"Because," he said, "the police had months to figure out what happened when I told them who it was all along. It was her damn ex-boyfriend. Everyone knew it, but those incompetent cops wouldn't listen. They should've arrested the asshole when they had the chance."

Nicky exchanged a look with Ken, who wore a confused, but stern expression.

"And what's this guy's name?" Ken asked.

"Darren McMillan," Terry said. "That guy is a real piece of work."

Nicky glanced at Linda for confirmation. She held herself, looking sad, but nodded. "I also believe Darren wanted to hurt Meghan. He was very possessive, and when she broke it off with him, we all feared violence."

"And then she disappeared," Nicky said. "How long after they broke up?"

"About two months," Linda said.

"He'd been stalking her at work. She'd come home upset and would stay holed up in her bedroom for days. I asked her to come home, but she wouldn't. She'd just stay in there, crying. I think she was afraid of what Darren might do."

"She got her locks changed, but he broke them," Terry said. "One day, I drove by and I saw him parked outside her work. He saw me, too. I went inside and told the cops, but when I went outside again, he was gone. He's slick."

"There's got to be something you can do," Linda said, tears in her eyes. "It's been months, but she's still missing. There's got to be something--"

"We're doing everything we can to find your daughter," Nicky said. "We're slowly unraveling this case. We have some leads, and we're following them wherever they go."

Nicky and Ken stood up. "Thanks for the info," Ken said. "We'll look more into Darren."

"I need more than that," Terry seethed. "I need you to arrest him."

"We'll do what we can," Nicky told him. "I promise you that much."

She took another look at Meghan's parents, who were so obviously broken up over their missing daughter. "We want to find her just as much as you do."

Nicky and Ken left them to their grief.

***

Nicky's heart was racing as she called Grace right away. The sound of the phone ringing filled the car and Grace's voice came through the speakers immediately. It was warm, calming, and reassuring.

"Agent Lyons! Have a task for me?" Grace asked through the phone.

"I do," Nicky said. "I need you to dig up some intel on a guy named Darren McMillan, from a small town near Hollywood called Frankstown."

"You got it, babe," she said. "Give me a sec."

Nicky heard typing on the other end of the line. She adjusted herself in the drivers seat. Ken was on the passenger side, silently looking at the world outside. Through the windshield of the car, the sun was sinking in the sky, turning the sky yellow in the late-afternoon.