The police were also questioning her other friends and family to find out if anybody had seen her since she left the restaurant. But the obvious suspect was Warren the friendly web series producer. Their server remembered Gertie and the guy she was with—glasses, great big beard, bandage on his neck—but hadn't noticed anything unusual about their interaction. She believed they left the restaurant at the same time but hadn't been paying that much attention. There were no security cameras in the parking lot.

Charlene hadn't asked Warren any questions about Gertie. They didn't want to tip him off that they suspected anything was wrong. There'd been some debate over whether to e-mail him or not, but they'd decided that the possibility of him showing up for a meeting was worth the risk of making him suspicious.

Bradley Lugens walked over to look at her laptop screen. Charlene wished she was in a room full of FBI agents working furiously to track down every lead, but it was just her and Detective Lugens, in a conference room at the police station.

"Should I push for something sooner?" Charlene asked.

"No," said Lugens. "You were pretty adamant that you weren't interested. If you go too far in the other direction, he'll know something's up. Just say yes. Let him suggest the time and the meeting spot."

Breakfast sounds great, she typed. Give me a time/place and I'll be there! Thanks!

After Lugens approved her message, she sent it off.

"You have to be at work at 10:45, you said?" Lugens asked.

"Yes. My boss will give me the day off if I need it."

"No, stick to your regular schedule as much as possible. Don't leave the restaurant. Do they make you carry trash outside?"

Charlene shook her head. "The dishwashers take stuff to the Dumpster."

"Okay, good. Don't go out for smoke breaks or anything like that."

"I don't smoke."

"Perfect. No fresh air or sunshine for you today. I'll drop you off and pick you up. We'll evaluate where things are tonight, but with your permission you may have a cop crashing on your sofa tonight."

"That would be wonderful. Thank you."

"I wish we could do more," said Lugens. "We don't have the resources to give you full-time protection, but we'll keep you safe, I promise."

* * *

Lugens drove her to work in an unmarked car, reminded her again not to leave the restaurant for any reason, and told her to give him a call when she was done with her shift.

During the drive, she'd made the mistake of asking him if he thought Gertie was still alive. He asked if she wanted him to be completely honest. She'd hesitated, thinking it might be nice to live in a fantasy world for a bit longer, then said yes.