“Some new information has surfaced and Deputy Lynch would like to ask a few more questions.” Sheriff Huggins stood in the doorway, his eyes fixed on Jolene, who kept rubbing her arm. “Would you like an attorney present?”

“We didn’t need one the last time,” Jolene’s mom scoffed. “As long as we hurry this up. I’ve got a nail appointment at four.”

A few more seconds ticked by before Sheriff Huggins excused himself, along with Deputy Wilson. They would be in the next room watching the interview through the two-way mirror.

“Just like before, our conversation will be recorded.” Charlie sat and placed his notebook and file on the table before pointing to the camera perched in the corner of the room. “Any objections?”

Jolene shook her head. Her mother said no.

“How are you doing, Jolene?”

“I’m okay,” she answered slowly.

“Good. Like Sheriff Huggins said, we’ve come across some new information we’d like to ask you about.” He opened the file and pulled out the same paper the sheriff had read from just minutes earlier. “Is this your Twitter account?”

Jolene leaned across the table. “Yes.”

“Do you remember posting these comments?”

“Yes.” Jolene leaned back and crossed her arms. “Why?”

“What about these?” He laid out still shots of the self-storage video surveillance side by side. “Do you recognize anything?”

Her blue eyes flicked down at the images for a second. Her mother leaned over and picked up one photo, then another. She gasped. “That’s Sydney.”

Charlie lifted his eyebrows, waiting for Jolene’s answer.

“It’s Sydney,” she agreed.

“Do you recognize anything else?”

“I don’t think so.”

“What about now?” Charlie pulled another set of photos. He placed the enhanced images of the car and license plate number on top of the others.

Ms. Carson smirked. “That’s your car.” Suddenly, a frown displaced the smirk. “Wait. That’s your car?”

Jolene bit her lip.

“Is that your car?” He stared at the teenage girl trying to sink into the chair. Her eyes flashed to her mother and back to him. “Jolene?”

“Yes, I’m sorry. I should’ve told you, but I was scared. It was supposed to be a joke. We never thought she’d get hurt, but—”

“We?”

“Annabeth and I.” Jolene glanced at her mom, who was stock-still. “It was a joke. Sydney was blowing us off. Keeping secrets. We would never have left her if we knew she . . .”

“Tell me what happened,” Charlie said.

“We thought she’d call her mom or dad or whoever she’d been spending so much time with. It was a joke.”

“You were with Sydney the night she disappeared.”

“Yes.” Jolene swallowed.

“Was Annabeth with you?”

“No. I was supposed to pick her up, but then she called and said her parents were being jerks and wouldn’t let her hang out.”

“But you said Annabeth was with you and Sydney?”