Chapter 46. Sneak Out
Betty paced around the kitchen nervously. She hadn’t called Logan to tell him about Riley’s disappearance. She kept checking the clock anxiously every five minutes, hoping Kaella and Jacob would be home soon. They should have been home an hour ago. Betty knew the stores Kaella usually went to. Kaella usually ordered by phone, and the grocers had prepared all the groceries they needed.
Betty sighed softly. She really couldn't wait any longer. She would call Logan and tell him about Riley's disappearance. But she still hoped that Riley might be shopping with Kaella. She knew Riley must be bored being cooped up in the house all day and wanted to get out and get some fresh air. After all, Riley had no one out there and nowhere to run..
But what if Riley wasn't with Kaella and Jacob? What if she ran away and tried to seek help from the first person she met on the road?
Betty bit her lip nervously. Her hands were cold as she gripped the phone to call Logan. She could just press the green button to call Logan, but she hesitated. If Riley was with Kaella, she would get Riley in trouble by calling Logan. Betty really wanted to give Riley some leeway to get some fresh air outside. She loved Riley. But she also couldn't betray her loyalty to Logan. It confused her so much.
The sound of the gate wheels rubbing against the rails was loud. Betty almost threw her phone in the air because she was too excited to greet Kaella and Jacob. Betty ran to the gate through the kitchen door. She ran hurriedly, stepping on dry leaves that rustled under her feet.
"Betty, why are you running like that?" Kaella exclaimed in surprise as she rolled down the window.
Betty knelt on the left side of the car, panting. Jacob stared at her in surprise as he pulled the brakes to stop the car.
"What's with her?"
"You think I know, huh? I just asked her," Kaella replied sarcastically.
Kaella had removed the seat belt that was wrapped around her body. She jumped out of the car and rushed into the trunk to unload her groceries. She had to act as nonchalant as usual.
But deep down, Kaella was very nervous. Getting Jacob out of the van was very difficult. Jacob grumbled as she took him shopping. He immediately returned to the van after they finished shopping at the first store. Luckily, when Jacob returned to the car, Riley had already gotten out and probably gone somewhere safe with Wren. Kaella tried to reassure herself. She asked random people on the street, and they didn't know Riley.
"Jacob! Help me carry these things.”
Kaella looked through the trunk door. She saw Jacob getting ready to get out of the car. Betty was still trying to calm her panting breath. Kaella pretended that nothing was going on around her. She casually unloaded all her things, ignoring Betty, who was walking toward her.
“Riley is missing. Are you with her?”
Kaella stopped her movements and pretended to look at Betty in surprise.
"What did you say? Riley is missing? Are you sure?"
"What is it?"
Jacob, who had just joined them, tried to listen to what Betty had just said.
“Riley is missing.”
“It’s impossible. How could she sneak out of the house?” Kaella asked in panic. She acted as if she was completely shocked by what Betty had just said.
“I was just about to call her for lunch, but she wasn’t there. I checked her room, looked all over the house, but she wasn’t there. She’s gone. Riley must have snuck out while you guys were shopping.”
"That's not possible," Jacob shouted loudly.
“If Riley snuck out, I would have known. There’s an alarm that goes off if anyone passes the gate. Kaella and I didn’t see anyone all the way to the main road.”
“That’s right, Betty. Just the two of us. Riley couldn’t have snuck out the front gate,” Kaella said.
“She couldn’t have gotten out of this house other than through the gate. There’s no back door. Riley can’t climb over the walls.”
“Are you sure? Have you checked?”
“I've been looking for Riley everywhere in this house. I checked the walls, looking for any ropes or something Riley could use to escape. But I didn't find anything. All the walls are empty, this house is empty too.”
"Have you told Mr. Hatcher?"
"I haven't told him. I hope Riley is with you. I won’t rush to report this to Mr. Hatcher. I sympathize with her. I want her to get out and get some fresh air."
Betty wrung her hands nervously. She couldn't imagine what Logan would do after finding out about this. Logan was having a very bad emotional breakdown. If Riley ran away, Logan would be furious. Everyone in the house would have to endure Logan's terrible anger.
"We have to tell Mr. Hatcher now. Maybe Riley is still around here. I will look for her.”
Jacob rushed into the car. He quickly started the engine and maneuvered toward the front gate.
Meanwhile, Kaella pretended to be anxious next to Betty. She hugged herself and tried to get the tears out of her eyes to make her acting look great.
"I didn't think Riley would have the courage to run away."
Kaella made a sad expression and held back tears. Her palms covered her lips as she let out fake sobs.
"I don't think Riley can escape alone without anyone's help."
"What do you mean, Betty?"
“Riley must have found someone to help her escape. Someone in this house must be held responsible for Riley's disappearance."
"Why do you say that? You're accusing one of us of helping Riley escape, huh?"
Kaella was angry and crying at the same time. She was grateful that, at least, she could squeeze out a single tear from her eyes, which could barely cry.
"Because there's no way Riley could have escaped by walking through that gate. Besides, it's only a matter of time before Mr. Hatcher finds out which one of us helped Riley escape."
"No way. We are all afraid of Mr. Hatcher. None of us want to see his terrible rage.” Kaella rubbed her eyes. She needed to look more dramatic, so Betty wouldn't suspect her.
Betty frowned deeply, thinking hard about who had helped Riley escape from the house. She was sure that Riley couldn't escape without someone's help. Betty glared at Kaella. She and Riley had become very close to each other. Sometimes she found them having serious conversations in the backyard. Yesterday, she saw Riley going to meet Kaella in her room. That was suspicious. She suspected that Kaella might know something about Riley's plan to escape.
“Take all those things to the kitchen. There's no need to cry like that. I will tell Mr. Hatcher, and Riley will be found soon."
Kaella watched Betty leave her. She wiped the fake tears from her eyes and smiled slyly, watching Betty's shadow fade away. Logan would not be able to find Riley. Kaella was sure that Riley had gone far away with Wren to a safe place.