Free Crushing by Elena Dillon Page B

songs, and the pastor did a wonderful job leading prayer for Lindsay’s safe return. As we stood there with our heads bowed praying, I could feel both of the boys’ arms brushing mine. I felt safe and overwhelmed with how blessed I was to be with people I cared about when Lindsay wasn’t. These little petty arguments and drama just didn’t matter.
    About halfway through I felt someone walk behind me and brush my back. The hair on the back of my neck stood up. Weird. Something dropped at my feet. Someone probably needed to go to the restroom and dropped their program or something. I refocused on praying and forgot about it.
    When it was all over I had had a good cry, but I felt better, less helpless. I looked down and noticed something on top of my left foot. It wasn’t a program. It was something plastic. I picked it up, and my heart started pounding.
    It was a school ID card. With Lindsay’s name on it. The picture had been gouged out with something sharp. It had deep grooves where the picture went. My breath left my body in a whoosh.
    Dom looked at my face and must have seen something was wrong.
    I held the ID like it was going to bite.
    “What’s that?” he asked.
    “It’s…it’s…Oh my gosh, Dominic—go get somebody. It’s Lindsay’s. I, um, think we need the police.”
    Gage stepped closer to look.
    “Don’t touch anywhere else on it,” he warned.
    We all three stared at it for a second. Dominic and Gage exchanged an intense look. Gage nodded at him.
    “I’ll be right back.” Dom took off pushing through the crowd.
    What did I miss?
    “Are you all right?” Gage asked.
    “I don’t know. Why would it be here?” I had goose bumps all up and down my arms. Gage’s expression was grim. He was looking at the ID and then back up at me.
    “Did you see anyone?”
    “No. I just felt someone walk by and drop something on my foot. I didn’t look because I wanted to focus.”
    Dominic was on his way back, pushing through the crowd with two men in suits. I was trying to hold the ID with just the tips of my fingers in case there was something on it that could be useful.
    “Miss Atherton? I’m Detective Holbrook from the Charleston PD and this is Detective Summers. We heard you found something of Miss Patterson’s?”
    “Yes, sir. I felt something hit my foot during prayer, and when I opened my eyes at the end, this was on my foot. I picked it up, and noticed it had Lindsay’s name on it.”
    “We’re going to need to take that and analyze it.”
    “Of course.”
    The other detective pulled out an envelope and held it open so I could drop it in.
    What if whoever took Lindsay was here? I was starting to get the shakes.
    Into all this chaos my dad arrived.
    “What’s going on, Rory?”
    “I-I don’t know. I found an ID of Lindsay’s.”
    “What? Where?” My dad looked angry.
    “Sir, we are going to have to ask your daughter to come to the station so we can ask her some questions. And you boys too.” He looked at Gage and Dom. “You were with Miss Atherton when she found it?”
    They both nodded.
    “What are you doing here?” my dad barked at Gage.
    “Good to see you again, sir.” Gage stuck out his hand, and my dad ignored it.
    My dad turned to the detective. “I’ll make sure Rory and Dominic get there shortly, Detective.”
    “Dad!” I was mortified.
    Gage pulled his hand back and frowned.
    Dominic spoke up. “I’m going to go let my parents know. I’ll meet you at your house in a few, Dr. Atherton?”
    My dad nodded.
    Dominic disappeared into the crowd.
    “Mr. Maddox, we will expect you as well. If you’re underage, you can bring your parents,” the detective pointed out.
    Gage just nodded.
    What if his uncle wasn’t home? Who was going to go with him? At this point my dad started to drag me off by the arm.
    “Dad, stop, wait. What if Gage’s uncle isn’t home? He’s only seventeen. He doesn’t have anybody else.”
    “That is not our problem, Rory. He is going to