Leaving Valerie standing in the driveway staring after me as we left almost ripped my heart wide open. I had stayed in the back of the car and held it together long enough for Lee to close the door. Tears streamed down my face when I briefly told him what had happened, and instead the usual reassurance I had come to expect from my bodyguard and friend, I saw his shoulders sag in disappointment. When he offered no opinion or advice, I directed him back to the coffee shop again.
I knew the hospital was near the café, and figured if Melanie was on foot with the child she lived somewhere close by. By Melanie mentioning the hospital I somehow thought she had hinted I'd find her there.