“I just want to survive it,” Emma confesses. That seems bleak. “Look, we don’t have any answers or solutions. Maybe the information we’re gathering will help find some—but right now we’ve got to dig out more information from Kristin Gutmunsson’s head. So let’s drive.”

The only upside to continuing with the interview charade is that both Cooper and the Gutmunssons’ lawyer have agreed to allow them to visit Kristin Gutmunsson, and she lives just south of Richmond. They’re practically passing right by on the drive home.

The trip is quiet. They’re only ten minutes from their destination when Bell suggests a rest stop—he looks like he needs it. While he picks up some lunch for them both, Emma heads to a nearby phone booth.

“Please tell me they’re not making you wear those ridiculous G-man suits,” Robbie says on the phone.

Emma laughs, instantly calm at the sound of her big sister’s voice. “No to the suits. Polyester is really not my thing.”

“But are they treating you right? They’re not stressing you out? I don’t trust the FBI.”

“They’re treating me good.” Emma has to force some of the cheer. She looks out the side of the booth: Clouds above make the air look gray. “You don’t have to worry. Tell Mom and Dad I’m fine—”

“Tell Dad yourself,” Robbie says.

There’s a fumbling exchange on the line, then her father’s voice in her ear. “Are you okay there, Emma Anne?”

He sounds old, Emma thinks. She blinks hard before replying. “Dad, I love you and yes, I’m doing fine. Tell Mama I’m hugging her from far away—it’s okay, I know she’s at work, but just give her my love.”

“Will do. You eating right? Looking after yourself? Don’t let them push you around, you hear?”

When the phone call is done, Emma walks back to the Dodge, where Bell is waiting with a paper sack of burgers.

“Thanks.” Emma takes the bag of burgers and the cardboard drinks holder while Bell opens the tray of the pickup. “I just realized I hadn’t called my folks for days.”

He lays down a rug, reclaims the drinks. “They get nervous if you don’t call?”

“Sometimes still, yeah. But I mainly wanted to hear their voices.” Emma hoists herself up. “Nowadays, I get the urge to call, I call.”

“You don’t know what’s gonna happen one day to the next, right?”

“That’s it. I remember…” Emma hesitates, continues. “When Huxton had me, I remember thinking I wished I could hear them. Talk to them. Anyway, I don’t leave things the way I used to.”

“I get that.”

They tuck into the food, suck pop through straws. The burgers aren’t bad, but there’s a lot of ketchup. The calm from her phone conversation hasn’t yet dissipated and it makes Emma grin.

“My sister, Robbie, said I should wear a suit like you, to annoy Cooper.”

Bell is surprised into a laugh. “Now that I’d like to see.” He licks ketchup off his lip. “So… are we still mad at Cooper?”