A.L. personally thought people ought to wait a good long time before popping out babies. He and his ex had barely known each other’s favorite breakfast cereal when Traci was born. “Okay. Thank you for coming back today. We’re committed to pursuing every possible lead. In that regard, we’re going to want to search both your car and your house.”

“Really?” she asked. Now he clearly heard the irritation. But she quickly recovered and added, in a more neutral tone, “I’ll do what needs to be done. I want you to find Emma.”

“We will,” A.L. said. His phone buzzed and he glanced at the incoming text. It was Tess. Saw the Amber Alert. Are you working on this?

Yes, he texted back.

No one better.

He appreciated the confidence. Didn’t generally burn up too many brain cells worrying about whether he was the best. But right now he hoped like hell that he was good enough. Emma Whitman needed somebody in her corner.

Rena and Leah Whitman stood in the hallway, waiting for Elaine Broadstreet to enter. She came in the door so fast that it didn’t close behind her. The wind caught it and Rena saw the officer positioned outside the door reach over to shut it. Her stomach flipped. Somewhere out there in the wind was a five-year-old.

Mrs. Broadstreet was somewhere between sixty and sixty-five. Her hair was a pretty silver and cut short. She wore minimal makeup and no jewelry. Her blue pantsuit might have come from any department store but it fit her still-trim figure well enough.

Elaine Broadstreet’s eyes immediately went to her daughter. “Have you found her?”

Leah shook her head.

“Oh, God.” Elaine extended her arms, as if she meant to hug her daughter. But when Leah didn’t step forward into the embrace, Elaine awkwardly pulled her arms back and pressed her fingers to her lips.

“This is Detective Morgan,” Leah said.

Elaine lowered her hands, turned toward Rena. “What are you doing to find my granddaughter?”

“We’re going to do everything we can,” Rena said. “And you can help us by making sure that we’ve got the very best understanding of what’s happened thus far today. Can we step in here for a few questions?” she asked, motioning toward the empty kitchen area.

Mrs. Broadstreet didn’t answer but she and Leah followed Rena into the small room. There were no chairs so they stood.

“Can you walk us through your early morning, Mrs. Broadstreet?”

“What?” Her tone was now exasperated. “What does that have to do with anything?”

“Sometimes even small details are very helpful,” Rena said.

“Well, I got up about 6:00. I showered, got dressed, and drove to my daughter’s house to pick up Emma. There, I never even got out of the car, Troy had her out of the house so fast.”

“What time was that?” Rena asked.