CA 50.7 Little Girl Lost by Debra Webb Read Free Book Online Page A

head.
    How many times had she watched him leave for work in the morning? Thousands.
    With the taste of his kiss lingering on her lips and Sophie in her arms, she had waved to him, then watched until he was completely out of sight.
    But that was a long time ago. When they'd been a family.
    She licked her lips. Whatever crazy urge had driven her to kiss him, she was glad she had.
    Since arriving at the institute, Jenna had filled out all the required forms, using her fake identity of course. Staying focused on such mundane matters proved challenging. Paul had assured her that the Colby Agency would attempt to glean any available information on Reginald Waters and the Wallace Institute. He had also promised that if she were able to get a DNA sample from the little girl, the agency's contacts would ensure speedy analysis.
    She couldn't deny being immensely thankful for the assistance. She'd asked him to stay and he had. Still, sharing the same space with him last night had been completely nerve-racking. By the time she'd fallen asleep the entire room had been filled with his scent.. .with him. And, if she were completely honest with herself, she had missed him so, so much.
    As true as that was, they could never be together unless he came to terms with the fact that Jenna would never give up on finding their daughter.
    Who was she kidding? He had signed those divorce papers. He wanted a new life. Had he found someone else? Her heart caught on a pang so fierce it took her breath. After all, she was the one who'd kissed him on the lips. His kiss had been a chaste peck on the cheek. He might not feel anything like desire for her anymore. Why wouldn't he find someone else? Paul was a handsome man in the prime of his life. He had a right to want to share his life with someone. Just as she had the right to focus all her energies on her quest.
    "Miss Thomas?"
    Jenna snapped from the disturbing thoughts and forced a smile into place. "Yes."
    "I'm Mrs. Hancock, the administrator's head of research." She offered her hand. "I'll be taking you on a tour of the institute before turning you loose with your class."
    Jenna shook her hand. "Thank you, Mrs. Hancock." She wondered if this was the administrator's wife. Her face seemed a lot kinder than her boss's.
    As they moved along the bland white corridors Jenna realized that the institute wasn't nearly so large as she had thought. There were six classrooms, a small gymnasium, a cafeteria and twelve resident rooms. Only seven of the resident rooms were labeled with a student's name.
    Even more strange, there now appeared to be no other employees besides the three who worked the attendant's station on the second floor, two cafeteria employees, the Hancocks and their receptionist. What had happened to the other staff she'd seen when'd she come for her interview?
    Finally, Mrs. Hancock directed her to the same classroom where Jenna had first met the children.
    "They're waiting for you." The woman smiled but it was as fake as Jenna's ID. Maybe Jenna had read her wrong. Maybe there was nothing nice or kind about her.
    After the woman had walked away, Jenna steeled herself for entering the classroom. Would she scream today? Jenna hoped not. Diamond had asked for her. Surely that meant she liked her, though the idea that some memory from seven years ago might surface was too much to hope for.
    Particularly when Jenna couldn't say for sure just yet that this was her daughter.
    She watched a moment longer through the large viewing window. Doubt and fear started to crowd in on her, but she pushed the feelings away. This little girl, this Diamond, looked so very much like Sophie. It could be her.
    It had to be her.
    Jenna couldn't let her emotions get the better of her. She had to do this right. Logic and strategy were essential. With a deep breath, she opened the door and stepped inside.
    No one bothered to look up from their activities. Jenna walked slowly around the table and considered what each child