“Reasonably optimistic. Plan B involves calling the sheriff, and that’d scare her too much.”

He forced himself to consider what he’d so far been reluctant to face. “What if she walked out to the highway and hitched a ride?”

“Riley isn’t stupid. She has a highly developed fear of strangers from all the movies she shouldn’t have seen. Also, April and I don’t think she’s completely given up on you.”

He tried to mask his guilt by walking over to the window. It was too dark for an eleven-year-old girl to be out there alone.

“Would you make another sweep of the yard? There’s a flashlight in the kitchen. She might come out if she sees you.” Blue regarded the room with dissatisfaction. “I wish there was at least a rug in here. I’m sure he’s not used to anything this spartan.”

“He?” Dean’s head snapped up. “Forget it. Jack is not sleeping here.” He stalked into the hall.

Blue came after him. “What’s the alternative? It’s getting late, and his entourage has driven off. There aren’t any hotels in Garrison, and he’s not going anywhere until Riley’s been found.”

“Don’t bet on it.” Dean wanted all this to go away. If only he’d driven off first thing this morning.

Blue’s cell rang. She snatched it from her jeans pocket. He waited. “You found her?” she said. “Where was she?” He took a deep breath and leaned against the doorframe.

“But we looked there.” She wandered back into the bedroom and sat on the side of the bed. “Yes. All right. Yes, I’ll do that.” She flipped the phone shut and looked up at him. “The eagle-ette has landed. April found her asleep in the back of her closet. We looked there, so she must have waited till we left to go inside.”

The front door opened downstairs, and heavy, measured footsteps sounded in the foyer. Blue’s head shot up. She jumped to her feet and spoke in a rush. “April said to tell Riley’s father that she’ll keep Riley at the cottage for tonight, and he can stay here in the house, and he should wait until morning to talk to her.”

“You tell him.”

“I don’t think…The thing is—”

More footsteps from below. “Anyone here?” Jack called out.

“I can’t,” she hissed.

“Why not?”

“I just…can’t.”

Jack’s voice carried up the steps. “April?”

“Crap.” Blue’s hands flew to her cheeks, and she rushed out, but instead of going downstairs, she dashed into the master bedroom. Only seconds later—too short a time for her to have undressed—the shower went on. That’s when he realized the fearless Beav had gone into hiding. And not over him.