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She offered me a warm smile. “Thank you for getting her back.”

I kissed her forehead. “Anything for you, Tulip. Also, don’t tell the authorities about finding Aimee yet.”

“I have to let her parents know.”

“That’s fine, but ask them to hold off on alerting the authorities too. I want to make sure we don’t jeopardize her safety by alerting the wrong people.”

She touched my face and smiled. “Always thinking ahead.”

I closed the door and joined my friends standing at the center of the room. We glared at the man who knew too much about us.

Irritated, I stepped forward. “Has it been fun being our PI?”

CHAPTERSIXTY-FOUR

VIVIAN

I embracedAimee for a long time before releasing her to Kaylee, who gave her a massive hug. Joy and relief burst in me. The anxiety that had weighed me down began to slide off my shoulders. As tears filled my eyes, I imagined my mom smiling from above.

I examined Aimee. She didn’t appear terrified or distraught, as I had expected. We all gathered around two tables at the museum café. I had so many questions for her but didn’t want to inundate her with them.

Once she got settled, I’d call her parents and my dad. Aimee needed to be surrounded by people who cared about her. She needed to feel safe.

She wore clean clothes, good shoes, and an Armani felt coat. Did Orion buy them for her? This didn’t seem like an ordinary kidnapping.

Aimee smiled at my friends, who sat in silence, giving her the space she needed.

After she finished her strawberry shake, I asked, “Are you hurt? Did that man hurt you in any way?”

Aimee shook her head. “Orion didn’t hurt me. He saved me.”

“What do you mean he saved you?” I exchanged glances with my friends.

Kaylee took Aimee’s hands to comfort her.

Though she was only nine, her eyes revealed she knew so much more than other kids her age. The way she reacted to this horrible situation amazed me. Maybe she was hiding the fear underneath the calm exterior? Her parents would need to take her to a therapist to ensure she wasn’t repressing the trauma. That could have a terrifying effect on her later on. I understood this because I was still trying to overcome my trauma.

“He saved me from that other man.” She looked at me. “They were going to ship me overseas.” She rattled off a number. “That’s the dock and container number. I heard him talk to a man with a clown mask.”

Ghost.Where was he now?

“Wow,” Audri said.

“She’s better than a computer,” Kiera added.

Kaylee wrapped an arm around Aimee. “She’s my little Einstein. Thanks for leaving a clue for us.”

Aimee hugged Kaylee back. “When Orion stepped away to talk on his phone, I asked the man to help me.” She shrugged. “I didn’t know if you’d see it . . . But I hoped you would.”

“I’m going to make Kuraimee into a real plushie for you!” Kaylee said.

“Really?”

“Yup!”

“Thank you!” Aimee embraced Kaylee once more.

“Did the original kidnappers hurt you?” I asked, fearing what she’d say. But I had to know.