When Kates phone rang, all three of them looked toward it. Even Michelle knew the sound of a cell phone ringer, her little hands reaching out for it as she moved into a seated position on the blanket. Kate plucked the phone from the coffee table, assuming it would be Melissa calling to check on Michelle.

But it wasnt Melissa. The name on the display read: Duran.

She was torn when she saw the name. A large part of her was excited at the prospect of helping out with a case. But the part that was enamored in the current moment didnt want to answer the phone. While it could be Duran simply calling with a question or research requestsomething he had been doing more and more these last few monthsshe also knew that it could be something more pressing and time consuming.

Kate could tell that Allen had already pieced together who was calling. Maybe he figured it out by the indecision on her face.

She answered the call dutifully, still quite proud that she was still actively working with the bureau despite being on the tail end of fifty-six.

Hello, Director, she said. To what do I owe the pleasure?

Good evening, Wise. Look…weve got a situation not too far from your neck of the woods. A double homicide and missing person. All the same case. Its got a small-town feel to itso small that the local PD is admitting that they are unprepared for it. Because theres a missing persons element to itthe missing person being a fifteen-year-old girlId like for you and DeMarco to try to wrap it quietly before the news hears about it and makes it a much harder case than it has to be.

Any details yet? Kate asked.

Not many. But heres what I know so far.

As she listened to Director Duran, letting her know why he was calling and what hed need her to do over the next twelve hours or so, she looked sadly at Allen and Michelle.

The call ended three minutes later. She set the phone back down and caught Allen looking at her. There was a tired smile of understanding on his face.

So maybe we can try the winery and bed and breakfast thing some other weekend? she said.

He smiled back sadly, then turned away.

Yeah, maybe, he said.

He stared out the window, as if staring at their future, and Kate could see his uncertainty.

She couldnt blame him; she herself didnt know what her own future held.

But she knew one thing: someone was dead out there, and she damn sure was going to find out who did it.

CHAPTER TWO