Page 158 of Secrets Hidden In The Glass

Swallowing, she looked down. “Maybe you should come out after I’m finished. It’ll only make this worse—give them more to talk about. If we’re together.”

He clenched his jaw as Callie made another attempt to push him away. “They’ve been talking for days. Let them say whatever the hell they want. I’m going to be standing next to you when you do this.” He took her hands and gave them a firm squeeze. “Because we are together.”

She sighed and stood on her tiptoes, pressing her lips to his for a long kiss. “Let’s get it over with,” she whispered, easing back.

“In a minute.” He cupped her cheeks, bringing her mouth back to his, keeping his eyes open as she did the same. “Let’s do this.” He laced their fingers, and they walked down the hall and through the door, straight out into madness.

~~~~

Callie gripped Nate’s hand while she stood on Sanderson Town Hall’s top step. The clouds spit rain and the wind tossed her hair in her face, leaving long golden strands stuck in her clear gloss, yet she barely felt the cold as she stared out at the sea of news cameras surrounding them. This was far from the first time she’d addressed the media. There had been swarms of cameras and microphones at the JFK ribbon-cutting ceremony and the numerous other events she’d attended over the years, but today the press wasn’t focused on her artistic accomplishments. Today they were hungry for the details of her past. Clearing her throat, she stepped up to the microphone, ready to get this over with. “I’ll begin when everyone’s quiet.”

“Will you finally confirm that you’re Little Girl Lost,” someone shouted.

“When everyone’s quiet, she’ll begin,” Nate said, sliding his thumb along her knuckles in soothing strokes as he stuck close by her side.

She cleared her throat again, barely able to think over the pounding of her heart. “I know you’ve come here with questions… I see several familiar faces in the crowd. Many of you have been following my career since the beginning, but long before my artistic debut, the nation was captivated by the story of the little girl who was abandoned at Phil’s Diner in Hartford, Connecticut—”

Several members of the group started firing off questions.

“Hey!” Nate hollered. “We can either do this the way Ms. Davis has asked or she and I will be turning around and there will be no further comments.”

Everyone quieted again.

“I’m the child who was found at the diner—Little Girl Lost, as you’ve named her. I grew up with a wonderful, loving family and focused on my artistic gifts. Shortly after my college graduation, my career took off with the help of Marion West from the Marion West Galleries. I’ve spent nearly five years endlessly traveling and creating. Currently, I’m on an extended vacation, which I’m hoping to get back to. I’ve always appreciated the concern of the country for Little Girl Lost. I’m grateful that I’ve had the chance to share my art with so many. From here on out, I will not be discussing my past. What I have gone through is painful and private and mine alone. Thank you.”

Nate wrapped his arm around her shoulders and kissed her temple. Cameras clicked in a frenzy.

“What about the sheriff? Your relationship? Sheriff Carter, do you have anything to say?”

Nate kept her close, moving his body so she was slightly turned away from the crowd—his attempt at shielding her, she knew. “The Little Girl Lost case is still an active investigation—”

“Are you working with the Hartford Police Department? Why is Carter County Sheriff’s Department involved?”

“This is currently a joint and active investigation as Detective Sanchez and I follow new leads—”

“Sources are saying you were asking town residents to identify a woman in a picture with Little Girl Lost. Some are suggesting the picture was taken on the island. Is the woman Callie’s mother?”

“All I can say is that someone out there knows something. Someone out there has the answers we’re looking for. Detective Sanchez and I hope you’ll call the tip line that has been set up through the Hartford Police Department with any information that will give us the break we need. We’ll be sure you all get the number to share with your readers and viewers.”

“But is the woman in the picture Callie’s biological mother? Is she from Carter Island?”

“At this time, there will be no further comments about the case from the Carter County Sheriff’s Department or Hartford PD.”

“Did this case bring you and Ms. Davis together?”

“I will share details about the Little Girl Lost case when I can, but my relationship with Callie is between the two of us. Neither one of us will be commenting on our private life. But as Carter County Sheriff, I’m happy to remind you that vehicles parked in unauthorized locations will continue to be towed away. Fines will be tripled for those of you who choose to ignore No Trespassing signs. The people of Sanderson are eager to get back to their normal everyday activities. My deputies and I plan to help them do that. Thank you.” He looked at Callie. “Anything else?”

She shook her head. “No. Let’s go inside.”

Nate opened the door for her and they stepped back into the quiet and warmth, shutting out the barrage of questions still being fired their way. “Come with me for a second.” He pulled her into the single-stall bathroom and closed them inside. “Are you okay?”

She nodded, realizing that she was shaking and her heart was still slamming against her chest.

“No, you’re not.” He wrapped her up. “No, you’re not, Callie.”

She held on to him, nuzzling her face in the crook of his neck, breathing him in. “I just want them to go away. I need for them to go away, Nate.”

“I know you do.” He eased her back, sliding her hair off of her cheek. “You’re going crazy out at the house.”