Page 66 of Three Girls Gone

“Yeah.” Amanda’s large grin was making her cheeks ache. She probably looked like a moron, not that she cared.

“That’s incredible. Congrats? I don’t know what to say.” Trent was smiling too.

“Thanks, Trent. Honestly, I’m speechless about it.”

“Well, you’re so good with her. It was bound to happen eventually.”

His genuine words hit her heart and sank in her gut. His opinion mattered to her. Possibly more than it should. “Thanks. And as for Dr.Paulsen, we all read him wrong.”

“Pfft.I don’t think so. That guy was drooling over you.”

She scrunched up her face. “Do people even say that anymore?”

He shrugged. “I just did.”

She loved his easygoing nature, and while he had a strong moral code and values she shared, he wasn’t about conforming to please other people. Another thing she respected about him.

“And how do you figure we read him wrong?” Trent asked as he turned into the hospital parking lot.

“He didn’t call. A nurse did. He wanted my number for business reasons.”

“Hmm. I’m not sure about that. Ask me and there’s more to it.”

They got out of the car and headed to the nurses’ station and announced who they were and who they were there to see.

“Yes, you’re interested in Anne Harrington,” the nurse said with confidence.

“That’s right,” Amanda told her.

“I’m Lorraine, the nurse who called you. Dr.Paulsen apologizes he didn’t do it himself.” Amanda’s confusion must have been easy to read. “Oh, let me back up here. Dr.Paulsen finished out a twenty-hour shift at two AM, called me at six after speaking to the attending to check on Harrington’s recovery. He sounded drunk exhausted and asked if I’d call you. Guess he was supposed to.”

Trent nudged the toe of his shoe into the side of her foot. Amanda stiffened.

“Thanks,” she said.

“Don’t mention it. She’s back in room one-twelve. Do you need me to take you there?”

“No, we’ll be fine.” Amanda set off, taking the lead.

Trent caught up and whispered to her. “Guess we didn’t misread anything.”

But did that really change things? She had Zoe. They had it good together. Her phone rang, yanking her out of her spiraling thoughts.

She stopped walking to answer. Trent stood next to her as she pulled out her phone. “It’s Malone,” she told Trent before picking up.

“Where are you two?”

“At the?—”

“You know what? It doesn’t matter. Another girl is missing.”

The world around Amanda became still for a second, then chirps from machines and soles slapping and squeaking against the linoleum flooring came into focus. Nurses and patients walked past them.

“Just hold on one sec.” She looked for a private place to put the call on hands-free so Trent could hear. The only space within eyesight was a restroom. She ducked inside and pulledTrent’s shirt to drag him in with her. She checked on the stalls, and once she confirmed they were alone, she closed the door behind them and hit Speaker on her phone. “Go ahead.” Her heart was pounding. Not just because she had Trent’s woodsy cologne lodged up her nose and on her palms.

“Eloise Maynard, seven years old, was discovered missing when her mother went to wake her up this morning. Detective McGee from Missing Persons shot this one right over to us.”

“Are we sure it’s connected to Gilbert and Tanner?” Trent asked. “Though what are the chances it isn’t?”