The angry eyes softened into something fearful, as if she was used to bad news and figured she was about to get more.

She didn't have an accident, did she? I don't think I could take that right now.

Do you know a young woman named Ivy Casik?

I don't know any Ivy Casik. My daughter is Jonna Hill. She has the car, but I guess she could've loaned it out. What happened?

I tried to see past her again, and held up my hand to indicate Ivy's height.

This tall. A big girl, athletic, with straight hair. A heart tattooed here on her arm.

Her eyes fluttered with even more fear, then she pivoted on the cane and grabbed the wall for support as she headed into the house. She pointed the cane at something deep in the room I could not see, so I followed her.

The small living room was as ragged as the yard, with threadbare furniture that smelled of sour flesh and pickles. An ancient console television sat under the window, but it probably hadn't worked in years. She was using it as a table. A small Hitachi portable was on the console, along with a couple of pictures. She jabbed the cane toward one of the pictures.

That's Jonna right there. Don't you dare tell me something bad.

The picture was yet another high school graduation portrait, the kind every school in America takes during senior year so they can sell different sizes to you and your family. Jonna was Ivy, of course, only younger, with naturally dark hair. I had seen a lot of these graduation pictures in the past week, but Jonna Hill's picture was not the last. A picture of Yvonne Bennett was beside it.

I stared at Yvonne for a while, then looked at Sara Hill. The only part of her I saw in her daughters were the eyes. Seeds of anger were deep in their eyes.

Joe Pike stepped out of the kitchen, as quiet as air moving through air.

She's not here.

Mrs. Hill staggered sideways in surprise, catching herself on her cane.

Jesus Lord, what is this? Who are you?

I gave her a gentle smile.

It's all right, Mrs. Hill. He's the police, too. We just wanted to make sure everyone was safe.

I glanced at Pike.

See if she left anything.

Mrs. Hill waved the cane after him as he disappeared.

Where's he going? What's he going to do?

Look around. It's a cop thing. We always look around.

She jabbed at the picture again.

You better not be from the credit and lied to get in here. Jonna warned me the credit might send a man looking for her.

I kept my voice gentle, just like the smile.

Did Jonna tell you she was hiding from a collection agency?

She got behind, is all. You know how these kids do with the plastic. She said they were getting mean about it and if anyone came I should say I don't know where she is and haven't heard from her.