The DILF (Sebastian Vettel)

47. No Trace

"What do you mean there's no sign of them? Someone must have seen them!  They can't just have vanished into thin air!" Seb raged at the policeman that had come to the hospital to update them on the search for Casey. "It's been forty eight hours and you haven't had a single sighting?"

"That's not completely true.  We picked the van up on CCTV on the outskirts of Zurich around an hour after it left the lane."

"Fat lot of good that's done.  I don't understand how they've just disappeared!"

"Mr Vettel, we are doing our best.   We have all our officers on the look out.   We will find them."

Seb shook his head in disbelief.   He wasn't so sure anymore.  

The police had been quick to locate the hotel where Christian had been staying. He hadn't checked out,  but when they'd raided his room his belongings had gone.  Border checks had been set up but that had taken the police six hours to implement, they could have been long gone by then.   They may not even be in Switzerland anymore!

He was going out of his mind.  He wasn't eating properly, wasn't sleeping properly.   He was worried sick and wanted to break down but he couldn't.  He had to stay strong for Savannah.  She needed him to be her rock. He couldn't break down.

Savannah's parents and Daisy had arrived the day before to support them. Between them, Maddy and Antti they'd made sure the other children were well looked after. He'd barely seen them himself and  he felt bad about it.  He was torn.   He wanted to be with Savannah, but he knew they needed him.  They were confused about what was going on. They hadn't been told the truth, all they knew was Savannah was not well and Casey had gone away for a while. They'd been kept away from the internet and the television so they didn't find out that their sister had been kidnapped. Seb knew that they deserved the truth but he just didn't know how to tell them. He knew he had to soon. Maybe today they'd find her, then he wouldn't have to tell them.  

"Mr Vettel, please be assured, we are doing everything in our power to find Casey," the officer continued.  Seb nodded and then turned around and walked back into Savannah's room.  She was now out of intensive care and in a private room. 

Daisy was sat next to the bed holding Savannah's hand.   Her parents had left to go and spend time with the other children, and to give Maddy and Antti a break.

"Is there any news?" Daisy asked.  Seb shook his head, his heart breaking as saw the look of sorrow on Savannah's face.

"I feel I'd have as much luck as they do.  I don't know why they're so damn incompetent."   He was beginning to feel angry as well as worried. He sat down on the edge of Savannah's bed.   "How are you feeling sweetheart?  I mean physically.  Obviously you're worried."

Savannah shrugged her shoulders.  "Still have a bad headache, but I don't know why I'm still in here.  I want to go home."

"Maybe tomorrow.  The doctor said you've got your follow up CT in the morning."  He looked at his watch.  It was nearly 7pm.   He stood up. "I'll be back shortly, I have to make a quick phone call."

He kissed Savannah quickly and headed out of the ward, then outside to his car.  It was the only place he could guarantee complete privacy.   Once inside he took his phone out and dialled.  The call was answered in seconds. 

"Sebastian, this is a surprise! Eager to get back to it?"

"Hey Toto, actually I have some bad news...."
                           ***

Seb gripped Savannah's hand tightly as the doctors filed into the room. She'd had her follow up CT and they were both hoping she could go home later that day. The kids needed them both. Seb also thought Savannah needed to be surrounded by her loved ones, not by strangers.