Dani was well aware that the interpreter’s expression was a more honest representation of her true feelings. The serene face was Meredith’s way of dealing with the harsh realities of her job.

Michael’s session must have been brutal, and no wonder, after the conversation he and Diesel had had the night before. Dani was still raw from hearing it. She’d lain awake for hours, her good ear on the steady thumping of Diesel’s heart. Diesel, on the other hand, had slept like a baby, waking up bright-eyed and refreshed. Maybe sharing his story the night before had brought him some peace. Or maybe it was that they were finally together as he’d hoped for so long. Either way, she was glad one of them had slept.

“Is Michael okay?” Joshua asked in a tremulous voice, reminding them once again how intuitive—and adult—this child had been forced to become.

Meredith ruffled his hair. “He will be. Give him a little space for now. I, for one, could use a cup of tea. Maria, can I get you something?”

Maria looked up from her phone, distracted. “What? Oh. No, thank you. I need . . .” She faltered, frowning at her phone again. “Dani, can I talk to you for a moment? Privately?”

Dani shared a quick look with Meredith, noting that her friend looked bewildered. “I’ll be right back,” she told Joshua, kissing him on the cheek, then settling him back in his own chair.

She led Maria to the entertainment room, which sat empty. Michael was still in the condo’s office, where they’d had his session, and Diesel was working in the bedroom they shared.

“It’s Andrew McNab,” Maria said as soon as Dani had closed the door.

The dread that had been sitting heavy in Dani’s gut immediately grew to fill her chest, making it hard to breathe. “The interpreter who helped when Michael went to the police station. What about him?”

“He didn’t show up for work this morning and would never miss work without calling in for a substitute. He interprets in an elementary school. He’d never leave the child without support. The agency switchboard said he’d been called to the police station on Sunday to interpret for a deaf man who’d been arrested. Our office manager called the police. They haven’t made any arrests in the deaf community for weeks.”

Dani hit Deacon’s speed dial. “This is important,” she said before her brother could say a word. She handed the phone to Maria. “My brother, Agent Novak. Tell him what you told me.”

A light knock on the door startled her. She’d put on her processor that morning without Diesel having to remind her and small sounds from behind her had been driving her crazy all day. The door opened and Diesel stuck his head in.

“You okay?” he mouthed.