But deep inside, Rowan knew West wasn’t in the neighborhood; Adam had taken him.
Iris’s car wasn’t there, but Rowan knew the twins would arrive soon. Her house was closer to their parents’ home than the salon was.
“How are you?” Evan pulled her into his arms for a hug before they walked up the drive, then gave Thor a pat.
“I’m angry,” said Rowan. He smelled good, and she relaxed into him, resting her overactive brain for a few seconds. “I’m going to kill him.”
“You’ll have to wait in line,” said Evan. “I would like a few minutes alone with him too.”
“Ivy will take care of it before either of us. She may be small, but she’s a mama bear when it comes to West.”
“As she should be.” Evan looked up the driveway at her parents and a deputy. Malcolm was keeping his distance from the group, hovering near the garage, watching the deputy with a suspicious gaze. “Let’s find out what they know so far.” He took her hand, and they went to join the group.
Her mom’s eyes were red and her lashes wet. Restrained fury showed in her father’s gaze. “Little bastard,” he said. “I never liked him.”
Evan asked if a description of Adam and West had been put out yet.
“Yes,” said the deputy. “I got a recent photo of West from the Wolffs and they described what he is wearing. We sent a unit to knock on the father’s door, but no one is there. No car either. We put out a BOLO on the make, model, and color of Adam Thornton’s vehicle, and the FBI is sending over an agent.”
Iris’s Jeep parked at the curb, and Ivy was out the door before the vehicle was turned off. The deputy blinked as Ivy ran up the driveway in a navy dress with a full skirt, looking like a movie star from the 1950s with her hair perfectly coiffed. Her red lipstick was half-gone, and mascara was smeared under her eyes.
Her angry gaze was focused on Rowan. “How dare you tell Iris to steal my keys! I have every right to go confront that bastard and get my boy back!”
Rowan held up a hand. “The police already went to Adam’s house. He’s not there.”
Ivy opened and closed her mouth, frustration in her eyes. “But still—”
“I knew you’d be in no condition to drive and would try to go there anyway. I’d tell Iris to do it again too.”
Her sister pressed her lips together, but her eyes still snapped with anger.
“Rowan told your mom to take my keys too,” said her dad. He snorted. “It actually was a good thing. I was ready to go confront the asshole.”
Malcolm had moved closer to the group when Ivy arrived. His hands were thrust in his pockets, and a haunted look was in his eyes. Rowan met his gaze, seeing he was uncomfortable and worried but clearly had some desire to connect with the family. She took his hand and squeezed.
“I’m sorry, Ivy,” he said quietly.
“Thanks, Malcolm,” Ivy said. “You’re lucky you’ve never met the jerk.”
Their mom hugged Ivy. “I’m so sorry, honey. It’s all my fault. You warned me, and I thought I was being so careful.”
“It’s not your fault,” Ivy and her dad said at the same time. Harrison put a hand on his wife’s shoulder and squeezed.
“We’ll find him,” her dad promised.
“Did you come from work?” the deputy asked Ivy, who nodded. “Could West be at your house? Sometimes kids get it in their heads that they want to be somewhere else and just go.”
“Only if he had wings,” Ivy snapped. “I live on the other side of town.”
“Your parents said he doesn’t have a close friend in this neighborhood, correct?”
“Yes. There are very few kids here.”
Rowan checked the deputies knocking on doors. They’d moved down two more houses. “I’d like to start a search with Thor now,” she told the deputy.
He nodded. “I’ve seen you and your dog work before.”
“Do you have something of West’s?” she asked her mother.
“Yes, I haven’t done his laundry from when he stayed the other day.” Her mother dashed into the house.
Rowan looked at her family. “I’d like everyone to move inside to give Thor room to work without distractions. We’ll start in the backyard since that’s where Mom said West was last.” They went into the house, and Miriam appeared with a small pair of tan shorts. Evan went with her as Rowan led Thor out back onto the deck and showed him the shorts. Thor sniffed them several times.