for her children, but I’ve never experienced the terrible pain you’re going through right now.”

“It’s awful,” Susan whispered.

“Tell us more about the plot,” Max said.

Susan waved a hand. “I don’t know that it’s a legitimate plot. On the other hand, I wouldn’t put it past Jilly. She’s a strange girl. Very focused and driven. When she sees something she wants, she doesn’t hesitate to go after it.”

“And you think Jilly went after Richard?” Afton asked.

“Well . . . yes, I do,” Susan said.

“You’re thinking she stood a better chance with the baby out of the way?” Max asked. Susan winced at his words and Max said, “I’m sorry, but we need to be absolutely clear about this.”