“Why didn’t Frank warn me?” I asked quietly.
Mrs. Shaw chose her words carefully.
“He was concentrating on closing the doors while the individual approached.”
“But I was standing there.”
“I understand.”
“He could have shouted a warning.”
“He actually did shout.”
I lifted my head.
Then she revealed something I hadn’t expected.
“Mrs. Carter, his warning wasn’t directed at you.”
Everything around me seemed suddenly quiet.
I remembered Frank’s expression.
His extended arm.
Those four unmistakable words.
You’re not taking her.
Deputy Reed leaned slightly closer.
“Mrs. Carter, the individual from Oak Street was behind you when Mr. Lawson shouted.”
I looked directly at him.
“When the driver said, ‘You’re not taking her,’ he wasn’t speaking to you.”
I raised a hand over my mouth.
For nearly an hour, I’d believed Frank Lawson had deliberately kept my daughter from me.
But his warning had been directed toward someone I hadn’t even realized was nearby.
