Graham nodded. “Obviously the idea of a third party makes this theory very compelling. A blackmail attempt colors the whole investigation.”

“I tried to buy him off. He set up a meet and didn’t show. He’s playing games.”

“You should have told me.”

“I’m telling you now.”

“When was this?”

“Earlier tonight. He was just poking me, torturing me.”

“Where were you supposed to meet?”

“Right outside the city limits. He never came. Something’s happened to her. I know it. No one believes me.”

He sounded petulant now, and the cop eyed him like he was a weak, ridiculous child, whining because he couldn’t get a piece of candy in line at the grocery. She took a deep breath, blew it out her nose.

“Mr. Montclair, I believe you. And I have to say, I am starting to agree with you. Something has happened to your wife. We need to change focus, start actively searching for her. We’re currently tracing the calls to your house and cell. We’ll be very discreet, but we’re going to have to get someone in here to guide you in how to talk to Wilde if he calls or texts again. If he’s telling the truth, and he knows where Sutton is, she could very easily be in danger.”

The relief he felt was enormous. Relief, and a new fear. “I think that’s rather clear-cut already, don’t you?”

“I will admit something doesn’t add up. An email you claim you didn’t send, a password different from what you knew. A thwarted blackmail attempt. The woman in the video not being your wife. I’ll take it all to my boss and lay it out for him. And if Wilde calls again, you keep him on the phone as long as you possibly can.”

“Officer Graham? Is it possible for passwords to be changed remotely?”

Her brow wrinkled for a moment. “I’m not an IT expert, but I would assume if someone had managed to overtake a computer with a virus, then yes, that’s entirely within the bounds of reality.”

She reached out and touched him on the shoulder. Ethan wanted to weep. The touch was gentle, soft, opposite of everything he’d been getting for the past two days.

“We’ll figure it out, sir. I’ll be in touch.”

* * *

Holly believed him. Maybe she wasn’t a seasoned investigator yet, maybe she was being snookered. But damn if she didn’t believe him. Now she had to find a way to investigate Wilde without him knowing Ethan had shared the blackmail demand. It was definitely time for a seasoned detective to step in. She wasn’t about to blow this case, and there were suddenly more moving parts than she could handle alone. One thing she’d learned from her dad, don’t be afraid to ask for help.