Once again thinking of the kidnapped girls, Alyssa’s mind automatically flashed to the pictures the team had posted on their briefing board, a visual reminder of what was at stake. And along with that came the knowledge that Grace and the Childresses were likely at home battling that ever-present sensation of nerves shredding while waiting for word – praying that word would not be the worst they’d ever receive.

The thought of what horrors the girls could be enduring right this minute distracted her, and she just barely avoided chopping her finger off, instead nicking it. ‘Ouch, damn it,’ she swore as she turned on the faucet and ran her hand under water. ‘I’m sorry. I asked you a question, and then I didn’t listen to your answer. I was lost in my case.’

Holly nodded her understanding. ‘I figured when you didn’t say anything. But to answer your question – again – Jersey’s doing okay. She’s found a way to avoid going near the duck pond to get to her psych class, which has helped a lot.’ It was near the duck pond on campus that Jersey had been drugged, thus beginning her week-long traumatic ordeal. ‘She and Rachel still have to leave all the lights on in the house.’

‘I imagine that’ll take some more time and a lot more healing.’ Setting down her knife and wiping her hands off on the dishtowel, Alyssa framed Holly’s cheeks in her hands. ‘I’m glad you girls have each other.’ Silently, she prayed that, somehow, Addis and Emerson were also able to find strength in each other wherever they were.

‘Me, too,’ Holly said, and it took Alyssa a second to realize her daughter hadn’t just read her mind but was talking about her own friends. ‘And I’m glad those girls have you and Cord on their case. They have the best. What are their names again?’

‘Addis and Emerson.’

‘That’s right. The district attorney’s niece, right? I heard that on the news.’

The conversation dropped when Brock walked into the kitchen, his hand gripped beneath his mother’s elbow as he helped her to the table. ‘I thought I heard my girl in here.’ He kissed the top of Holly’s head, then slowly turned in a circle. ‘No Nick?’ There was only the slightest tightening to his voice, and Alyssa had to duck her head to hide her smile. Her husband was having a little bit of trouble these days adjusting to sharing his ‘baby girl’s’ time with another man.

Holly rolled her eyes good-naturedly. ‘No, Dad. He had other plans tonight.’

Just like that, Brock’s face lit up. ‘Good. That means we get you to ourselves for a while.’

‘Yes, you do.’ The twinkle bounced back into Holly’s eyes as she and Alyssa silently shared their amusement with each other.