Page 13

CHAPTER 13

Brooklyn’s heart thudded heavily as she and Ethan pushed through the glass doors of Liam’s school. He had stopped briefly to speak to the officer outside. He’d asked if there was a detective on scene but the officer had said she wasn’t there yet.

The cheerful posters and brightly painted walls were jarring, mocking her with their innocence. Her nephew was missing, and the last place he had been was here—the one place he should have been safe. The one place she’d thought he would be safe. It was her fault he was gone. Stupidly, she hadn’t demanded that Ethan be with Liam twenty-four-seven.

The principal’s office was located at the end of a hallway filled with colorful lockers and bulletin boards announcing upcoming field trips. Mundane details blurred together as Brooklyn’s eyes darted nervously around, searching for anything that might offer answers. Beside her, Ethan was a steady presence, but his jaw was clenched in a hard line, his eyes scanning as intently as hers. At least she wasn’t facing this nightmare alone. She knew she shouldn’t be relying on him to prop her up emotionally but, especially now, she would take whatever support she could get.

The secretary at the front desk glanced up as they entered the office. Her polite smile faltered when Brooklyn gave her name. Contritely, she said, “I am so sorry, Ms. Alexander,” the woman said as she took in Brooklyn’s pale face and Ethan’s stormy expression.

“We need to speak with Principal Kahana,” Brooklyn said, her voice trembling despite her efforts to sound composed.

The woman’s expression shifted to one of concern. “She’s expecting you. Please, go in.”

Brooklyn nodded her thanks and crossed the room, pushing open the door marked Principal’s Office.

Inside, Principal Kahana rose from behind her desk, her warm brown eyes filled with sympathy. She was a tall woman with a commanding presence, her dark hair streaked with silver and pulled back into a neat bun. The Hawaiian print blouse she wore seemed incongruous with the grim expression on her face.

“She greeted them, her voice calm but serious. “Please, sit.”

Brooklyn hesitated, her hands twisting together as emotions froze her in place. She didn’t want sympathy, she wanted her nephew back. Ethan rested a steadying hand on her lower back, guiding her to the chair nearest the desk. She sank into it, her stomach churning.

“What happened?” Brooklyn asked, her voice tight. “How did Liam… how could he just disappear?”

Ms. Kahana’s lips pressed into a thin line as she sat back down. “Ms. Alexander and Mister?”

“Foster,” Ethan supplied.

She nodded. “I’ll explain everything we know, but first, let me say how deeply sorry I am. This is an unprecedented situation, and we are doing everything in our power to assist law enforcement and ensure Liam’s safety.”

Brooklyn’s fingers clenched into fists. Words of comfort were meaningless when Liam was missing. She wanted action. Answers.

The principal leaned forward with a serious expression. “Liam was last seen during recess. He walked across the playground and approached a black SUV parked just outside the gate. He got into the vehicle willingly, carrying his backpack.”

Brooklyn’s breath hitched. “Willingly? Are you sure? Did anyone see who was in the SUV?”

Principal Kahana shook her head. “Unfortunately, the vehicle had tinted windows, and there were no visible plates. Our security cameras captured footage of the incident, which I’ve reviewed, but I’d like you to see it for yourselves. Mr. Hale, our head of security, is standing by to assist.”

Ethan’s voice was low and firm when he said, “We need access to that footage immediately. Every second counts.”

Principal Kahana nodded and pressed a button on her desk phone. “Mr. Hale, please join us in my office.”

Moments later, the door opened, and a tall, broad-shouldered man stepped inside. He was neatly dressed, and his sharp eyes seemed to miss nothing as they scanned the room. He was a far cry from Harry, the security guard Brooklyn always saw on duty.

“Principal Kahana,” he said with a nod before turning his attention to Brooklyn and Ethan. “I’m Mark Hale, head of security for Mauna Loa School. I’ve been reviewing the footage and coordinating with the authorities.”

Brooklyn frowned at him. “Where is Harry? He is usually so good about looking out for the kids.”

“Harry is out sick. He hurt his back. Eugene was on duty but failed to notice Liam walk down the driveway.”

“I need to see the footage,” Ethan said without preamble.

Hale nodded. “Of course. Follow me.”

Brooklyn’s legs felt shaky as she stood, but Ethan’s hand on her arm grounded her. They followed the man down a hallway to a small room filled with monitors and computer equipment. The hum of electronics filled the space, and the air smelled faintly of stale coffee.

Hale moved to a workstation, his fingers flying across the keyboard. “This is the camera that captured the incident,” he said, pulling up a video feed. “The timestamp coincides with recess; about twenty minutes before Liam was reported missing.”

Brooklyn leaned forward, her breath shallow as the video began to play. The camera showed a clear view of the playground. Children laughed and ran, their carefree movements a sharp contrast to the wrenching fear in her chest. Liam appeared on the screen, standing near the swings with his backpack slung over one shoulder.

“There he is,” she whispered, her throat tight.

The video continued, showing Liam turning away from the playground and walking toward the fence. A black SUV idled just beyond the gate, its windows dark and impenetrable. Liam stopped for a moment, as if considering something, then opened the gate and approached the vehicle.

Brooklyn’s stomach churned. “Why would he do that? He knows better than to get into a stranger’s car. And why didn’t anyone stop him? They should’ve known something was going on. He would never bring his backpack to recess.”

Hale’s voice was calm but edged with tension. “As I said, Harry is out sick, and Eugene is new. He isn’t as familiar with the goings on here as yet. Liam must’ve recognized whoever was inside the vehicle. Or thought he did.”

On the screen, Liam opened the back door of the SUV and climbed in. The door shut behind him, and the vehicle pulled away, disappearing from the frame. Brooklyn’s hands flew to her mouth, stifling a sob.

Hale paused the video, the image frozen on the SUV just before it left the frame. “There are no plates,” he said. “And with the windows tinted that dark, we couldn’t identify the driver or any passengers.”

“What about Liam’s phone?” Ethan asked. “He had it with him, right?”

Hale nodded. “He did. I informed the officer, and he said they had already contacted Liam’s provider to initiate a trace, but so far, there has been no activity. Either the phone has been turned off, or it’s been destroyed. You will have to follow up with them to get more details.”

Brooklyn’s knees felt weak, and she gripped the edge of her chair for support. “Who could… why would anyone do this?” Her voice broke, and Ethan’s hand cupped her shoulder, grounding her again.

“We’ll figure it out,” Ethan said firmly. “But we need more information. Are there any other cameras in the area? Something that might show where the SUV went?”

Hale hesitated. “There are a few traffic cameras near the main road. I’ve already requested access from the city, but it could take time to get the footage.”

“We don’t have time,” Ethan said, his tone sharp. “Get me the contact information for whoever manages those cameras. I’ll make some calls.”

Hale nodded. “I’ll email you the details.”

Brooklyn’s mind raced as she stared at the frozen image of the SUV. “What about the gate? Was it unlocked?”

“It shouldn’t have been,” Hale said, frowning. “We’re looking into whether it was tampered with. The latch is supposed to be secured during school hours.”

Brooklyn’s heart sank further. “If it wasn’t secure, that’s on the school. Liam should never have been able to get out that easily.”

Hale bowed his head. “Again, Harry always walked down to check and make sure but with him out sick and Eugene being new, there was an unfortunate security gap. That gate should have been locked. I can only profoundly apologize.”

Principal Kahana, who had followed them into the room, wrung her hands “You have my word that we’re investigating every angle. This never should have happened, and we will do everything in our power to make it right.”

Brooklyn swallowed hard, nodding. She wanted to believe the principal, but it wasn’t enough. Nothing would be enough until Liam was found.

Ethan stood, his movements sharp and deliberate. “We need to move fast. The longer we wait, the colder the trail gets. Brooklyn, are you okay?”

She nodded, though the answer was far from the truth. Her chest felt hollow, her breaths shallow and ragged. But breaking down wouldn’t help Liam. She had to stay strong for him.

“I’m fine,” she forced the words out. “What do we do next?”

Ethan’s gaze met hers, steady and determined. “We start with the traffic cameras. If we can figure out where that SUV went, we’ll have our next lead.”

Principal Kahana spoke up. “If there’s anything else we can do to help, please don’t hesitate to ask. Mr. Hale and I will continue working with the authorities and reviewing the footage.”

“Thank you,” Ethan said, his tone clipped but sincere. He turned to Brooklyn. “Let’s go.”

Brooklyn followed him out of the room on trembling legs. The bright hallways felt stifling now, the laughter of unseen children a cruel reminder that Liam had been taken. As they reached the parking lot, Ethan’s truck came into view, a solid, reassuring presence in the chaos.

Ethan opened the passenger door for her, his expression softening for just a moment. “We’ll find him, Brooklyn. I promise.”

Tears stung her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. “We have to. It’s my fault he’s missing.”

“It is not your fault.” Ethan was trying to reassure her, but she knew the truth.

“Jackson had asked me to put a tracking software for Liam on my phone and I just…forgot to do it. We had even talked about getting an air tag for him, but well, it’s the Big Island, and there’s a lot of wide open space. Air tags only work if there are other cell phones to bounce the locations off of. The tracking software was what we agreed on and I just…forgot. It’s all my fault.”

She climbed into the truck, her mind replaying the footage over and over. Liam’s small figure walking to that SUV. The door closing behind him. The vehicle driving away. It was a loop of horror she couldn’t escape.