Page 105 of The Vanished

“Remember what I said about sacrifice and responsibility?”

“You’re an awful wet blanket, Rory Sullivan.”

“Not all the time. I know how to enjoy myself.”

“Go on, then—prove it,” Honor said.

“Come to my cottage when the party’s over. If ye’ve the nerve,” Rory said.

He rested a hand at the small of her back and steered her inside, but not before Honor whispered, “Challenge accepted.”

SEVENTY-TWO

SEPTEMBER 2023

London

“I really don’t think you should take Max with you,” Gabe said when Quinn informed him of their plan to go to Cornwall after Jude had left. “Imagine his disappointment if Logan is not there.”

“I’m afraid he’s going to run off again,” Quinn said. “I only want to keep him safe.”

“Leave Max with me. I have a staff meeting at nine, but then I can skip out for a few hours. I will take Max to the Natural History Museum.”

“Gabe, you can’t keep doing this.”

“So, what do you suggest?”

Quinn considered the problem. Gabe was right. Max would be heartbroken if Logan wasn’t there. But what was the alternative? She didn’t think it was safe to take Max to nursery, and Ruth Watley had asked her not to bring him in as long as there was the possibility of another kidnapping attempt. And whoever had tried to take him was still out there, just waiting for them to lower their guard and offer her an opportunity.

“Daisy,” she finally announced triumphantly. “I can ask her to mind Max for a few hours.”

Gabe nodded. “That a good idea.”

Max adored his cousin, and Daisy was at a loose end until school started next week. She had recently returned from the States and was about to start at University College London, where she was planning to pursue a law degree. Quinn trusted Daisy implicitly and knew that she would take good care of the little boy. But she didn’t think Daisy and Max should go to a crowded public place where Max could be snatched. It would be best if they spent the day at home. There was plenty they could do indoors or in the garden.

“Dad,” Mia called from upstairs. “Dad, Alex is being mean to me.”

“I am not,” Alex hollered.

“Here we go,” Gabe grumbled and headed upstairs.

Quinn was just about to ring Daisy when her mobile vibrated. It was Drew, so she answered immediately.

“Drew, are you still in the Czech Republic?”

“No, I’m back,” he said. “Just got in.”

“Were you able to find anything out?”

The heavy sigh told its own story. “Chrissy was estranged from her parents, which explains why she didn’t return home after Max was born, but they reconciled when she became ill. Her mum said Chrissy was diagnosed with uterine cancer and had surgery and follow-up treatment in London, but, once her course of chemo came to an end, she came home.”

“Were you able to speak to her?” Quinn asked.

“The cancer had metastasized. Chrissy died four months ago. She’s buried in Kladno. I saw her grave.”

“Oh my God,” Quinn exclaimed. “Poor Chrissy. She was so young.”

“Thirty-one. According to Chrissy’s mum, her partner’s name was Ronnie, but she never knew his surname. He worked in construction.”