When Officer Woods and his team arrived at the docks, the boat was gone. All that remained was Charlotte's car.
Cole inspected the vehicle and returned, dialing a number. "Captain, this looks like Miss Sterling's car, but her phone is off!"
Officer Woods's face hardened. "Of course they'd make her turn it off." He ordered the others to search the area for clues.
A few minutes later, a female officer returned with a witness. "Captain Woods, he says he saw the owner of this car get on a boat."
The witness, a fisherman in his fifties, seemed a bit dazed by the police presence. "Yeah, I saw it. The boat was already here when I arrived this morning to fish. It just left a little while ago. I saw the woman get on but didn't see her get off. Figured she knew them."
"What time was that?"
"Around nine-thirty. That's when I usually come down here. It was strange, though. There were a few foreign guys on that boat, which is why it stuck in my mind."
After the witness gave his statement, Officer Woods immediately called the Harbor & Maritime Commission. He left a few officers to continue canvassing the area while the rest went to meet with the Bureau of Waterways. He himself sped back to the station.
At that moment, in Eldermere City, at the Rayburn Group headquarters.
Sean took a call. Whatever the person on the other end said made his face tighten with alarm. "Alright, I understand."
He hung up and immediately dialed another number. "Wesley, Neely has Lottie. Get to Riverspire City now. I don't care what it takes, bring her back safely!"
After the call, Sean’s legs gave out. He sank into his chair and buried his face in his hands, overcome with guilt.
After the explosion, he'd been so swamped with Rayburn family affairs that he'd been unable to get away. He had wanted her to stay with the Donovans, but she had insisted on staying in Riverspire City to build her career, and he hadn't pushed it.
If he had known this would happen, he would have dragged her back with him.
…
On the boat.

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