Free Chained Guilt (Hidden Guilt (Detective Series) Book 1) by Terry Keys Page B

caught a glimpse of Hilary staring down at us. When I made eye contact with her, I was stunned by what I saw in her gaze. It wasn’t the pain or sorrow I expected, but a look of anger and hatred. Then Hilary stepped away from the window, and the curtains fluttered back into place.
                  I knew the coming days and weeks would be tough, especially if Miranda wasn’t found. Or worse . . .  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    11
     
     
     
     
    I lifted Karen into my arms and headed inside. The officer who’d dropped me off had asked if he could do anything for me, but I’d waved him off.  I sat Karen down on the living room couch and told her to stay put while I went upstairs to get her sister. I knew Hilary was angry and upset, but we needed to talk. I knocked once and opened the door without waiting for her reply. Her room gave me an eerie feeling. Her posters of Madonna, Kid Rock, and various other musicians almost came to life—like they were staring at me, ashamed of me. As usual it was a pigsty, with books, magazines, and clothes strewn everywhere. She sat on the edge of her bed, her back to the door. I walked over to her and sat down on the bed—not too close, but close enough to reach out to her if she wished it. I watched a tear trickle down her cheek. 
                  I had offered many words of condolence to hurting families. I had attended funerals, been beside family members as their loves ones died, and yet I found myself at a loss for words for my daughter in her own time of need. I reached out, gently clasped Hilary’s hand, and tugged her off the bed. Then I guided her downstairs. She took a seat beside Karen without saying a word. I sighed and offered them an update.
                  “So far, we’ve come up empty-handed. They’re still looking for her, but beyond that, there’s not much I can tell you.”
                  I told them where her car had been found. “We really don’t know what happened. Something made her swerve from the road, or maybe she was tired and fell asleep.” I paused. “There’s no sign of her being injured, but there would be no logical reason for her to walk away from the scene.” I shook my head. “We just don’t know.”
                  The girls digested what I told them. The awful reality was sinking in; I could see it on their faces. Karen asked me if the lake had been searched. I glanced at her, thinking it was terrible that such a young child could make the connection between the location of her mother’s car and the lake below. I calmly assured her it had also been checked.
                  Hilary placed a comforting arm around her little sister’s shoulders while I sat on the coffee table in front of them. I fought back tears as I spoke quietly to my daughters. I had to be strong for them. Anything less was unacceptable.
                  When my cell phone rang, my heart leapt with hope. I pulled it from my pocket and glanced at the number. It was Wilcrest. With staggering disappointment, I answered.
                  “David, it’s Wilcrest. We did some research on those cones. The city was out here yesterday doing some road work after all. They mentioned leaving a cone behind. That leads us to believe someone or something forced her off the road. We haven’t found anything, but we’re still dragging the lake.”
                  I waited for Wilcrest to continue, while my girls stared at me with hope in their eyes. I shook my head.
                  “Miranda could have traveled a long way during the night. We have a big search area, David, you know that. You’ve been involved in such searches before, and you know what we’re up against. In the meantime, don’t do anything stupid.”
                  “Like what?” I asked. He didn’t reply. I knew what he meant, though. He meant for me to stay