Protecting Her(65)

She laughs. “Kill him with kindness.”

“You need to come visit us sometime. I haven’t seen the kids for almost a year.”

“Yeah, I know. I’ll talk to Logan and we’ll figure out a time when we can come there.” I hear crying in the background. “I have to go. I’ll call you when I get back from vacation. Bye, Rachel.”

“Bye, Shelby.” I hang up just as I’m pulling into Garret’s school. Other parents are already lined up, waiting for their kids. At three-thirty the kids start filing out. Usually Garret is one of the first ones to leave because his classroom is by the door. But I don’t see him. Maybe he stayed behind to talk to the teacher. He’s probably telling him about his Halloween costume.

Garret’s a talker. He talks to everyone. He’s not at all shy. He’s very confident, like his dad, and outgoing, like me. Growing up, I always made friends easily, and so does Garret. He’s the most popular kid in his class.

At three-forty, most of the kids and parents have left. I get out of the car and go inside to his classroom. He’s not there, but his teacher is there, grading papers at his desk.

“Mr. Elton,” I say, getting his attention.

He looks up and smiles. “Hello, Mrs. Kensington.”

“Do you know where Garret is?’

He seems puzzled by my question. “Garret left around two-thirty.”

“What do you mean he left? Where did he go?”

“He was called down to the office. The secretary said someone was here to pick him up. I assumed it was you or your husband.”

“No.” Unless Pearce picked him up. But why would he do that and not tell me? And why would he pick him up an hour early? “Would you excuse me?”

“Of course.” Mr. Elton goes back to grading papers.

I go out in the hall and call Pearce. When he picks up, I ask, “Do you have Garret with you?”

“No. I’m at the office. Why do you ask?”

Panic hits me like a lightning bolt, striking my chest and coursing through my limbs.

“Someone took Garret!” I frantically glance around the hall, hoping he’ll suddenly appear, but the halls are empty.

“Rachel, what are you talking about?”

“He’s gone! Someone took him! Someone took Garret!”

“Where are you right now?”

“At his school. I came to pick him up, like I always do, but he’s not here.”

“Did you ask someone at the school if they’d seen him?”

“Yes. I talked to his teacher and he said someone picked up Garret over an hour ago.”

“But he doesn’t know who?”

“No. He assumed it was you or me.”

“Shit!” Now Pearce is panicked. “This doesn’t make sense. They can’t release a child to someone who isn’t a parent. It’s against their policy. Did you talk to the principal?”

“No. I’ll go down there right now.”

“Call me back after you talk to her.”

“I will.” I run down the hall to the principal’s office. The light’s off and the door is closed. How could she have left already? School just ended.

“Can I help you?” a woman asks. I’ve seen her before. I think she’s a teaching assistant for one of the other grades.

“Yes. I’m looking for the principal.”

“She left for the day. She had an appointment to get to.”

“What about the secretary?”

“She went home sick over an hour ago. Is there something I can help you with?”

“No. I have to go.” I race out of the building and call Pearce. I’m so panicked, I feel like I’m hyperventilating. “She’s not there,” I tell Pearce. “The principal left and the secretary is gone. Someone has Garret! We don’t know where he is! We don’t know who has him! Oh my God!”

“Rachel, just calm down. I’ll figure this out.” I hear noise; a door opening and then people talking. Pearce must be walking down the hall at the office.

“Who would take him?” I’m crying now as I hurry to my car. “Why would someone take our son?”

“Sweetheart, just take some breaths and try to calm down. I will find him. I promise you.” I hear a loud noise, like a door slamming against a wall. “Are you sure he didn’t go home with one of his friends?”