The HR woman on the phone said, "He's at work, I'll have him call you."

Milo said, "It would be better if I talk to him now, ma'am."

"May I ask what this is concerning?"

"A family matter," said Milo.

"Emilio's family?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"The police--oh, dear. You're not saying something terrible has happened?"

"Terrible things happen all the time, but Mr. Mendoza's family is fine."

"Then why--"

"If you'd prefer, I can drop by, talk to him in person. Maybe shoot a few holes."

"Hold on, I'll try to find him."

A few minutes later, a soft, lightly accented male voice said, "This is Emilio."

Milo misrepresented himself again as still active, but made no mention of homicide. "Sorry for bothering you, Mr. Mendoza, but I need to talk to Martin."

"Martin?" Marteen, emphasis on the second syllable. "Why, sir?"

"It's concerning his tutor, Elise Freeman."

"Her," said Mendoza. "She's no longer his tutor."

"She's no longer anyone's tutor, sir. She's deceased."

"You're kidding--my God, that's terrible. The police? She was hurt by someone? Why do you need to talk to Martin?"

"We're talking to all her former students, Mr. Mendoza. Trying to learn everything we can about her."

Long silence. "That's the only reason?"

"What do you mean, sir?"

"You don't suspect Martin of something?"

"No, sir, we'd just like to talk to him. You can be there, or his mother can, I'm happy to come to your home, keep everything low-key."

"Martin didn't spend much time with her, sir. He took a few lessons, that's all."

"I know, sir, but we've got a list to go through. Routine, nothing to be worried about. Is Martin ill today?"

"Ill?"

"He wasn't at school."

"You went to the school?" Mendoza's voice cracked on the last word.

"We did."

"They told you he was ill?"

"No," said Milo. "Just that he wasn't there. Is he home?"

Silence.

"Sir?"

"No," said Emilio Mendoza. "He is not at home."

"Where is he, then?"

Silence.

"Mr. Mendoza."

"I don't know."

"Martin ran away?"

"His mother and I came home from work, he was gone. He left his cell phone. He didn't take anything that we can see. My wife is sick, she is throwing up."

"How long ago did he leave?"

"Three days ago," said Mendoza.

Shortly after the murder.

Milo said, "When you last saw him he was at home?"

"In bed, he said he was sick. We thought he looked okay, was just sick of school. We were tired of arguing, so we let him stay home."

"Sick of school in general, or Prep in particular?"

"He didn't like that place." Emilio Mendoza's voice faltered. "Three days. My wife is having a real hard time."

"Have you called the police?"

"I was going to. Today. I kept hoping he'd come home. When you called I thought maybe you found him. Somewhere."

Milo said, "Kids drop out for a few days all the time, I see it all the time."