Free Vanished by Margaret Daley Page A

Buddy.” Dressed still in his business suit, Ross loosened his tie with a frustrated jerk.
    â€œWhere’s the steak?” J.T. came up to the other side of Madison.
    â€œI left it on the ground while I took my dog to the vet. I’m sorry to bother you with this—” Ross peered again at his wife “—but we remembered you asking if we were home around six yesterday when Buddy was heard barking. There probably isn’t any connection to Buddy’s death and Ashley’s kidnapping, but I didn’t want to be the judge of that.” Ross’s gaze skimmed from J.T. to Madison. “I mean what if our dog saw the kidnapper?”
    Her frown deepening, Jill stood a step back from her husband. “I doubt it, Ross.”
    â€œI’m glad you came here and reported Buddy’s death. You never know what’s important and what isn’t. This might have something to do with Ashley’s disappearance.”
    When J.T. spoke, Ross refocused on him. “Good. I wanted to help search earlier, but Susan said there were enough searchers, so we went on to work. If there is anything I can do, please let me know.”
    â€œDerek, I’d like you to follow Ross home, bag the steak and have a look around the yard. We’ll have the lab see what kind of poison was used.”
    After the deputy and J.T.’s neighbor left, Madison turned to J.T. “You think the dog’s poisoning has something to do with Ashley?”
    He shrugged. “I’m not ignoring anything unusual happening. It probably doesn’t, but we don’t have too many pets poisoned in Crystal Springs.” J.T. removed his keys from his pocket. “If I’m not back before Derek, have him log the steak in and send it to the lab.”
    J.T. strode to the door. Madison sagged against the counter. He might not be ready to admit he was tired, but she was. Her eyes burned and her body felt as though she was carrying around an extra twenty pounds. She buried her face in her hands and ground her palms into her eyes.
    Father, I need strength and energy to keep going.
    She shoved away from the counter and made a detour to the coffeepot. She filled a large mug with the steaming black brew, then crossed the room to Rachel to complete the list of criminals who could possibly hold a grudge against J.T.
    Too many from what Rachel had compiled so far. It would take days—days they didn’t have—to track down all these people.
    Day two, 7:30 p.m.: Ashley missing twenty-five hours
    â€œDaddy!” Kim threw herself into J.T.’s arms the second she saw him in the Fitzpatricks’ living room.
    He hugged her to him and kissed the top of her head. “I really appreciated the coleslaw.”
    She leaned back. “I made it because I know how much you like it.”
    â€œWell, I ate every last bite of it. Thank you, honey.”
    The smile that entered his daughter’s eyes for a few seconds made this trip worth every minute away from Ashley’s investigation. Somehow he had to find his youngest and yet give his other two children the support and comfort they needed.
    Lord, please give me the fortitude my family needs.
    â€œAre we going home?”
    â€œHoney, I’ll be staying at the station again tonight. I need you to stay with Emma and Colin for one more night.”
    â€œBut, Daddy, I want to go home.”
    â€œI know, baby. But I don’t want you there without me and there’s too much I need to do right now.”
    â€œI want to help. Let me come to the station.”
    J.T. remembered what Madison had said earlier. “How about tomorrow? I could use you to answer the phones and help Susan out. Will you?”
    Her expression brightened. “Yes. Anything. I—I…”
    â€œWhat?”
    Shaking her head, she stepped out of his embrace. “Nothing. It’s not important.”
    â€œIf it’s important to you, it’s important to