Tess stared at Takano. She’d known the woman was not happy with her assignment. But a lapse like this was inexcusable. The girl was supposed to be kept safe and secure. Where would she go?

“How long ago did she leave?”

Takano shook her head. “I don’t know. I went to get her for lunch and she wasn’t in her room.”

“She left on foot? She couldn’t have gotten far.”

“I know; that’s why I came here. I thought maybe she’d come to the market.” She grabbed a fistful of her hair. “Oh, man, I’ve messed up. My head was not in the game.”

“Let’s check inside the market,” Oliver suggested, his calming voice meant to settle Takano, Tess was certain.

Tess nodded and walked past Mia. And nearly ran into Chevy.

The girl had a bag of groceries in one arm, was staring down at a pay-as-you-go cell phone in the other.

“Hey.” Tess reached for the free arm, afraid the girl would flee. Keeping her voice low, tone even, Tess said, “What on earth? What do you think you’re doing?”

Chevy tensed; then her brows lowered in anger. “Shopping. Am I under arrest? I thought I was free. Didn’t you cops free me?” She tried to jerk away, and Tess was painfully aware that everyone was watching. Chevy was now the center of attention, exactly what she shouldn’t be.

Before Tess could speak, Oliver stepped up. “Chevy, we were worried about you.” He spoke in a soothing voice, a low tone Tess had come to love for its calm, sure strength. It was also commanding in a way—it made people listen. “All of us are simply concerned about you.”

The girl’s attention shifted from Tess to Oliver and she relaxed.

“I know you are,” she said to Oliver. “But these other two are jailers. I just wanted to get out, get some fresh air, find current things to read, not feel like a prisoner.”

Tess released the girl’s arm and Oliver moved in beside her. “I had no idea that was so important to you. How about we talk about this elsewhere?” He gestured toward Takano’s car.

For a second, Tess thought the girl would resist.

“If you’re going to drag me back, I’ll go back with you, not with them.”

“Good, fine.” Oliver looked to Tess and she nodded.

“You know the phone is out of the question, right?” Tess asked, holding out her hand, wondering if the girl would hand it over.

“It cost me thirty bucks.”

“Chevy, I heard Agent Takano explain the rules to you. A phone is a clear no-no,” Oliver said. “Give the chief the phone. She’ll either pay you back or return the phone to you when all this is over.”

Chevy huffed and jammed the phone toward Tess. “Fine then.”