She’d laughed at him. How could a biologist believe in ghosts? He couldn’t answer; he just did. Ana shook her head. Not she. She wouldn’t hear of it. And yet, standing in the library just then, with the book open and the sun dropping into the sea, she wasn’t sure that if he was there she’d laugh at him anymore.

Fourteen

Early the next morning, Mrs. McIntyre rushed into the kitchen, out of breath, hair uncombed. Kevin was just pouring coffee into his mug.

Have you seen Mrs. Liang? she asked.

No, Kevin said.

She glanced nervously around the kitchen, darted to the back door, and peered through the screen. Kevin set the coffeepot down.

I think we have a situation. She turned to Kevin. Her husband can’t find her.

Did he look in the garden? Kevin suggested. Sometimes I’ve seen her there.

The garden, the beach. Apparently he’s looked everywhere. Mrs. McIntyre exhaled. He woke up this morning and she was gone.

Kevin rinsed his hands and wiped them on a towel.

Please—she started from the room—would you come with me?

Of course, Kevin replied and followed her into the hall.

Mr. Liang sat crumpled in a chair in the dining room. He was speaking hurriedly in bits of broken English and Mandarin. Diana Olmstead sat beside him, one hand on his forearm, cane between her legs. Mr. Liang was relating the story he’d already told Mrs. McIntyre: How he’d woken that morning and his wife was gone along with the framed photograph of their daughter and her little black backpack. He’d headed down to the beach to look for her because some mornings she went there. He found her slippers about a quarter mile from the cottage, near the water’s edge, but no Mrs. Liang.

He reached beneath the chair and brought up a pair of sand-encrusted slippers to show them.

It’s okay, dear, Diana Olmstead whispered and patted Mr. Liang’s arm. I’m sure we’ll find her.

He put the slippers back down, removed his glasses, and wiped his red eyes. He said he’d taken something the night before to help him sleep, and now he blamed himself. He should have been more careful. He lowered his head into both hands, and his shoulders began shaking.

Claartija wandered into the room, blanket over her back, and looked at Kevin.

What happened? she whispered.

Mr. Liang’s wife is missing.

Oh great. Claartija rolled her eyes.

Have you seen her?

Me?

She can’t be far, Diana Olmstead announced. Perhaps she went for a longer walk than usual.

She glanced over Mr. Liang’s head at Kevin.

Why don’t I look around the house? Kevin suggested.

Claartija offered to help.

Diana, Mrs. McIntyre said and gestured to the man. Would you…

Yes, dear, I’ll stay with him.

Thank you. I need to make some phone calls.