She filed reports, searched public records, and hired a private investigator with money saved from the center.

In that time, Gregory was becoming a mechanic with his own small garage.

He helped with searches and kept copies of every lead.

None proved where Lucy had gone.

Five years later, Violet suffered a stroke.

Her speech returned slowly, but she could no longer manage the search.

Gregory promised her he would keep every piece of information safe, even if they never found the girl.

“That’s the box?” I asked.