“No.”
His voice softened.
“I mean really find her.”
“We’ve checked the store.”
“Check places a person could be unable to answer.”
I frowned.
“What do you mean?”
“Bathrooms.”
“Fitting rooms.”
“Pharmacy.”
“First-aid.”
“Parking lot between cars.”
“Not just somebody shopping.”
That landed.
Marcus immediately lifted his radio.
“Medical possibility.”
He ordered teams to recheck restrooms and pharmacy.
Elias looked at Lucy.
“Your mommy sick sometimes?”
Lucy nodded.
My stomach dropped.
“What kind of sick?”
She pressed her cheek against his vest.
“Shaky.”
I turned toward Marcus.
“Diabetes?”
“Maybe.”
I crouched again.
“Lucy, does Mommy take medicine?”
“Yes.”
“Shots?”
She nodded.
Marcus swore under his breath.
He radioed again.
“Urgent recheck. Adult female, possible diabetic episode.”
Derek seemed irritated that the situation was changing direction without him.
“This still doesn’t explain him refusing to cooperate.”
Elias looked at him.
“My explanation is five years old and scared.”
Derek said:
“You’re enjoying this.”
For the first time, real anger appeared in Elias.
His head lifted slowly.
“What?”
“This attention.”
Derek gestured toward the phones.
“Playing protector.”
Elias stared at him.
Then looked toward the people filming.
Something like disgust crossed his face.
“You think I want cameras?”
“You’re making a show.”
Elias pulled his sleeve down over the purple bracelet.
“Kid doesn’t need a show.”
The teenager filming muttered:
“Then let her go.”
Lucy heard him.
She began crying again.
Elias turned slightly.
“Hey.”
His voice changed immediately.
Gentle.
“Don’t listen to them.”
Lucy whispered:
“Are you leaving?”
“No.”
“Promise?”
“I already promised.”
“Promise again.”
His eyes closed briefly.
“I promise again.”
Derek stepped forward.
“Sir, last chance.”
Elias looked up.
“For what?”
“To cooperate voluntarily.”
“With what?”
“Stand and step away from the child.”
“No.”
The store seemed to inhale collectively.
Derek reached for his radio.
“We’ll let police handle it.”
Elias nodded.
“Good.”
That answer confused him.
“You’re okay with police coming?”
“Very.”
Derek looked almost disappointed.
People expecting guilt often become irritated when they get calm instead.
At 3:38, pharmacy technician Lena Park’s voice burst through Marcus’s radio.
“Marcus, we found someone.”
Everything stopped.
“Where?”
“Women’s restroom near pharmacy.”
“Adult female.”
“Unresponsive but breathing.”
Lucy lifted her head.
“Mommy?”
Marcus spoke quickly.
“Possible.”