“Actually, I do. I found out who that license plate was registered to,” she replied. “A man by the name of Bennett Hunter.”

Bennett Hunter. Bennett Hunter. Why did that sound so familiar?

I gasped.

Ari continued, though my thoughts were stuck on that name. “I was able to locate a current address for him, but no updated phone number. I’d need to do more digging to find that out.”

“Is the address local to Pittsburgh?” I asked.

“Yes, about twenty minutes or so from your home. But Felicity”—her voice lowered in a warning—“I know what you’re planning on doing. Please do not go to his house. I’d suggest letting the police handle it from here.”

I couldn’t do that. The whole point was to prevent the police from discovering I had kidnapped my daughter.

“I understand.”

She must have dealt with my type before, because after giving me the address, she followed up by saying, “If you do decide to go without the police, at least bring your husband with you. Absolutely do not go alone. You never know what kind of danger you could be putting yourself in.”

“Okay.”

“Do you want me to follow up on getting an updated phone number?”

I didn’t need her digging for more. Contacting Bennett herself and finding out what I had done. I had no idea if she was required by law to turn me in if she discovered I had committed a crime. The fewer people who knew, the safer.

“No, that’s okay. Not right now, at least. I’ll see where this takes me first, and if I end up needing more, I’ll let you know.”

“Sounds good.” She paused, then said, “Hey, take care of yourself, Felicity. And be safe, whatever you do.”

I hung up, and for the first time since Vera disappeared I sensed we were nearing the end of this very long, harrowing search.

“Ollie!” I screamed, searching for him room to room. I finally found him outside in the backyard raking leaves—lately, a favorite tension-reliever. Against the brilliant blue sky random speckles of orange and red clung stubbornly to the skeletal branches, falling with feathery elegance when a breeze at last dislodged them.

Oliver passed one look over me, dropped the rake, and ran toward me. “Hey, are you okay?”

I shook my head, nodded, I didn’t know what I was doing. “I know where Vera is. And it’s bad. Real bad.”

“Where?”

“She’s with Bennett Hunter.”

He looked at me quizzically, the pieces not quite fitting.

“Bennett Hunter, Ollie. Marin’s maiden name is Hunter. Vera is with Marin’s father!”

Chapter 36

Chapter 36

Marin