“No. Well, once a few years ago. Her car broke down, and she needed to get it fixed. But it’s been a while since she asked for money. She has a good job now at the dermatology clinic.”

“How about problems with a boyfriend?”

“Like I said on the phone, she isn’t dating anyone that I’m aware of.”

“What about ex-boyfriends?”

“What about them?”

“Any problem with anyone from her past? In the last year, maybe?”

“I don’t think so. She broke up with someone in the spring, but it sounded like no big deal.”

He perked up. “When was this?”

“Maybe . . . after Valentine’s Day? I think they’re still friends. They sometimes go to movies together.”

“You know his name?”

“I’ve never met him. Cooper somebody. They only dated a few months.”

“You know where they met?”

She shook her head. “Online possibly? I know she uses some dating apps, but she doesn’t talk to me about them. She knows I don’t approve.”

“Why not?”

Her brow furrowed. “I told her it was dangerous. I mean, who knows who you’re meeting?” She stood abruptly and went over to the sink. She grabbed a sponge and started scrubbing down a cookie sheet. “You think that’s what happened, don’t you? She met up with some man that hurt her?”

Antonio watched as she furiously scrubbed the pan.

“She’s always been too trusting. Always.” She glanced up from the sink, and she looked like she might cry again. “Three older brothers looking out for her, she grew up with blinders on. She doesn’t see the bad in people, especially men.” She tossed down the sponge and looked out the window at her daughters.

Antonio just watched her. Sympathy churned in his stomach. She understood why he was here right now. She understood he was treating this as a homicide investigation, even though it wasn’t official yet.

She grabbed a dish towel and dabbed her eyes. “I’m trying to keep it together for the girls, but this is hard. I’m scared.”

“I understand.”

His words seemed inadequate, but she didn’t seem to be listening anyway. She took a plate down from a cabinet and filled it with cookies, then returned to the table.

“Here.” She put the plate in front of him and forced a smile. “I can tell you’re hungry.”

“Thanks.”

She sat down and took a deep breath, trying to regain her composure. “Sorry I’m emotional.”

“You don’t have to be sorry.”

“I just wish . . .”

“What?”

“Nothing.”

Antonio picked up a cookie and took a bite. The brown sugar melted on his tongue, and he forced himself not to wolf down the whole plate.

She looked at him. “Can I ask you something?”

He nodded.

“What do you think happened?”