“Bella doesn’t lose things. And anyway, she keeps track of all our calls electronically. She has a phone log.” Leigh looked out at the lake. “Which reminds me . . .”

Brandon eased closer. “What?”

“Nothing.” She had an idea, but she didn’t want to share it with him yet.

His partner tromped over, looking tired and even more frustrated than Brandon. He had his sleeves rolled up, and his nice black dress shoes were caked with mud.

“Leigh Larson.” She stuck out her hand. “I saw you at the courthouse, but we haven’t been introduced yet.” She shot a look at Brandon. “I’m Vanessa’s lawyer.”

He gave her hand a firm shake. “Antonio Peña. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Vanessa’s sister is here,” Brandon told him.

“I know.” He turned toward the minivan. “Let me talk to her, and then we can head out.”

He walked up the hill, and Brandon looked at Leigh.

“Bella wouldn’t have lost the message,” Leigh reiterated. “But on the subject of messages, I was going to suggest you check the messages on Vanessa’s cell phone.”

“We’d love to, once we get a warrant.”

“Also, her computer. If she was having the kind of trouble I think she was, then you’ll probably find evidence of it. You should check her search history.”

“According to the sister, she doesn’t have a home computer. She used her phone and her computer at work for everything.”

“Well, check the computer at work, then.”

His phone buzzed, and he pulled it out. Leigh could tell from his expression he had to go.

“I need to take this.”

She nodded. “And I need to get back to the office. Keep me posted, okay?”

He gave a brisk nod and stepped away to take the call.

*   *   *

Antonio’s chest tightened with dread as he approached the minivan at the end of the row. Kate buzzed down the window.

“Hi,” he said.

“Hi.”

She didn’t look good. Her eyes were pink and puffy, and it was obvious she’d been crying. Sylvie was strapped into her car seat in back, watching cartoons on an iPad.

Antonio leaned his arm against the roof of the van.

“You all right?” he asked, and immediately regretted it.

Kate started to say something, then bit her lip.

“The divers haven’t found anything,” he said.

She glanced over her shoulder. Sylvie had her thumb in her mouth and seemed absorbed with her show.

“I know I shouldn’t come here,” Kate said in a low voice. “But I can’t stay away.”

“You been coming here a lot?”

She nodded.

That was messed up. But who was he to judge? Antonio had four younger sisters, and if anything like this ever happened he’d be out of his mind with worry.