“I’m being blackmailed. And I think Sutton might have been, too. I think that’s why she’s run away.”

It took a moment, but relief swept through her. The idea of a concrete villain made everyone’s lives easier. Holly made mental notes. She had to call Moreno, had to call the TBI, the FBI, get all her ducks in a row.

But first, she needed every detail Montclair could provide.

“Tell me.”

He did, finishing with, “Someone’s spying on me. I know it.”

“You sound very paranoid, sir.”

“You would be, too, if you knew what I know. We have to take this seriously. I have to find her. She has to be okay.”

“First, I have to tell my boss.”

“No, you can’t tell anyone.”

“Mr. Montclair, this is nonnegotiable. We both have a lot to lose right now. I’ll be right back to you. Don’t move, don’t talk to anyone.”

She called Moreno. “You might want to meet me at the Montclairs’ house. We’ve got a blackmail attempt ongoing.”

“Who’s blackmailing whom?”

“The blogger who made their lives hell has apparently called and asked for fifty grand in exchange for information about Sutton Montclair leaving the house in the wee hours. He claims he saw her get into a black car and drive off into the night, and that he knows where she is.”

“Think it’s legit?”

“It’s been a solid forty-eight hours since she went missing. The timing stands. Then again, these are public people. It’s entirely possible someone’s playing a cruel joke.”

“Is that what you think’s happening?”

“I don’t know. There is fifty grand missing from their accounts, and Ethan Montclair just tossed out the idea that Sutton was being blackmailed, too.”

“He said that?”

“Not in so many words, but he intimated that perhaps she paid off whoever it was and then ran. Either this guy is playing us like a fiddle, or something shady’s going on.”

“I’ll meet you there. Give me an hour. I’m tied up.”

* * *

Ethan spilled his guts, and Holly took copious notes.

As he talked, a text message came into his phone. It said, Don’t you dare mention me to the cop. I’ll know if you do.

Ethan handed the phone to Graham. “It says cop. Not cops.”

“Do you think that means something?”

“I do. I think it means he’s watching. You’re a single cop. He saw you come over.”

“You may be right.” She called her boss again. Ethan could hear the gruff voice of Sergeant Moreno, tried to ignore it.

“Sir, we’ve received another threat. I think it would be better if you stayed away. I think Wilde can see the house. He seems to be aware that I’m here. If the whole squad arrives, he’ll know.”

“Do we have a trace on Montclair’s phone?”