Khan had lost track of time as the workload piled up, but that didn't stop the lingering feeling that something was missing. He turned toward the jungle box. Now he knew why. It was 8:00, she should've been back by now. No way would she miss a chance to spend time with the plants. Unless she was worn out from her job.

"Perhaps she'll finally accept my offer," Khan chuckled.

A minute later, he was rapping on the girl's bedroom door. When no answer came, he assumed she was asleep and slowly opened the door to avoid making noise.

The bed was empty. He checked the kitchen. Not there either. The library? Sometimes, she spent so long reading she fell asleep on a pile of books. Normally, he'd be annoyed at his books set in an ungraceful heap. Now, seeing them in their proper places gave the library the soul of a tomb. He returned to his desk and flicked on the intercom.

"Mrs. Snarly, did Eliza come in earlier?"

"No, Mr. Khan. I haven't seen her since this morning."

"She didn't call either?"

"No, sir."

Khan turned off the intercom and picked up the phone. There was only one other person Eliza had spoken to.

Even after six years, Molly's energy still amazed Rebecca. She decided to next time pay Eliza extra for her patience. After finally getting Molly to bed, Rebecca was ready to turn in herself, until the phone rang. She groaned. Then again, it could be Covington wishing her a good night.

"Hello," she said sweetly.

"Miss Cunningham."

If the formal use of her last name didn't surprise her enough, the familiar baritone did.

"Mr. Khan?" She forgot about feeling disappointed.

"Is Eliza with you?"

"No, she left two hours ago." A chill ran up Rebecca's spine. "You mean she's not home?"

Khan's silence answered. "She didn't, by any chance, say where she was going?"

"She said she was going home. I offered drive her, but she insisted on taking the bus."

Another pause fell before Khan murmured, "I see. Thank you for your help."

"Wait. Try calling Baloo. Maybe she went to visit and forgot to call you." Whether Rebecca was trying to reassure herself or Khan, it was hard to say.

"Perhaps."

"If so, go easy on her. Kids forget these things, you know?"

"I know."

Khan hung up, but that didn't stop Rebecca from uttering, "It's probably fine." Still, she hadn't forgotten the time Karnage kidnapped Eliza and Kit to get her uncle's money.

Rebecca didn't feel so tired anymore. Instead of going to her bedroom, she peered into Molly's room. She sighed in relief on seeing the child safe in her bed. Rebecca crept in and gently stroked the blond locks. Molly had seen more danger than most kids her age. Like being kidnapped by pirates with her mother or being chased by a giant squid in her own apartment with her best friend.

Rebecca imagined herself making a similar phone call and shuddered. Khan may have been cold, but he was ready to blow the air pirates out of the sky when they took his niece. Rebecca was certain she would do the same, whether it was Molly, Kit, or Eliza.

"No, Mr. Khan," Baloo said into the phone. "I haven't seen Eliza."

Kit looked up from his comic book. Baloo exchanged a worried look, frozen as he listened to the phone.

"No, she didn't call me either. Kit's been with me the whole time."

Kit held his breath. From the way Baloo stared into space, Kit wondered if he was listening to Khan. Baloo then asked if he was still there, which meant Khan had gone quiet. That was never good news.

Finally, Baloo said, "Of course I'll keep an eye out," and hung up. Kit hadn't seen him this broken since he lost that race to a robot pilot.

Kit touched Baloo's hand. "Papa Bear?" A knot formed in his throat. "Did something happen to Eliza?"

"I don't know, Kit." Baloo pulled him into a hug. "I just don't know."