I take the kitten in my arms and step inside my daughter’s room, decorated with streamers and balloons. It doesn’t look like a struggle, but someone definitely pulled on the decorations, making them askew.
Those bastards were in my daughter’s room!
Just thinking about what could have happened if Mere were not at the library scares me to my bones.
My phone rings and I see Lukas’s name on the caller ID. “Keith, I have Mere with me and we are leaving for the safe house.”
His words lift a heavy burden off my chest. “Thanks a lot, man.”
“Don’t worry about it. What’s the update?”
“They have Clementine. They took her from Mere’s room.” My teeth grind, imagining the worst again. “Gavin is running the email through our system, trying to get any information. I’m at the house. There doesn’t seem to have been much of a struggle.”
“Maybe they sedated her?”
“No. They sent a picture of her in the van. She was wide awake.” Her scared eyes haunt me once more.
“What can I do?” Lukas asks.
“Keep my daughter safe, Luke. I can only focus on something else when I know Mere is safe.”
“You got it, man.” He lowers his voice before adding, “But she’s confused and scared. You should talk to her.”
“Dad?” Merida whispers.
“Hey, honey.” I sit on her bed. Realization dawning on me, once again, how close I was to losing my daughter today. “Don’t be scared. Lukas will keep you safe.”
“What’s happening, Daddy? Uncle Luke is telling me nothing.” The worry in her voice kills me.
“It’s all gonna be fine. But you’ll have to stay with Lukas tonight. I’ll get you soon.”
“Are you all right?” Her voice quivers in fear.
“I’m fine, baby. Don’t worry about me.” My chest tightens in frustration, at not having Mere in my arms.
“Then what happened, Dad? Please tell me. Please, Dad.” My daughter sniffs and I cave into her pleading.
“There was an attempt to kidnap you.” My throat dries up just saying the words.
She stays quiet for several beats and I can only imagine how scared she must be.
“But I’m okay, Dad.”
“And I’m so thankful to God for that, honey.” My eyes close as I say a silent thank-you to the universe for keeping my daughter safe.
“Did something else happen? Are you and Clem safe?” When I don’t reply immediately, she asks in a dreaded voice, “Dad, where’s…Clem?”
I hate to scare her further, but I also want her to know the seriousness of the situation.
“The kidnappers were in our home, but they got Clementine instead.”
“No!” Mere gasps in shock. “Is she all right? Where is she?”
“I’ll find her. But to do that, I need to know you’re safe. I can’t work and worry about you at the same time. So, promise me you’ll do as Lukas says.”
“I promise, Dad. But please find Clem.”
“Nothing will happen to her. Trust me.”