The Girl Who Was Taken

Livia drives from Raleigh to the Emerson Bay police station. It has been two weeks since Livia last saw Megan, and neither she nor her father have returned her phone calls about her investigation. She is confused and concerned that the investigation has hit a snag.

At the station, Megan’s father tells Livia that Megan has recently experienced a flare-up of PTSD symptoms. She is struggling with her mental health and is unable to assist in the investigation any longer. He asks Livia to leave Megan alone. Ashamed and concerned for Megan’s well-being, Livia agrees. However, Megan’s father also concedes that despite the investigation’s negative impact on Megan, Livia’s theories are solid. He has spoken with other police departments in Georgia and Virginia—those responsible for handling Paula’s and Nancy’s cases—and they agree that the four abduction cases are connected.

This chapter returns to Nicole’s perspective on the night of her abduction. She, Jessica, and Rachel are in Nicole’s car, getting ready to attend a party on the beach. Jessica and Rachel warn Nicole that she cannot cause any drama tonight. Nicole downplays their concerns, joking that they sound like her older sister.

Deep down, Nicole misses Livia.