She jumped from the bench, calling out her name, looking over every square inch of the park and still not finding her. Soon, other parents joined in on her search and after about ten minutes she knew there was something desperately wrong. She immediately called the police and then Trenton, but never stopped looking.
Trenton arrived just as quickly as the police and after she explained the last area she'd seen Molly, Trenton pulled her into his arms. She finally allowed herself to break down and sobbed in his arms, terrified beyond anything she'd ever felt before.
"I don't know what could've happened. I looked away for only a moment and then she was just gone," she told him, sobbing uncontrollably.
"We'll find her, it will be okay," he said soothingly, as he tried to comfort her. She was beyond being able to be comforted, though. She'd already lost her sister, she couldn't lose her niece, too.
"We have to find her, I can't believe I let something happen to her," she continued to sob.
"This isn't your fault," he told her, lifting her face to his so she had no choice but to look into his eyes. She could barely make eye contact she felt so much guilt and misery. She didn't answer him because there was no one else responsible but her and she'd messed up. She'd let her niece out of her sight.
"Mrs. Anderson, she's not at the park. A couple of parents said they saw a strange man hanging around the park area and were able to give us a description. We think it's a kidnapping and the best thing for you to do is go immediately home and wait by the phone. We're going to send the FBI over to put a trace on your phone, but we think someone recognized you and they'll demand a ransom," the officer told her.
Jennifer looked right through him, the terror overwhelming her. She couldn't imagine anyone wanting to kidnap Molly. There was no need, Jennifer was a nobody, with nothing to give. She couldn't even put the pieces together that she was married to a very powerful man and there'd be people who'd want to attack her because of that. Her brain finally shut down and she sunk into blackness as her body refused to face reality anymore.
Trenton swore as he caught Jennifer in his arms. He couldn't believe he'd been so stupid as to not have assigned security to both her and Molly. He knew with his amount of money there were always people who resented him and would take from him if they got the opportunity. He had a wife and child to think about and couldn't believe he'd allowed Molly to possibly be harmed.
He lifted Jennifer into his arms, carrying her to his car and drove quickly back to the house and carried her inside. She was starting to stir again as he laid her down on the couch and immediately placed a rag on her forehead.
"Molly," she said hopefully, hoping for a moment it was nothing more than a bad dream.
"We'll hear soon," he told her and felt physical pain as he saw the terror enter her eyes again. He wished he would've been able to tell her everything was okay. He wished he could make it all go away and have the two most important females in his life be safe.
The officer was right, because they barely got the phone system set up when a call came in. Jennifer sat on the couch, shivering, caving in on herself, with silent tears streaming down her cheeks. Trenton wanted to fall apart himself. He was so scared something would happen to Molly, but he knew one of them had to stay strong and keep their head. He also knew Jennifer loved Molly more than her own life and was dealing with her terror by withdrawing. It was the only way she could survive the ordeal.
"Just answer the phone, stay calm, ask as many questions as you can without angering the kidnapper, and give them whatever they want. Her life is worth more than any amount of money," the agent told him seconds before he picked up the phone.
"I understand," Trenton told him and then picked up the phone with a slight tremor to his own hand. He couldn't mess up the phone call. He'd do whatever it took to get her back. He picked up the phone and spoke a curt hello into the piece.
"Trenton Anderson?"
"Yes," he answered.
"I have Molly with me and for now she's safe, but if you don't do exactly what I say, then you'll be the one responsible for her death. Do I make myself clear?" the caller asked.
"I understand," Trenton said, having to control his rage. He heard the front door open and breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of his father, siblings and cousins. His entire family had arrived to support him and Jennifer.
He watched his cousins' spouses immediately go over to the couch and surround Jennifer, pulling her into their arms and letting her cry on their shoulders. The women sat there crying together, while his family circled him, showing a wall of support that nearly brought him to his knees.