Violet, but after last time when he got caught, I don’t think he’d try it again.” Henry hoped his voice sounded reassuring as his insides churned. “But,” he continued, “Just in case, I’ll call Captain Miller and get an APB out. Try not to worry. I’ll get back to you.”
Eli had taken Sarah when she was two years old, but he hadn’t been as careful that time. Everyone watched him for months afterwards. If they’d only known when Eli decided he wasn’t under suspicion any longer, he’d started plotting how he’d get away with his daughter the next time—and not get caught—maybe they would’ve expected this. Everyone knew Eli was sly as a fox when needed, and this time would be no different.
Henry thought back to the first time Eli abducted Sarah, and made a silent promise that when he had time he’d beat himself up for letting his guard down, but for now, he had to concentrate on finding Sarah, hopefully, safe and unharmed.
Hours passed before Henry left the station and walked into his parent’s house, finding his mother and sister in the kitchen. “Violet, we put out a nationwide APB, and the FBI has been notified. We’ll find her.”
“She left Judy,” Violet whispered. “Henry, she wouldn’t leave without her doll. She’s never gone anywhere without her.”
“I know, Vi. Try not to worry. We’ll find her.”
Henry had been thinking inside his own head, but he didn’t want to alarm his sister with the unknown, but likely, facts that Eli must’ve waited until everyone had gone to sleep, then slipped in and back out, taking Sarah during the early morning hours. Eli knew what he’d done wrong the first time, and he wouldn’t make those same mistakes twice. Eli had always been cunning and smart, in a dangerous way. He’d never trusted Eli as far as he could throw him…
“Henry!” Violet yelled.
“Sorry, Vi. I was thinking.”
“Where would he take her?” she asked again.
“I don’t know, Violet, but have faith. Okay?” Although dreadfully worried, Henry forced a smile. He tried to act like everything would be fine, but he knew Eli could have as much as a ten hour head start which would make it more difficult to catch him.
Still, he promised Violet they wouldn’t give up the search until Sarah had been found and returned home—safe. “No matter how long it takes, Violet, I won’t give up.”
Violet had called the station daily, asking if Henry had heard any news. After several months she’d started drinking heavily, stating, “Booze is the only thing that drowns my fears, and my sorrows.”
Night after night Violet went out, sometimes not coming home at all which made her parents and her brother worry even more. Jack told her numerous times that drinking didn’t help, but she wouldn’t listen. He’d always said, even as a little girl, “Violet’s head-strong. No one can tell her what to do.”
More time passed without any word. Each day, each week, Violet drank more and more until one day she realized she couldn’t stop. She didn’t want to stop. She’d become a full-blown alcoholic, consumed with grief, sick with alcohol, but she didn’t seem to care.
“I’ve stopped living until my baby is home with me again,” Violet slurred one night after she’d stumbled into the house.
Everyone was worried sick, but no one had the answers on how to help her.
The FBI hadn’t received any legitimate responses to their broadcasts, and they suspected Eli had acquired another vehicle, somehow, and most likely, had changed their appearances. He might’ve dyed their hair, and they felt fairly certain Eli would at least cut Sarah’s long hair.
When Henry heard that Barbara sold her house in Dallas and moved back home to help with Violet, he knew that move wouldn’t be good for the family, but no one had asked his opinion. His sisters had never gotten along in the past, and with Violet out of control, and Barbara also no stranger to alcohol, Henry felt