Page 45 of Snowed Inn For Christmas

“Did you see anyone come down the aisle you were on that might have—”

“I think I found something,” the young kid who worked at Silver Falls Express said, pointing to one of the monitors.

We all leaned in and watched as he pressed play, showing us on the aisle as Gage lifted me.In the video, I turn to say something, and then I look at Daisy before Gage takes a step to the right, and I start sorting through those boxes.Just then, Daisy looks to the left and then sets the box down before walking down the aisle and disappearing around the corner.

“Is there more?Does it show where she went?”I asked, gripping the arms of the chair so tightly my fingers hurt.

“Let me switch to that camera view real quick,” he said, noting the time stamp on the current screen before clicking on another screen and rewinding the video until it matched the time stamp.

I held my breath as I watched someone stand at the end of the aisle wearing a hoodie that covered their face.They waved to her, calling her to them before she walked off.I shook my head in disbelief.While I knew that she was gone, seeing the concrete proof of it was soul-shattering.

“Do you know anyone she would willingly go to like that?”the female officer asked right as the door opened and Patrick stepped in, his face red from the cold and rigid with anger.

“You need to see this,” he said, shaking his head.“I went out to the truck to make sure she didn’t somehow go out there when we weren’t looking, and I found this tucked into the door handle.”

He held the note out to the female officer, who tilted her head as she read it out loud.Everything would be considered evidence at this point, so it was best that no one else touched it until it could be secured to preserve fingerprints.

“I warned you not to leave.Now look what you’ve done.”She pulled her head back and glanced at the male officer, who discreetly turned to the side and talked into the two-way radio attached to his shoulder.“Do you know who might have left this note?”

I nodded, looking at Patrick before looking back to her.I knew he didn’t want to involve the cops, but it was too late for that.My daughter was missing and in the hands of a madman, which meant I would do anything in my power to get her back.

“My boss, Joel Roberts.He took my daughter.”

Twenty-Nine

Joel

“Do you like it?”Iasked Daisy as she sat in the seat beside me and stared at the toy I had given her while I drove, trying to get away from Silver Falls Express as quickly as possible.I knew it was only a matter of time before they reported Daisy as missing.Once they did, the entire store would shut down as employees worked quickly to locate her.Thankfully, we were already in the car before that could happen, but the last thing I needed was someone reporting a suspicious person leaving with a child who matched the description.

“Yeah.But when do I get to see Mommy?”

“In a little bit.I told you, we don’t want to ruin the surprise for her.She’s going to be so happy when she sees you.”

“I’m not supposed to leave her side when we’re at the store.Can you please take me back?I don’t want to get in trouble.”

“Trust me, everything will be just fine.You’ll see.”