Harv continued. “Keep you eyes closed. What happened next?”

“He said he didn’t care about Duane. He wanted someone else.”

“Okay, I want you to keep your eyes closed. Take another deep breath and let it out slowly. Everything you’re remembering will help us find your girls. Let’s drive to the house in Lomas Santa Fe together. You turn north on El Camino Real and go up the hill. Do you remember crossing any streets with stop signs? Anything like that?”

“Yes, we went past a stop sign, but I don’t know the street’s name.”

“Don’t worry about that. What does the house look like?”

“I don’t know. I’ve never seen it. Duane didn’t want me to drive up.”

“You can’t see it from the street?”

“No.”

“So you drop the girls off at the driveway and they walk up to the house?”

“It’s a safe neighborhood. Duane meets them at the top of the driveway.”

“The house is above the street?”

“Yes.”

“What does the driveway look like? Is it asphalt or concrete?”

“No. It’s made of bricks.”

“Bricks? Or pavers? Maybe interlocking pavers?”

“Yes, pavers.”

“Does the property have a fence?”

“Yes.”

“A rail fence?”

“Yes. It’s white.”

“You’re doing great, Ms. Dalton. Is there an electric gate to get in?”

“Yes.”

“Which side of the street is it on?”

“The right side.”

“Okay, picture the entrance in your mind. You pull up to the driveway and stop. The electric gate is on the right. The girls get out. Can they walk around the gate?”

“Yes, it’s just to stop cars.”

“Is the gate white too?”

“I don’t remember.”

“What else do you see? Does the entrance have anything architectural? An arch, maybe some stone columns? Anything like that?”

“A stump.”

“Stump? What do you mean?”

“There’s a big eucalyptus stump next to the gate.”

“From a cut-down tree?”

“The girls wanted to know why the owner did it.”

“It’s cut pretty low to the ground?”

“They can climb on it.”

Harv looked his way. He pointed to his wrist.

“Thank you, Ms. Dalton,” Harv said. “You can open your eyes now.”

Nathan took over, moving closer to Nichole Dalton and gently taking her hand. “You’ve given us really helpful information. The man who kidnapped you is very resourceful. If we take you to a hospital, the police will get involved. The news media monitor police and fire frequencies. Lots of people do the same thing with scanners. We’re going to tend to your needs outside the normal chain of the EMS. It’s the only way to ensure you’ll remain hidden and safe. You need to trust us. What I’m about to say may sound insensitive based on everything you’ve been through, but it’s not my intent. Okay?”

She nodded.