“All right. You have a right to know this, I think. Maria is unusual among the victims in that she was struck by three bullets. Her body was found in the water near the boat dock on the island. The first of those bullet holes matches the hole in the shoulder of her dress. From the first bullet fired, before she escaped from the main house and ran. We believe she removed the dress before she entered the water. As you know, we could find no trace of anything that could be said with certainty to be Licia’s DNA.”

I looked across at Elsa. A thought began to grow in me. The most exciting, dangerous thought, only Elsa had not seen it yet.

I said, “You found this other girl’s DNA?”

“I cannot speak to you about procedure that does not relate to your case. But I may tell you that Maria is our best fit and you may read what you will between the lines . . .” He let his voice trail off, watching us to make sure we understood.

“This is wrong,” Elsa was saying. “You’re giving up on Licia.”

“Love, I don’t think that’s what he’s saying.” Hope was coursing through me. “Elsa, if Licia wasn’t on the island—”

“We can’t, Cal,” she said. “We can’t let ourselves believe that she’s alive. Because every time, that hope turns to nothing.”

“But if she really wasn’t there . . .”

We locked eyes. I could see that the thought terrified her.

I said, “Breathe, love.”

“We had an independent witness confirm Maria’s identity,” Tvist was saying.

Elsa’s eyes were locked onto mine. “Who?”

Tvist exhaled heavily. “Understand that I’m obliged to protect that witness’s identity.”

Elsa turned. She was staring very intently at Tvist.

“Why?” she said. “Why are you obliged?”

“Please understand what I’m saying to you.”

“Oh. You mean it’s a child,” said Elsa quietly. She gave a little half laugh. She turned from Tvist to me. “He means Arno. That Arno confirmed her identity.”

“Did he?” I turned to Tvist.

That warm, sympathetic smile. “You must respect my procedures, but again you may read between the lines.”

Elsa couldn’t quite let it go. “How would a person who doesn’t speak confirm or deny anything?”

“By pointing and by nodding,” said Tvist very simply. “Cal, Elsa, I know this doesn’t bring your daughter back,” he said. “But it’s something to hold on to, no?”

Elsa, though, was in shock.

We sat on a bench on the dirty path that led down from the police station. The air was thick with barbecue smoke.

“Jesus fuck, Cal.”

“But this could be good, love. This could be really good.”

“We’ve spent a year believing she was a hero. When all the time it was Maria who saved Arno.”