Reyna stared anxiously out the window as the two cars pulled up into the school.
Several police cars were already parked all around the school, and she could see some officers pass by them, searching for Phoenix.
She rubbed her sweaty, trembling hands together.
Seamus reached out to place a hand on her clasped hands and said, “You’re not alone.
We’re here for you.” She shot him a shaky smile as he stopped the car in front of the office building.
The duo quickly exited the car just as Jeanette and Waylon pulled up from behind them.
All four of them walked into the building at a brisk pace.
The moment they stepped inside, they spotted the principal and Phoenix’s teacher talking with the police.
As soon as they spotted Reyna’s group, the teacher rushed over to them and said, “You’re here.
We’ve been working with the police to locate Phoenix, but they still haven’t found him.” The question that had been about to leave Reyna’s mouth was swallowed down while Seamus demanded, “What were the staff doing?
Was no one watching the kids play during the break?
How could you lose one student?” The teacher flinched before saying, “I assure you that we always have someone watching the children.
We would never leave the children unattended, but there was an incident where a student had gotten hurt.
The staff on duty had to take a moment to treat the injured child.
When they noticed Phoenix had gone missing, it had been time for all the kids to return to class.” “I want a name,” Seamus growled.
Before the teacher could say anything more, the principal hurried over, wiping his bald head with a handkerchief.
He easily stepped in front of the teacher, acting almost like a shield as he plastered a smile onto his face.
“Mr.
Hurst, you’re here.
I apologize for this incident.
I assure you that those involved will be punished for negligence.
I assure you that this kind of behavior is unacceptable,” the man said, completely focused on Seamus.
Jeanette jumped in, firing a series of questions.
“Where were they playing?
Who had he been playing with?
Who saw him last?” The principal’s smile wavered, but he was saved by a police officer who walked up from behind and asked, “Who here is the guardian of the child?” Reyna raised her hand and stepped forward as she said, “I’m the child’s mother.” “Biologically?” the officer asked.
The strange question caught her off guard, and she glanced at Jeanette for help.
Before Jeanette could act, Waylon stepped in front of Reyna and glared at the officer.
“What is it to you?
I have never heard of police asking any if they’re biologically related to the missing person,” Wayon said, looking ready to tear the officer’s mouth apart.
Not wanting Waylon to start a fight with the police, Reyna reached up to place a hand on his shoulder and said, “It’s okay.” He looked like he wanted to argue, but in the end, he backed off.
However, he continued to shoot death glares at the officer who didn’t bat an eye.
“I apologize for the question, but we recently had a freelancer join our team that can locate people as long as they have the victim’s blood or relative’s,” the office said.
She immediately perked up and said, “Yes, I’m biologically his mother.
Who do I need to give blood to?” “The person is back at the station, but we want to first search the area to make sure the child isn’t hiding somewhere on campus,” the officer said.
“Why can’t I just go to the station while you search?” Reyna asked.
The officer grimaced.
“The freelancer is…unique and expensive.
There’s a huge fee for sudden cases, and if they’re forced to take a case they don’t like.” Seamus snapped, “Excuse me?
You would rather risk the possibility that Phoenix might have been kidnapped on the off chance that he might be here just because you don’t want to pay money?” “How much will it cost?
I will pay for it,” Reyna pleaded, clasping her hands together.
She nearly fainted after hearing the number.
It was no small sum.
It would take years of working at the docks and not spending any of it to scrape the money to pay for the freelancer.
She didn’t have that much on her.
How was she going to pay for the freelancer?
She couldn’t just let this opportunity slip by.
“We’ll pay for it,” Jeanette declared as she pulled out her wallet.
“Jeanette—” Reyna started to protest, only for the woman to hold her wallet in front of Reyna’s face.
“I know what you’re going to say, but I’m not going to hear it.
You’re like family to us, so it makes sense for us to help out.
Don’t let your pride get in the way of finding your child,” Jeanette said before showing a credit card to the officer.
Jeanette was right.
Her son’s life would always matter more than her pride or anything else, for that matter.
She would accept anyone’s help, even her ex-husband’s or her old family’s.
The officer held up his hands, refusing to touch the credit card, as he said, “Ma’am, we can’t do that.
It can be considered a bribe.” Jeanette shoved the credit card into the officer’s chest and said, “You better take this money or else.” Seeing the situation was spiraling, Reyna quickly suggested, “How about you take us to the station so we can talk with the freelancer?
I’m sure there’s something in his contract that allows him to take odd jobs, and you wouldn’t get in trouble if we go to the source directly.” The officer hesitated, looking at his partner for help.
All he got was a shrug in return, and the officer grimaced.
After some deliberation, the officer sighed as he rubbed the back of his neck.
“Okay, I’ll take you to the station, but it has to be cleared with my superior first,” the officer said.
That was fine with her.
If it would allow her to find her child, she would gladly do it.
She prayed that the officer’s superior would be soft-hearted and allow her to speak with the freelancer.