Organized chaos. The only way to describe Corporate Family Day, Jackson thought.
“Daddy,” Emma said, coming up to him and interrupting the chairman midsentence. “There’s a puppy. I want to go see it.”
“Just a second, sweetheart.” Jackson patted his six-year-old on the shoulder.
“She is so adorable, dressed in that little pantsuit,” the chairman said.
Emma beamed. “I wanted to be twinsies with Daddy.” She looked at Jackson. “I have to hurry if I want to pet the puppy.”
His assistant, Brittany Hall, had hired a magician and had mentioned an animal in the act, but he thought it was a bunny.
“Please, Daddy.” Her blond curls framed her angelic face and her brown eyes sparkled with determination that’d one day serve her well. “It’s right over there.” She pointed to the atrium, but Jackson couldn’t see anything through the crowd. The space was jam-packed with two hundred Emerald Technology Corp employees along with their kids and spouses.
“Patience. We’ll see it together. Go grab a bite to eat.” This day was already testing his multitasking skills in new ways; he didn’t need Emma having a hangry meltdown, too.
With a deflated look that pinched something in his chest, she trudged over to the catered food on the table.
The chairman cleared his throat, drawing Jackson’s attention. “As I was saying, our current stock prices reflect the fact that the board made an excellent decision with you.”
“It was an honor to be chosen as CEO.” Jackson pulled on a smile. At the job, he gave one hundred percent, but when he was with Emma, she was his number-one priority. He hated making her wait.
“There’s someone I’d like you to speak with.” The chairman gestured for a woman to come over. “Her son wants to meet you. A teenager who is a big admirer.”
“Certainly.” Jackson turned to get Emma for introductions, but she was no longer at the table. He glanced around the room. “Emma?” Through a break in the crowd he caught a glimpse of the atrium. The magician was speaking with Brittany, but he didn’t see Emma. “Excuse me a moment. My little girl has wandered off.” He stepped away, searching the conference room, checked every chair, corner, even under the table.
Jackson cut through the crowd into the atrium and looked for a gaggle of kids who’d be drawn to a cute puppy, but everyone was milling about, chatting. Unease churned in his gut.
Brittany came up to him. “The band just arrived. Bouncy castle and face painters are outside in the courtyard. Plenty of arts and crafts Emma will love.”
Jackson looked around past her. “Have you seen her? Is she in the courtyard?”
“I just came from there. We haven’t opened it up to everyone yet. Maybe she’s eating.”
“She’s not in the conference room. I think she took off to see a puppy. Does the magician have one?”
Brittany shook her head. “Only a bunny for the show. I haven’t seen any other pets.”
Cold dread swept through him, but he pushed it aside. He was surrounded by hardworking employees, good people who had their kids there. This was a safe place.
“Take a look in the restroom,” he said, “and I’ll check with security at the front.”
“Okay.” Brittany hurried down the hall.
Jackson ran to the security desk. “Has Emma passed by here?” All the guards knew his daughter. Each one had complimented her on her outfit, which had made her grin with delight.
“No, sir. She hasn’t come this way and she certainly hasn’t gone through the front door.”
His mind raced as he hurried back into the atrium where the conference room was.
“She wasn’t there,” Brittany said, rushing to him. “No one inside has seen her.”
A sinking, hollow sensation spread in the pit of his stomach.
Where are you, honey? Jackson clasped the back of his neck and rubbed the tension gathering there. “Everyone! I need your attention.” The crowd quieted. All eyes turned to him. “I can’t find my daughter, Emma. She’s six, blonde, wearing a blue pantsuit. Look around you. If you see her, call out.” She had to be here. He’d looked away from her for a minute. Thirty seconds. Less.
Heads turned on a swivel. A murmur rippled through the crowd. Jackson waited and waited, clenching his jaw against the suffocating pressure building in his chest. The mutter of voices withered and died. Parents clutched their own young kids closer. Compassionate gazes found his as every nerve ending burned with terrible certainty.
No one had found Emma because she was gone.
Jackson took out his cell phone and dialed 911.