The bastard who has been supporting his sister-in-law for the last four years since Melissa has been living on her own. Decker could hear her pacing in the background. “Have you heard from Chris?”

“What do you mean?”

“Has he called you?”

“Why would he call me?”

Go slow. “Melissa, there is a very definite possibility that he killed her. There is also a possibility that he didn’t do it and is looking for her. He might call you for information.”

“What kind of information?”

“Have-you-heard-from-Terry kind of information.”

“Why would I hear from her if he killed her?”

Decker sighed to himself. “Maybe he didn’t kill her. Maybe she disappeared on her own.”

“She would never leave Gabe. She was constantly afraid of what Chris might do to him.”

“Did he abuse Gabe?”

“Not that she told me, but Chris is capable of anything.”

Approach the subject from a different angle. Decker said, “Melissa, if Terry were to run away—and I’m not saying she did—but if she were to escape, any idea where she might go? Did she have a favorite place where she liked to vacation?”

“Vacation! Hah! The guy wouldn’t let her out of his sight. She had no freedom. Her one stab at freedom was moving out here after he beat the shit out of her. And now she’s gone.”

“So you don’t know of any place or country where she might have escaped to.”

“You’re not hearing me. She wouldn’t leave Gabe…could you excuse me? I’ve got a call on the other line.”

“Sure.” Decker rolled his eyes. Patience. She was just a kid herself.

She came back on a minute later. “Hi. I’ve got to go. Just find the bastard, okay?”

“Okay. If the bastard happens to contact you, can you let me know?”

“If he comes anywhere near my door, I’m calling 911.”

“Probably a good idea. If Terry happens to contact you, let me know as well.”

“If she contacts me, it’ll be during a séance. ’Cause the way I see it, the only way she’s gonna talk to me is from the grave.” She hung up.

Kathy Blanc was next in Decker’s long line of obligations.

“When can we give her a proper burial?” the grieving mother asked.

“I have a call in to the pathologist,” Decker said. “I’ll call you as soon as the release comes through.”

“And when will that be?”

“Not too long. Probably by the end of the week at most.”

“That’s a very long time.”

“I’ll try to speed things up. Thanks for being patient.”

“Do I have a choice?” When Decker didn’t answer, she said, “How is my daughter’s case coming along?”

“We’re going through her friends and acquaintances.”

“What if it wasn’t one of her friends or acquaintances?”