They moved to the stairs at once, Rachel taking the lead. Is he speaking clearly? she asked.

For now. He finally calmed down enough to speak more than two sentences without losing his mind. When he heard there were FBI agents here, he asked to speak with you.

The officer led them back inside, through a large kitchen and then into a living room. Mr. Ragland sat on the couch, with two cops standing around in different parts of the living room. As Rachel and Jack entered the room, Stanhope and Brown made their way down the stairs. They all nodded to one another as they made their way out back as Rachel and Jack moved into the living room.

Ryan Ragland looked to be about the same age as his now-deceased wife, likely forty-five or so. His eyes were swollen from crying and he looked pale. As he regarded Rachel and Jack, Rachel noted that one of the cops that had been in the room moved toward the stairs. She assumed he was the one in charge of making sure a heartbroken and distressed Ryan Ragland didnt try to bolt upstairs to see his wife one last time.

Mr. Ragland, Im Special Agent Rachel Gift, and this is my partner, Agent Rivers. You wanted to speak with us?

Well, sure. I need to know for certain whoever did this is going to be caught. Its not just that he took Christina from me tonight…but according to the call we got earlier, this makes three people, right?

Thats right, Rachel answered. So any information you could give us would be an enormous help.

I already told the cops…I have no idea how this happened. No clue at all. We got the call and Christina saw the police car the moment it pulled up across the street. We had dinner, watched some TV, and then she went to bed.

What time was that? Jack asked.

About quarter after ten. It was a little earlier than she usually turns in, but I figured the stress of the call from the police had something to do with it.

And when she went upstairs, you stayed downstairs? Rachel asked.

Yes, for another hour or so. I think the call bothered me more than her. I dont know if she took it seriously or if it was just too unreal, or…

He trailed off here, looking to the far wall, to the TVs blank screen. For a moment, Rachel was worried theyd already lost him. She could sense an immense wave of grief behind his eyes, but he managed to push it away for now.

Mr. Ragland, I need to ask you a few difficult questions, Rachel said. I understand if you cant get through all of them but

He waved her warnings away with a flip of his hand. Its okay. Just go ahead.