He came toward her with outstretched arms, then hugged her tightly. Her mind told her to resist, but her body didn’t listen, and she felt herself swaddled in his embrace. She clung to him, closing her eyes and taking in the familiar, fusty airplane smell of her childhood. He stroked her hair, and the sensation made her feel sleepy, just like when she was a little girl.
She wished they could go back to how they once were, but then he loosened his grip.
She took a step back.
She hadn’t seen her father in more than a year, at a party for Ethan. He had a few extra wrinkles, but he was a handsome man, even at sixty-five. Kevin had inherited his lean, fit build, though both Aubrey and her brother more closely resembled their mother, with her dark hair and eyes and often-solemn disposition.
“I’m surprised to see you,” she said.
“Did you think I wouldn’t be here for my grandson and family?” His voice reflected hurt.
She backed off, ashamed to have implied that he didn’t care about Ethan. “No, of course not. I didn’t think you could get here so quickly from LA.”
“I would have bought a plane to get here, if I’d had to.”
She believed that. Even though he’d traveled a lot, her father had always put family first, which was one reason why it had been so bewildering to see him turn on her mother so heartlessly eight years ago.
“Have you spoken to Mama?” she asked.
“No. She’s been busy with the police and FBI. I didn’t want to get in the way.” He clasped her hand. “It’s been a long time. Too long.”
“Yes,” she said, feeling the firmness of his grip.
“I’m in shock over this,” he said. “I could barely put one foot in front of the other. But Star’s been my savior. Made all the arrangements to get here.”
Aubrey pulled her hand away. She couldn’t stomach the way her father seemed to worship the woman for whom he’d abandoned his wife.
He and Jackson were the same. Both of them oblivious to the pain they’d caused by succumbing to their self-centered needs.
“I wish you wouldn’t resent her,” her father said. “Star flew over with me. She’s just as worried about Ethan as we are.”
Aubrey felt a visceral loathing. It came on every time Star’s name was mentioned, bringing up a memory of the first time they’d met.
Aubrey had been in her father’s apartment, taking in the view of downtown LA, when she’d realized she wasn’t alone. She had turned to see a ghostlike person in a darkened alcove of the room. Aubrey registered pale skin, flowing white scarves, and a perfectly shaped head with light hair so short it appeared naked. The apparition all but faded away—except for the bright, glassy-blue eyes studying her.
Then Star had stepped forward, arms extended, a smile pasted on her face. Hello, dear, she’d said, her words oozing like poisoned honey from an oleander flower. I would so like us to be friends.
“Please, Aubrey,” her father was saying, “we need to stick together right now. For Ethan’s sake.”
“You’re right,” she said, erasing the vision of Star. She had to try to put old grievances aside and stand by both her parents. She knew how difficult Ethan’s disappearance had to be for her father, too. He doted on his grandson, always sending Aubrey photos of Ethan’s frequent visits to LA.
“I can’t wrap my mind around it,” he said. “Our little man.” His voice quivered, and he ran his fingers through his hair. There was a dark perspiration stain under his arm on his light-blue button-down shirt.
“Do you want to go inside and get some water?” she asked.
“Thanks, but I’ll be okay.” The sun glinted off his white hair as he wiped his eyes with a handkerchief.
There was a spot he’d missed while shaving, near the cleft of his chin.
She remembered how immaculate he’d always been when he would leave to consult with one of the Innocence Projects he was involved with, looking like a movie star in his dark suit and white shirt, carrying the monogrammed cordovan briefcase Mama had gotten him.
She had been so proud of her father in his mission to save the innocent from death row. But at the same time, she was despondent about his leaving—sometimes for weeks at a time.
“Why don’t we sit?” She led him back to the lounge chairs. He looked older, suddenly. Old and tired.
“Have you seen Kevin?” she asked.
He shook his head. “They’d already left for their hotel by the time I arrived.” He put the handkerchief back in his pocket. “But I spoke to the FBI agent in charge. Special Agent Smolleck. I’m glad they’ve been brought in so early.”
“Yes. Me, too.” She didn’t share her negative impression of the FBI agent with him. Maybe Smolleck’s arrogance would be a good thing in getting Ethan back quickly.
“Smolleck told me they’ve set up a couple of phone lines for tips,” her father said. “They’ve got some geek coordinating with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, to get the word out on Facebook and other social media.”
“I’m glad you were able to get him to fill you in,” she said.
“Well, it wasn’t easy. He was more interested in asking me questions, but I’ve always had a knack for getting people to talk to me. At least most people.” He searched her eyes. “I’ve missed you, Princess.” It had been his nickname for her. His Sleeping Beauty princess, though she had never understood why he called her that. Now it occurred to her that he had always known she was closing her eyes to what was around her. “I’ve missed you and me.”
She looked away. He was tugging on her heart, the way he always did, but she was wary of being taken in by his charm once again. “What else did he tell you?” she asked.
Her father let out a soft sigh. “Well, the good news is that the FBI moves very quickly in these situations. They’re evaluating all contingencies, though I’m not sure I necessarily agree with the direction they’re going. They’ve given the immediate family polygraphs.”
Aubrey wondered if that’s where her mother was—taking a lie detector test. “No one in the family would have taken Ethan,” she said.