SEVENTY

The Search Bar

Hayden had never seen a parent less involved in a child’s life than Lolita’s parents. He supposed he shouldn’t be surprised, considering his own family practically abandoned him for being the black sheep—asides from other monumental disgrace he usually brought them. But Lolita was different. She was adorable and sweet. How would anyone not love her, not worry about her, not want to know where she was at all times? Samantha wasn’t even family and she was going crazy with worry. A good thing Hayden had been one of the last persons who saw Samantha; it just went out to prove his theory about Lolita being kidnapped and now Samantha was missing too.

“She isn’t kidnapped,” Mrs. Adams said. “I assure you, our daughter is fine. We spoke on the phone the day before yesterday.”

“Is that so?” Hayden stared at her, not believing a single word. “You spoke to her two days ago and she said she was fine? Are you sure she was the one you spoke to?”

Mrs. Adams was clearly offended. “I th