Chapter 4. Paw Print

“What are you doing here?”

That’s what Willow’s boss, Erica, had said after closing her office door as Willow entered. The woman hugged Willow sympathetically; before, she had been the coldest and most heartless boss ever.

“I’m really in shock,” Erica continued. “Are you all right, dear?”

Willow just nodded awkwardly. “I guess.”

Erica gestured for Willow to sit down and hurriedly took the chair behind the dark brown polished wooden table. The look in the superior’s eyes was so worried when she saw Willow’s condition, which could not be considered healthy. Willow’s eyes were still puffy from crying last night. And she was dressed too casually for the office.

“Why are you going to work? It would be best if you were on break,” Erica snapped.

“I don’t know where else to go. I can’t stay home because the police are still investigating.” Willow tried to control her emotions again. She didn’t want to shed tears for the umpteenth time.

“I understand,” Erica nodded. “But you need to focus on the case. At least for a few days or weeks until you feel much better.”

“I don’t know, Mrs. Hobbs.” Willow shrugged. “Waiting is frustrating.”

There was a hesitation in Erica’s eyes to continue the conversation. She was actually confused because she had heard the bad news about Willow. That Willow’s daughter had been kidnapped by a gang out of nowhere. Then Willow had defended herself and killed one of the gang, and Charlotte, the nanny, had also been victimized.

One way for Willow to stay sane was to escape to the office.

But Erica also had to think about the reputation of the office and the people who worked there. The news about Willow had already spread and was broadcast on local television. If Willow continued to work as usual, the word would be all over her. Erica didn’t want that to bother the other employees.

“I understand your situation, Willow. But I suggest you take some time off. Being in the office won’t really stabilize your condition. You’re in shock,” Erica said.

Was it necessary for Erica to prepare Willow’s temporary accommodations and needs so that she could be in and out of the office and avoid problems in the future? That was what the fifty-year-old woman had in mind.

Willow had been with the company for more than a decade. One of the model employees, not flashy, but quite good. Although Erica rarely interacted with Willow, she knew her employee was never a problem. Erica’s sympathies were naturally aroused when she received the news of the incident.

“Do you have any relatives or anyone who can stay with you for a while?” asked Erica, with the same question Shawn Jensen had asked last night.

Willow just shook her head. “No, Mrs. Hobbs. I’m here alone.”

Erica wet her lips. “I’m giving you a week off. Do you understand, Willow? You can stay at the Riverview Lodge on the Lee River. Our family often vacations there.”

Of course, Willow knew about Riverview, an exclusive and private place. The lodge overlooks the river. It is surrounded by forest. Very relaxed, beautiful, peaceful. Spooky, a little.

Willow’s brow furrowed. “But the police have asked me to stay in town. Not to go anywhere, especially alone. It’s for my safety. They say.”

Erica looked troubled, a worried look on her face. “Gosh, I didn’t think of it that way.”

“I’m going to talk to the detective on my case. If I should stay away from the office, I’ll stay at the hotel,” Willow interrupted.

“Call me when the detective gives you permission. You can leave at any time. I’ll send you the address of the cabin.”

“Thank you,” Willow nodded.

Wasting no time, Willow hurried out of Erica’s office and unpacked in the tiny cubicle where she worked. She left the office in a hurry, her head down. People seemed to be whispering, and no one dared to approach Willow. At least to offer sympathy or something. Unfortunately, no, Willow just became the subject of their gossip.

***

Willow entered the hotel lobby and was immediately approached by the receptionist. The woman signaled Willow that someone was waiting for her in the lobby lounge. She nodded and hurried into the waiting room, where she saw Shawn.

The man was typing on his cell phone, and when he saw Willow coming, he immediately put the phone in his jacket pocket.

“I didn’t know you were leaving,” Shawn said.

“To the office,” Willow explained. “But my boss gave me a week off after arriving.”

Shawn just blinked and nodded briefly. Then Willow sat down across from him.

“She asked me to get away for a while and offered me a place near the Lee River,” Willow said.

“Actually, as long as someone can accompany you and you can be easily contacted, it’s not a problem.”

“Can’t I just be alone?”

Shawn didn’t answer and just cleared his throat quietly. The man looked briefly at the receptionist and then back at Willow.

“We found tracks around your house. Strange tracks,” Shawn said. “More like animal footprints. And there’s more than one, we’re not sure yet.”

“And Zoey?”

“Surveillance cameras everywhere haven’t picked up Zoey.”

Willow buried her head in her hands and sobbed uncontrollably. She could not think positively that the worst would not happen. She wasn’t blind to many terrible things happening to kidnapped girls.

“Mrs. Anberline,” Shawn called.

“Don’t tell me to calm down! You don’t know what it’s like to lose your child.”

“I do.”

For a brief, silent moment, Willow paused, controlling her emotions. She stared intently at the detective, probably in his late thirties.

“I lost my son in an accident. That’s what they said because the case wasn’t solved.” Shawn cleared his throat. “So I know how you feel.”

“Sorry, my condolences.”

Shawn gave a crooked smile. “It’s okay. So, are you ready for the questions I will ask you?” Shawn asked suddenly.

“What kind of questions?”

“Have you ever suspected anyone before? Or is someone following you? Threaten you?”

Willow shook her head weakly. “Nothing.”

“So you don’t have a boyfriend?”

“Is that part of your investigation?”

Shawn just shook his head and smiled again. “I’m sorry.”

The detective never meant to be rude. But who wouldn’t be attracted to a woman like Willow?

She had a well-proportioned body with an exotic tan. Her back-length wavy hair was chestnut, which she always wore in a bun, revealing the free nape of her neck. Willow is different from most women in town. She moved to the outskirts of Seattle in search of a new life and peace. The peace lasted only six to seven years. And now her life was shattered again.

“And Zoey’s father?” Shawn asked cautiously. “I don’t want to invade your privacy, but this is important.”

“I haven’t seen him since I was pregnant with Zoey. I don’t know where he is,” Willow replied matter-of-factly.

Shawn nodded in understanding. “All right. I’ll let you know if there are any new leads immediately.”

“Thank you, Detective Jensen.”

“About you going into seclusion for a week. I’ll ask my partners to look after you. It’s the procedure.”

“Okay.”