Melissa left work early the next day as planned and drove to the daycare center. She remembered the woman’s name tag had read Serena. Since Serena seemed to spend the most time with Katie, Melissa felt that if anyone was helping her, it was probably her.
She pulled into the parking lot, choosing a spot far enough from the entrance to see clearly but not so close that she’d be easily recognized if anyone noticed her. All she could do now was hope Serena wasn’t off that day, or this would be a waste of time.
Luck was on her side. Nearly fifteen minutes later, Serena exited the building and got into a large sedan. Melissa followed the heavyset woman about fifteen miles south until she pulled into the lot of an upscale apartment complex.
Melissa parked at a safe distance and watched as Serena climbed the stairs to a second-floor unit. The fact that it was upstairs lowered her suspicion that Katie might be with her. A handicapped person living on an upper floor wasn’t unheard of, but it wasn’t likely. Still, she couldn’t rule it out. The real question was how to prove it. Since she couldn’t exactly peek through a window, a direct approach was her only option—though it would require a few lies.
She got out of her car, walked up the stairs, and knocked on the door Serena had entered. The large Black woman opened it just a few seconds later.
“Yes?”
“Hello, Serena. Do you remember me?”
Serena’s expression shifted rapidly—first surprised, then confused, then curious. “I do. What brings you here, Doctor Goldstein? How did you know where I lived?”
“I received an anonymous email saying that Katie Nyland was living with you. This is the name and address I was given.” Melissa studied Serena’s reaction carefully, scrutinizing it for any trace of deception.
Serena’s eyes widened. “Wow, really? But I haven’t seen Katie in ages. You say you got an anonymous email?”
“Yes,” Melissa replied, already sensing that Serena was genuinely blindsided and had no idea where Katie was.
“Come on in,” Serena said, opening the door wider and stepping aside.
“Thank you.” Melissa had been hoping for such an invitation. Katie might not be able to make a sound, but she could still be somewhere inside. Being allowed in made Melissa more confident that Serena was telling the truth.
“Can I get you anything to drink, Doctor?”
“No thanks. I can’t stay long.”
“I haven’t seen Katie at the Center in a while,” Serena said. “Been wondering what became of her—sweet girl.”
Melissa nodded. “She disappeared.”
“Disappeared?” Serena looked astonished.
“I know it sounds crazy,” Melissa said. She then filled Serena in on everything that had happened since Katie’s disappearance—careful, of course, to leave out the part about how she had treated her.
“Good lord! And then you just got an email saying she was here?”
Melissa nodded, glancing around the living room. “But apparently she isn’t.”
“No, definitely not. But I’ll let you know if I hear anything. I agree with you that someone had to be helping her. She was getting stronger, but there’s no way she could have regained enough to just walk out of your place, much less start a harassment campaign against you. As far as I knew, Katie wasn’t supposed to recover any more mobility than what she had when I last worked with her. And she couldn’t speak or write, so I don’t see how she could have instructed anyone to target you. She wasn’t as locked-in as she used to be, if you know what I mean—but she was still close enough.”
“Yeah, I know. I just can’t think of anyone who could be responsible.”
“Ever find out who that woman was who attacked you?”
Melissa shook her head. “No. I asked my neighbors, but no one knew anyone who fit her description.”
“This really sucks. I wish there was something I could do to help,” Serena said. “She’s got to be somewhere.”
Even though logic suggested it had to be someone else, Melissa’s gut told her Katie was the mastermind. It was too coincidental. No one else had as much reason—or as much desire—to do this to her. Still, she believed Serena was being truthful.
Melissa left Serena’s apartment a few minutes later, convinced Serena wasn’t involved but frustrated that she was back to square one.
Where the hell was Katie Nyland?
ns216.73.216.122da2
and then Add to home screen.