A Desperate Search for Any Clue

Samantha and Mr. Dalton sat in the car, pacing and worrying about Jennifer. They called neighbors, friends, and even hospitals, desperate for information. Mrs. Dalton’s absence was becoming more alarming by the hour.

Could she have dropped the ring accidentally? Was she already home, unaware of the chaos her missing ring had caused? Their contemplation was broken by a police officer’s knock on the window, pulling Samantha back into a reality she hadn’t yet come to terms with. The officer asked to speak to Mr. Dalton, and Samantha felt her stomach drop. What had they found?

Next: Samantha’s statement stretched into hours.