Rossi pulled a small notebook and pen from his pocket and wrote it down. “You’re not going back to Philadelphia?”

“Nope. Not just yet.”

Rossi scowled. “The residents of Huntsville have been through hell. They don’t need all this dredged up again.”

Danny didn’t respond. He and Rossi stared at one another for a few seconds.

The door opened. A uniformed officer leaned into the garage. “Excuse me, Detective Rossi. The captain needs to see you.”

Rossi held out a hand. “I’m sorry I couldn’t help you, Mr. Sullivan. Remember what I said.”

“Thanks for trying.” Not. Reluctantly, Danny returned the handshake. He took his time following Rossi back through the station and into the reception area. A new energy buzzed through the air. People were scurrying around and looking worried. On the way through the building, Danny caught snatches of conversation from three cops huddled around a desk.

“Man, I hate it when people just disappear.”

“I’m telling you. Kid fell in the river. Dad went in after him. They both probably drowned. They’ll find the bodies downstream.”

“Man, that’s horrible. But you’re probably right. It’s still weird, though. All their stuff was at least fifty feet from the water.”

They clammed up when Danny passed them. Outside, the air didn’t feel as fresh as it had earlier.

The lack of closure was giving his sister nightmares. She should be able to have a normal life. Danny couldn’t think of a better wedding present for Jayne and Reed than Nathan’s head on a silver platter, metaphorically speaking. Or not.

It’s not like Danny had anything else to do. During his stint in the army, his three older siblings had managed Sullivan’s Tavern just fine without him. He wasn’t really needed at home. Danny started the engine. Buildings and other signs of civilization gave way to pristine forest as he drove back to the interstate. An 18-wheeler in front of his car belched out a dingy gray cloud of exhaust. Danny’s imagination was pulled back to the cops’ conversation. I hate it when people just disappear.

Danny couldn’t agree more. Maine wasn’t the perfect place it appeared to be. Just like everywhere else, evil lurked, and Danny was determined to find it.

But he’d start with finding Nathan’s girlfriend.

Steam rose from the sink. Mandy turned her face away and adjusted the water temperature. Shoving the greasy frying pan under the spray, she added a squirt of dish soap. She glanced at the counter bar, where her mother and brother were finishing breakfast.

“This is really good, Mandy,” Bill mumbled around a mouthful of French toast.