Esme and Eunice often went to the store together and left Teagan in charge. It was one of their few outings without the kids, and they looked forward to it. Jock would never fault them for that.

“It’s okay, girls, we’ll get Teagan back home. I want you guys to go play in your rooms, okay?”

The four remaining children frowned, not wanting to leave out of worry for their sister.

“Everything’s fine. We got this,” Jock insisted.

“We’ll entertain them. Grab your plates. We’ll have a picnic upstairs in the playroom.” Esme stood and Eunice followed her. “Come on, kids, we’re going to play a board game.” The kids trailed after the older women. With one last soulful look in our direction, Anna hurried to join her siblings.

“Do you really think she went with her mother, or did she sneak off somewhere?” I wondered out loud.

Jock scowled at me, as if I’d read his mind and stated what he’d been concerned about. “I don’t know which one would be worse.” He picked up his phone and dialed Teagan. No answer. Then he tried Bria.

“Bria, is Teagan with you?” Jock surprised me and put the phone on speaker so Axel and I could hear. He probably wanted witnesses to the conversation.

“I have no idea whatsh you’re talking about. You can’t keep track of our daughter? Fine father you are.” Despite Bria’s obvious state of drunkenness, Jock bristled at the accusation.

“She’s not with you? This is serious. I need to know if you’ve seen her.”

“Nope. Don’t bother me again.” The phone went dead.

“Fuck,” Jock swore and raked his hand through his hair, leaving it standing on end. Any other time, I’d have laughed, but this wasn’t the time. I glanced at Axel. He was keeping his mouth shut, but he reached for my hand under the table and squeezed it.

Jock thumbed through the contacts on his phone and called several of Teagan’s friends. One friend vouched for Teagan’s boyfriend. She was at a high school baseball game, and he was playing shortstop, but Teagan wasn’t there.

That was enough for Jock. “She’s with her mother. God damn it.” He banged his fist on the table. Neither Axel nor I flinched or reacted.

Axel and I said nothing but shared a worried glance. Bria’s drinking and drug abuse concerned us. We sat quietly for a short while, each of us deep in thought. Jock got up to pace the floor, muttering curses under his breath. Teagan had been missing for two hours by now.

“Jock, if you don’t mind me making a suggestion.” Axel tiptoed carefully around my volatile brother, but much to my surprise, Jock sank down gratefully into the chair next to Axel.

“I’d welcome any help you can give. I’m not thinking clearly. I’m in such a panic my usual logical brain has deserted me.”

“Okay, I have a plan. You all have iPhones, right? Do you have the ability to track her phone in the app?”