Free Every Fear by Rick Mofina Page B

just want to ask anyone…” He paused. “I’m asking anyone who knows who might have my son, Dylan, to ask them to return him safely. Please.”
    As Colson spoke, one of the all-news networks broadcasting live framed him with large still photos of Maria and Dylan over the graphic: FATHER PLEADS FOR ABDUCTED INFANT—FBI SAYS MOTHER’S CONDITION CRITICAL. “Dylan is our only child. Don’t harm him. I’m sure that whoever has Dylan is taking care of him. Dylan’s a good baby. We love him. He’s our world. We need him so we can be a whole family again. Please, if you know who has Dylan, tell them not to be afraid. Tell them they can make everything better by just taking him to someone’s door, anyone’s door, ring the bell or knock. Please, Dylan’s our only son. He’s our miracle. Please take care of him and return him. Please.”
    Lee Colson covered his eyes with his hand as an agent took his shoulder to comfort him and Dupree took over.
    “As you know, we’re looking for a red 2002 Chrysler Town and Country minivan that may be related to this case. According to witness reports, the rear bears asmall customized painting of the sun and trees. We’re now going to run a few seconds of security tape taken by a camera in a store across the street from the abduction. We’ll make copies available, as well as still frames. We believe what you’re seeing is a very limited view of Maria Colson and a person and vehicle that are of interest to us. We’re asking that if anything in this sequence looks familiar to any member of the public, that they immediately call the hotline at the FBI or Seattle Police.”
    Murmurs rippled through the group as the tape played on the monitor, then Dupree asked reporters to identify themselves as he took questions.
    “Agent Dupree, David Troy, WKKR. With this tape you must have a prime suspect?”
    “We won’t rule out anything but our focus now is on Dylan’s safe return.”
    “Cathy Cain, Pacific Post Syndicate. Has there been any contact, directly or indirectly, with Dylan Colson’s abductors? Any demands?”
    “That’s an area we’re not prepared to discuss.”
    “Is that a confirmation, sir?”
    “It’s a subject we’re not prepared to discuss. Our goal at this stage is to make sure Dylan is reunited with his family. Next question, over there.”
    “Jason Wade, Seattle Mirror. I have a question for Mr. Colson.”
    Grace sharpened her attention to assess Jason, impressed by how he’d found Lani Tychina so fast. She didn’t know much about him other than having read his stories in the Mirror. He seemed to be a cut above theother reporters. Let’s see what you’ve got here, Jason, she thought.
    “Sir, I know that this is a difficult time, but I understand there may have been other difficult times for you and Maria?”
    “I don’t know what you’re asking.”
    “You called Dylan your miracle, can you explain what you mean by that?”
    Colson thought, then said, “He means everything to us.”
    After watching their exchange, Grace stayed on Jason’s question. It was cryptic. Does he know something? she wondered as Dupree brought things to an end. “Last question,” he said.
    “Amy Quan, Action News. Mr. Colson, tell us when you last saw your son?”
    Colson blinked several times. “Last night, when I held him, I—” His chin crumpled and he shook his head, unable to continue. Dupree wrapped things up.
    “We’re asking anyone who knows anything about this case, who has any concerns, no matter how seemingly insignificant, any unease about something, or someone they know, to please contact us. Thank you.”
    Dupree and the other agent helped Colson back into the house as reporters lobbed parting questions.
    “Is there a reward?”
    “When’s the next briefing?”
    “We’ll let you know,” Dupree said.
    Jason shouldered through the crowd toward the table and his recorder, testing it to ensure it had picked up everything. It had.
    His cell phone rang.