I gripped the edge of the mahogany desk, my knuckles turning white.

“Abandoned?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper. “What do you mean, abandoned?”

“The driver’s side door was left wide open,” Detective Holt said, her breath heavy over the speaker. “Her purse was still on the passenger seat, along with her phone.”

Liam leaned forward, his jaw tight. “Is there any sign of struggle, Detective?”

“The rain is washing away any footprints or tire tracks,” Holt replied. “But we found a set of keys on the ground near the rear bumper.”

My chest tightened.

Chloe was fragile, but she was never careless enough to leave her phone and purse behind.

“Beatrice,” I said, the name tasting like ash in my mouth. “She did this.”

“We don’t know that yet, Audrey,” Holt said, though she didn’t sound convinced. “But the timing is highly suspicious.”

“She posted bail and immediately went after her own daughter?” Liam asked, his hand coming down on mine.

“Or someone else did,” Holt said. “We’re checking the security footage from the toll roads near the cliffs.”

“What about Darrow?” I asked.