Code Name: Nanny (SEAL and Code Name #5)(20)

“Don’t worry, honey. She was probably confused and went to the wrong place.” Summer checked her watch. “I have to phone your mom again.”

“She’ll be so frightened,” Sophy said gravely. “She worries a lot lately. She tries to hide it, but we can still tell.”

So much for fooling the kids, Summer thought. As they crossed the corridor, she dialed Cara O’Connor’s cell phone.

Cara answered on the second ring, sounding breathless.

“Ms. Mulvaney here. We’re checking the building now. So far no one has seen her leave.”

“Thank God. Did you try the cafeteria? She sometimes sneaks coffee from a nice young man who works in there.”

Summer smiled slightly. “Sophy just told me that, so I sent someone to have a look. Don’t worry, ma’am. We’ll find her.”

“We’ll be there as fast as we can. How is Sophy?”

“Just fine. Would you like to speak with her?”

“Please.”

Sophy took the phone eagerly. “Don’t worry, Mom. Ms. Mulvaney and I will find her. She’s probably sitting on a bench somewhere playing her Walkman.” Sophy listened for several moments, then nodded. “Yes, I’ll stay with Ms. Mulvaney. She told me that, too.” She looked up at Summer. “I like her, Mom. She’s nice—and wait till I tell you about my ballet class. Okay. I love you, too. Bye, now.”

She handed the phone back to Summer. “I’m glad the senator’s with her. She sounds upset.”

Summer smoothly guided Sophy behind her before she pushed open the door to the women’s bathroom. A mother with a baby in a carrier was washing her hands at a sink, and two teenagers were combing their hair. Otherwise, the room was empty. After checking each stall, Summer headed to the next room. With every minute that passed, the possibility of foul play grew.

A woman in a museum uniform met them down the corridor. “Are you Ms. Mulvaney?”

“That’s right. Any news?”

“No, this area’s all clear. I covered every inch. One of the guards brought up her jacket for you.”

Summer took the coat, shoving down a stab of disappointment. “Thank you.”

“I’ll carry it,” Sophy said gravely. “Audra always leaves things lying around.” She folded the jacket, frowning. “I don’t think she was going down to the cafeteria or the gift shop, though.” She ran a hand over the red fabric. “I think she was meeting someone.”

Summer nodded at the guard. “We’ll check, honey.”

“No.” Sophy didn’t look up. “Not up here. I think she—”

Sophy was cut short by the whine of the guard’s radio. “We have the girl. Repeat, we have the girl.”

Summer said a silent prayer of thanks. “Is she hurt? Do you know her status?”

The guard nodded. “She’s fine. They’re on the way up now.”

Audra appeared at the far end of the floor, looking pale and anxious, and Sophy immediately charged toward her. Summer followed, scanning the area for any undue interest shown by the half a dozen people scattered among the marine exhibits.

A female guard motioned to Summer. “She was in a restroom on the ground floor. Said she met a girlfriend after the tour. The two of them were in there talking, and she says she didn’t realize the time.”

Summer noted the woman’s name and badge number. “Thank you for all your help. I’ll call her mother, then have a word with your head of security. I’m sorry for the trouble.”

“Just glad it was a false alarm. Everyone is jumpy these days. I’ll call off the search.”

Summer watched the two girls, leaning close in a bar of late-afternoon sunlight. Audra was as tense and closed off as her younger sister was full of innocent enthusiasm, but different or not, the bond between them was deep.

Audra waited stiffly as Summer walked closer. “I-I’m sorry, Ms. Mulvaney. I didn’t realize how late it was. I didn’t think that being a few minutes late would matter.”

“Twenty minutes is not a few minutes.” Summer was halfway into an angry speech when she caught herself. Punishment was for Audra’s mother to set. Right now Summer had to handle damage control.

As the aquarium’s security director appeared, Summer frowned at Audra. “You’ve made trouble for quite a lot of people. You could help by apologizing to some of them.”

Audra flushed. “Oh, all right. Even though I think you’re all making a big, stupid deal out of nothing.” She faced the security director squarely and made a credible apology, then thanked him for his concern. Summer was struck by her aplomb as she turned to thank two other guards.

When she was done, Summer pulled out her cell phone. “Why don’t you give your mother the news that you’ve been found. She and Senator Winslow are on their way here.”

“You called my mother?” Audra’s shoulders snapped into a tight line of anger. “Why did you do that?”

“Lower your voice, please.” Summer reined in her temper, aware that Audra knew nothing about the recent threats. “I phoned your mother as soon as you didn’t appear with your group. It’s my job to keep her informed.”

“She treats me like a baby. Everyone does.” Audra slung her jacket over her shoulder. “I hate it.”