Searching blindly in the dark was pointless. Thaddeus convinced Evadne to go back inside the vi to warm up while he mobilized his men and coordinated with Jareth to organize a search party.


    They sat on the sofa together, not on opposite ends as before, but close, as if drawn by an invisible maic force. Neither of them knew who had moved first.


    But Evadne was in no state for romance. She sat huddled, her arms wrapped around herself, still wearing the cold, damp down jacket. An aura of icy dread emanated from her. She listened silently as Thaddeus made calls, methodically deploying his teams.


    Ordinarily, his calm, collected presence would have been enough to soothe her. But this time, her mind was a chaotic mess, her heart feeling as if it were being torn apart by countless sharp ws. The pain radiated through her chilled body, and the crushing anxiety made it almost impossible to breathe.


    "Mrs. Abernathy, you must take off that coat, or you''ll catch a cold!" Alva bustled over with a cup of hot tea. "Drink this while it''s hot. It''ll warm you up."


    Evadne''s lips trembled. "I''m fine. Give it to Mr. Abernathy."


    "He''s tough as nails," Alva scoffed. "As a boy, he''d roll around in the snow, and he used to go winter swimming in theke on the military base. You don''t need to worry about him!"


    Thaddeus, who was on the phone with Jareth, nced over at Evadne. Her delicate face waspletely devoid of color. Though she was clearly trying to hold herself together, her body, wrapped in the white jacket, was trembling slightly. She looked like a fragile ice sculpture, ready to shatter with the slightest gust of wind.


    Ending the call, Thaddeus''s voice was low and warm. "Jareth is on his way. Don''t worry. Ms. Archer is strong; she''ll be okay."


    "Thank you, Mr. Abernathy." Evadne offered the cup to him.


    "You don''t have to."


    Thaddeus looked down and saw the lingering traces of frostbite on her once- wless hands. His heart constricted, a bitter ache spreading through his chest


    if it were being hollowed out from the inside. He opened his mouth, wanting to ask if her hands still hurt.


    But Evadne spoke first. "Jareth ising now?"


    "Yes," he nodded.


    "What about Mari? Will she be alright on her own?"


    "Mari''s not a child anymore. After everything she''s been through, she''s be more independent and resilient. Besides, Dean is with her. She''ll be fine." Thaddeus''s brow furrowed as he reached over and unzipped her jacket. "It''s warm in here. Wearing a cold coat will only make you sick."


    Evadne''sshes drooped obediently, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts that left her feeling numb. As the


    jacket felt open, the soft, pale silk of


    ver


    her nightgown was rev the


    glowing in the dim light light of the


    evening. Her dark, wavy hair partially veiled the gentle curve of her chest, creating an alluringly innocent yet sensual picture.


    Thaddeus''s spine went rigid, and he swallowed hard.


    It was only then that Evadne realized she was wearing nothing but the whisper-thin nightgown. She quickly pulled thepels together, her eyes darting down in embarrassment. They had been husband and wife, lovers who had known each other in the most intimate ways possible And yet, that fluttering,


    heart-pounding sensation was still there, as if they were two innocent teenagers experiencing their first blush of love.


    Alva, ever discreet, had already slipped away.


    "Thest time Elsie called you, what did she say?" Thaddeus asked, his voice a little hoarse as he fought to regain hisposure.


    "Nothing... I don''t think she had the chance." Evadne recalled the loud bang, and


    a chill ran down her spine, her lips paling. "It sounded like her phone was dropped


    or fell somewhere. I heard a series of tumbling noises, and then the call cut off. That''s all I know."


    "It''s nearly dawn. Why would she be out alone at this hour, and why would she call you?" Thaddeus''s brows drew together, his mind focusing on the motive, the key to the problem. "If she was in danger, she could have called the police first. Or Elvis and Aaron. Why you?"


    Evadne''s lips pressed into a thin, pale line as she fell into a contemtive silence. She had been wondering the same thing.


    "Her motive is crucial," Thaddeus


    continued, his tone deepening. "Only by understanding why she did what she did can we trace her


    movements and figure out what happened the police might not take a missing person report until forty-eight hours have passed, but we need their help now. Ms. Ashbourne, you need to contact Aaron immediately. Have him pull traffic camera footage to track Elsie''s movements."