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“That doesn’t surprise me,” Johnny replied. He’d hoped the police would be able to identify the thief, but he wasn’t shocked that it hadn’t happened. “Whoever this is, he’s damned smart.”

“You got that right. Well, it’s all yours,” Beau said.

“Thanks, Chief Breaux,” Johnny replied. As the chief walked back into the office, Johnny backed his truck up and hooked it up the trailer. He was about to drive out of the bay when Beau stepped back outside and waved him down.

Johnny stopped and rolled down his window as Beau approached.

“I just got a call. Something has happened at Mimi’s place.”

“Something has happened?” Johnny echoed as he stared at the police chief.

Beau nodded, his features grim. “It was Gramps who called in, but he was so hysterical it was difficult to understand exactly what’s happened. All I got was Mimi was gone. I’ll get a bunch of men together and head over there right now. I know you’re close to Gramps and Danny, so you might want to go there, too.” Beau spoke with an urgency that whipped up the same feelings inside Johnny.

“I’ll head there right now,” he replied and quickly turned his truck and trailer toward Main Street.

His heart beat a rhythm of horror. Mimi gone? What exactly did that mean? What was happening? Gone? Gone where…how? Maybe Beau had misunderstood Gramps.

Johnny stomped on the gas. Despite the burden of the trailer, he sped down the street toward the swamp.

He tried not to speculate on what had happened. He’d only make himself crazy. He just needed to get there as quickly as possible and find out what was going on.

Several sirens sounded from behind him as he reached the parking area in front of the swamp entrance. Beau pulled up, followed by two patrol cars.

Johnny let the officers go ahead of him on the path, but he followed closely at their heels, fear flooding his veins with an icy chill. There had to be some sort of mistake. They’d all go into the shanty, and Mimi would be there. Where else would she be?

However, as he followed the officers into the shanty, Danny ran to his arms. “Johnny, a bad man took my mommy away,” he said tearfully.

Johnny’s heart crashed against his ribs. He picked up the crying boy and sat on the sofa with him in his lap. “Don’t cry, Danny. We’re going to find her. Look at all the policemen who are here. They’re going to find your mommy and bring her back here where she belongs.”

Danny melted against Johnny’s chest. Johnny patted his back, and his crying became mere sniffles. Johnny then focused on the conversation going on between Gramps and Beau.

Gramps looked like he had aged ten years since last night. His face was haggard with red-rimmed eyes. “This is all my fault,” he said mournfully. “I went outside earlier in the day to visit with Jed LeBlanc, and I forgot to lock the door when I came back inside.”

“Don’t beat yourself up, Gramps,” Beau replied. “I imagine the perpetrator would have come inside whether the door was locked or unlocked.”

“He had a gun,” Gramps said, making Johnny’s blood freeze in his veins. “And before he took her, he gave her an injection of some kind that made her fall unconscious within seconds. Then, when she was about to fall to the ground, he scooped her up in his arms and ran out.” Tears filled the old man’s eyes. “I thought about trying to follow, but I didn’t know how dangerous he might be, and I knew somebody needed to be here for Danny.” He scrubbed at his eyes before new tears could fall.

Beau spent the next fifteen minutes asking Gramps about the man and having Gramps repeat exactly what had happened. All the while Johnny wanted to scream for somebody, for everybody to tear up the swamp to find her.

Finally, Beau called for more men and directed them to go to River’s, Jean-Luc’s and Gus’s shanties.

Danny had apparently cried himself into exhaustion; he had fallen asleep against Johnny’s chest. Johnny got up and gently laid him on the sofa. He quickly went into Danny’s bedroom and grabbed Mr. Wiggles, then placed the bunny next to Danny. Hopefully the stuffed animal would be a source of comfort for him while Mimi was gone.

“Where do you want me?” he asked Beau. He needed to do something…anything to help find her. God, this was a total nightmare. The only problem was he couldn’t awaken from it.

“Out of the way,” Beau replied briskly. “In fact, I think it’s best you stay right here with Gramps and Danny.”

“Please, Johnny. I know you want to rush out there and search for her, but Danny needs you here, and honestly so do I,” Gramps said. “Let the police do their jobs.”

Johnny released a deep sigh and gazed at his son. Danny would be upset when he awakened and his mommy was still missing. Even though Danny didn’t know Johnny was his father, Johnny knew the little boy looked at him like a father. If he could provide a mere measure of loving support for the little boy, then this was where he needed to be.

“I’ll stay here,” he said to Beau.

“I’ll keep you in the loop as much as possible,” the lawman said. “I’m going to head back to the station. Trust me, I’m going to do everything in my power to find her.”

“Thank you, Chief Breaux,” Gramps said. “Please bring her home.”

Within minutes, Beau was gone. Johnny scooted down on the sofa to sit at Danny’s feet. They had to find her…they just had to. Danny needed his mother, and Johnny and Gramps desperately needed Mimi.