‘But you’re here to speak about Hayden’s disappearance. And I’m rambling because it’s been quite some time, and my family’s gotten so used to everyone insisting he ran off. And now my mother’s health is failing, and I’m afraid of what this will do to her…’ She inhaled deeply, releasing a shaky breath. ‘And I’m rambling again.’ She waved one hand to two chairs opposite a porch swing, which she sat in. ‘Please sit. It’ll make me far less nervous. I think. Or maybe it won’t.’

Perching on the edge of the water-stained cushions, Alyssa couldn’t help but think that, to her eyes and ears, Rosalyn Benson didn’t read like the type of person who wouldn’t want to explore any and every avenue of her brother’s disappearance.

No sooner had Cord situated himself beside her, than the toddler flopped forward as she held her tiny little arms out to him. Pushing her pacifier to the side, she said, ‘Hode!’

Rosalyn pulled her back even as Cord’s hands automatically reached out to catch the little one. ‘She wants you to hold her. Bobbie Jo, stay here with Auntie.’

‘Down. Hode!’ Bobbie Jo insisted.

Whether it was because he wanted to get down to business or because he thought the tyke was too adorable to resist, Cord said, ‘I don’t mind holding her while we speak, as long as you’re okay with it.’

After a second of consideration, Rosalyn sighed and released the little girl, helping as she flipped onto her belly and slid off the swing, toddling over to Cord with outstretched arms. ‘Hode,’ she demanded again.

He is so toast when his twins arrive, Alyssa thought as she watched her partner bounce the little girl on his leg and smile down at her efforts to play peek-a-boo. Turning back to Hayden’s sister, she said, ‘Why don’t you begin by telling us what you remember about your brother’s disappearance.’

Rosalyn’s eyes shifted to a wall of trees separating her yard from a neighboring field. With a faraway look and a moccasin-clad foot pushing the swing into a gentle sway, she began. ‘It was a Friday. April thirteenth.’ A laugh that fell far short of humorous drifted off with the breeze. ‘The irony, of course, is exactly how much Hayden loved his horror flicks. I can’t tell you how often he dressed up as Freddy or Jason or Michael for Halloween, as a child or even as a teenager staying home to hand out candy. It’s like there were never any other options out there.’

Happiness, love, and indulgence shone through her words as she relayed her memory of that night, holding even the wiggly toddler captivated.