He leaned back in his chair and rubbed a hand over his face. “Let’s call it a night,” he said. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” It didn’t matter that it was Sunday. Nobody was taking any days off now.

A.L. drove home and parked in the lot outside his apartment. By habit, he scanned the area first, then opened his door. It was a clear night and the temperature was a comfortable fifty-six. He glanced at his phone, to check one final search update for the night.

Volunteers led by the FBI had searched the Harborview and Olive Grove subdivisions tonight. Both were on the eastern outskirts of Baywood. Every day they widened their circle, ticking off more and more of Baywood. Every day it became less and less likely that a five-year-old could have covered the distance without anybody seeing her. They’d ended the evening with thirty-two volunteers.

He opened the door of his apartment building and walked down the hall. Stopped when he was four feet from his door. There was a square box, maybe twelve inches wide, on the floor. There was an envelope taped to the top. He took one more step.

Smiled. It was Tess’s writing.

He pulled off the envelope and opened it. Inside was a card, with a silly-looking photo of a cat hanging from some draperies, looking really happy. No words. But inside, Tess had written a note.

Able: Thank you for the flowers, they are beautiful. You continue to surprise me. I’m sorry for barging in to your work. I’ll try not to make a habit of it. I’m especially sorry that I insinuated that my daughter was more important to me than Traci is to you. That was ridiculous and I’m glad you called me out on it. I know you’re working hard. Perhaps this will come in handy as a late night snack. Tess.

He opened the box. Cherry pie. His favorite. Maybe he’d mentioned that a time or two to her when they’d gone to the county fair in August.

He unlocked his door, then carefully picked up the box. He set it down on the counter, grabbed a plate from the cupboard and a knife and fork from the drawer. Then he cut himself a big slab and sat down in his favorite recliner to enjoy a piece.

He did all this before he ever turned on a light.

There was something very nice about eating a surprise piece of cherry pie in the dark. He picked up his cell. It was now almost midnight. Too late to call or text.

He finished his piece and closed his eyes. Leaned back in his chair.

Went to sleep thinking about Tess.

Gabe wasn’t home when Rena got there. She washed her face and brushed her teeth and put on a T-shirt to sleep in. Then she crawled into bed.