Sandra pulled at her left ear lobe, a trait Alyssa already recognized as something she did when she was thinking. ‘Is it just me, or does it seem a little odd to you that Hayden Benson’s family wasn’t overly thrilled to have Monroe hire someone to look into his disappearance? If that was my brother, nothing would stop me from getting to the truth. Also, let’s just say he did run off because he got cold feet about becoming a daddy so young. Don’t you think at some point over the past seven years, he would’ve reached out to his parents at least? Reading between the lines here, of course, but Monroe made it sound as if he was close to his family. Walking away and never contacting them again just for the sole purpose of making sure he doesn’t have to take responsibility for knocking someone up seems like a pretty far stretch. Two plus two is not equaling four in this instance.’

While conducting an interview with Sandra had been a far cry from the smooth system she and Cord had worked out over the past five and a half years, Alyssa still found the young officer to be amazingly astute. ‘That pretty much sums up my thoughts, too,’ she said.

When Sandra remained quiet, Alyssa darted a quick glance her way. It was immediately clear to her that her newest team member was preoccupied as she studied the image of a smiling Hayden Benson leaning up against a tree with his jacket casually hooked over one finger so it draped over his back. In the picture – the same one that he’d written his message of devotion to his future with Elizabeth on – he appeared ready to take on the world.

How long before he discovered he was going to be a dad had the photograph been taken, Alyssa wondered.

‘You know, I’m looking at this picture Elizabeth loaned us, and Hayden Benson seems to have it all – looks, and from that smile, charm. I just can’t get over the Bensons’ lack of interest in their son’s disappearance. It doesn’t make sense at all. I mean, I can’t even imagine the helplessness and the horror I’d feel if I had a child who suddenly vanished without a trace, not knowing if I’d ever see him again. Can you?’

Sandra’s words brought to the surface memories of Alyssa and her family alternately pacing the floors or curling up on Isaac’s bed all while checking the phones glued to their palms every thirty seconds in case they missed that one call that would tell them where he was, or better yet, bring him home. ‘Actually, I don’t have to imagine. It’s a feeling I’m more than familiar with.’