“Yeah. They have to list him as missing because they don’t know what happened. But do the police think a baby could have pulled his strap off and wandered away? Climbed an eight-foot concrete wall?”

“Most likely, they are attempting to keep the FBI from swooping in and taking over their case. Arrogance on their part.”

“Well, fuck them. They’re wasting time. Jack Schmidt seemed more competent than the average Bearsden detective.”

“Hmph. I don’t know about that. He didn’t figure out I eliminated Nick Evans.”

Silence fills the next few seconds before Ronnie replies. “Are you being sarcastic? I don’t know whether to laugh or be concerned with your comment.”

“Hmph. A little,” I say. “Gotta live with what happened.”

“I’m glad you moved on from that experience. It could have eaten you from the inside until nothing but shredded flesh remained.”

I snort. “Thank you so much for that vivid description.”

She cackles into the phone. “You’re welcome. What are you doing today?”

“I’m working a few hours this afternoon and evening, then I’m stopping by the Celestial Gardens to talk to Shailagh and Aonghas.”

“Oh. So, you think they might have snatched baby Daniel?”

“Nah. But I should ask to make sure. They could have seen the Unremarkables who kidnapped the infant. Who knows how often they spy on us? They could have been hiding.”

“Good idea. I feel so responsible. We were right there and didn’t notice anyone else in the gardens. Shouldn’t we have?”

I recall the pinching in my gut. Maybe it wasn’t gas? “I don’t know. Those criminals are smart. They have a system in place. But I’m right there with you. It tugs at my heart to watch the Hansens go through this.”

“Well, try to have a good day, Gwyn. I don’t want to venture out in this weather, but I have a birthing class.”

“You, too. Try not to let the dreary day drag you down the rabbit hole of guilt.”

“I won’t. Talk to you later.”

“Bye.” I swipe the red circle and tap my fingernails on the glass screen protector.

Shailagh and Aonghas, if you took that baby, we’re going to have a little chat about stealing humans.

By the time I arrive at Mystic Sage, my socks and sneakers are soggy. I close my umbrella and rain droplets collect on the floor. My rubber soles squeak with every step as I approach the counter. The aroma of cinnamon and spice permeates the store. Shane must have burned incense. While I wait for Jeff to finish ringing up a customer, my coat drips water into a tiny puddle at my feet. He hands a paper bag to the customer.

“Thank you for shopping at Mystic Sage. Happy Halloween.” As the shopper exits the store, Jeff laughs at me. “Did you go for a swim?”

“Very. Funny,” I say, removing my raincoat. “My socks and sneakers soaked up the rain like sponges, and I don’t have extra shoes with me.”

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have laughed. Give me your jacket, and I’ll hang it in the back. There are towels in the bathroom.”

“Thanks,” I say, handing him my drenched coat. “I wish I had shoes to change into.”

“Wet socks suck. I’ll be right back.”

Jeff dashes to the back of the store, and I stash my purse and backpack under the counter. I sit on the stool and remove my sneakers and socks. I can deal with soaked shoes, but the socks have to go. My boss returns with a hand towel and a box marked with an S.

“Thanks,” I say, drying my feet. “What’s in your hands?”

He grins and wiggles his eyebrows. “The solution for your shoe dilemma.”

Jeff opens the flaps and pulls back the purple tissue paper, exposing unisex zombie slippers. Pointy white teeth border a gaping mouth where you insert your foot.

“You’re not seriously suggesting I wear these to work in, are you? Plus, you couldn’t sell these slippers after I’ve worn them all day.”

“Consider them your bonus for the week.”

“Gee. I don’t know what to say?” I stare at the zombie face, one of its eyes popping out. “Thanks?”

He chuckles. “You’re welcome. Now put on your slippers and get to work. No one will see them behind the counter, anyway.”

I slip my toes into the mouths of the walking dead heads and stand up. “Wow. They’re comfy.”

“I have a huge shipment of them in the back. They arrived late. I need to get them tagged and on display near the clothing.”

“With this heavy rainfall, we won’t have many shoppers today. Bring a few up when you’ve priced them, and I’ll set up the display. If anyone comes into the store while I’m arranging them on the shelf, I’ll just say I’m modeling.”

He laughs. “Sounds like a plan. By the way, I told Shane to stay home today. He’s been spending time with a new lady friend, and I figured we could handle the store.”

“A lady friend? Please, tell me more,” I say, grinning.

“He can tell you himself. Besides, I don’t even know her name.”

I log in to the cash register. “Speaking of lady friends, I met Ashley Lewis last night. She’s sweet, Jeff. A little anxious, but pleasant. She was in a rush to get home so her babysitter could leave.”

“Yeah, she called me after she arrived. The babysitter was really pissed. A grad student watches him. Her son, Aidan, misbehaved the entire afternoon and evening. Threw his toys. Dumped his dinner on the floor. She quit. Ashley cried. She doesn’t know what to do.”

Well, well. But maybe I do? “You know what? I’m booked up this semester, but I could watch her son a few times. I only have a couple of classes because I’m working on my capstone project.”

“Wow, Gwyn. That’s lit. Thanks so much. I’ll tell her.”

“You know me…always a mom.” And it’s a convenient opportunity to ask her about Welsh folklore without robbing her of time she doesn’t have to spare.

Jeff cocks his head. “You were walking back late. Did you see the cops gathered at Mitchell Hall? I read the article about the kidnapped baby this morning.”

“Yeah. Sadly, Ronnie Baldwin and I were there. Someone scooped up that infant about the time we were exiting the gardens. The mother was taking pictures on the other side.”

He shakes his head. “That’s so sad. They must suspect the Baby Nabbers ring got him.”

“That’s what Archie thinks. I’ve read they can sneak in and snatch a kid in broad daylight. No one can identify them. They prey on mothers feeling safe in a closed environment or in the cover of packed city sidewalks. They must have had a rope ladder or something to get over the concrete wall in the back. It was dark.”

“I know. Ashley has been stressing over it. She worries about someone taking off with her kid all the time. I understand the worry about this recent kidnapping, but she’s talked about it since I met her.”