“Very true. I hear a but coming.”

“But...”

Moreno laughed. “You’re okay, Graham. I take it the call from last night is bugging you?”

“Yes, it is. It was so vehement. So completely convinced that Ethan hurt Sutton.”

“You’re right to be concerned. It was a burner phone. It will take more resources than we have to trace its origins. It could have been bought anywhere. Have you talked to her friends?”

“We have a coffee date late this morning. At the Starbucks they all hang out at, on the square.”

“My advice? Bump it up. Get with them now, get with them individually. See if you recognize a voice.”

“All right. I’ll do that. The online situation is really the most interesting. The blogger who did the majority of the stories on Sutton, his name is Wilde, Colin Wilde. He spends his time doing Page Six–esque reports on authors and publishers. Silly stuff, faux-scandals. I didn’t realize writers were such divas. His readership is rather large, considering, so he has enough of a platform to make trouble for people.”

“Could he have something to do with this? Maybe he’s trying to create his own news event?”

“It’s possible, though violence seems to be a big leap. He strikes me as a creep but not one who has the guts to actually do anything, if you know what I mean.”

“Keep on him.”

“I read through Sutton’s responses to the online accusations, and she doesn’t seem hysterical to me. She seems rather cold, actually. Practical, I guess that’s the word I’m looking for. Her verbiage is very precise.”

“Could a PR flack have prepared it for her?”

“Sure, I guess so. I need to find this Wilde character. So far, there’s no information on his whereabouts outside of a PO box. I was going to start digging into him this morning. And now you’re up to speed.”

“Keep me in the loop. And, Graham? Good job. If this gets any bigger, I’ll partner you up with one of my detectives, give you some more brainpower.”

She hung up half-flushed, happy for the praise, hoping she’d made a good impression, and grateful she might get a chance to work with someone who would assure she didn’t leave any stones unturned.

She grabbed her notebook and dialed the first number on her list, Ivy Brookes. Ivy answered on the first ring.

“Officer Graham? Did you find her?”

“We haven’t yet, ma’am. I know we’re scheduled to talk later in the morning, but could I come by now? I have a few questions I’d like to clear up.”