“Hurry up,” said Merker.

“Just give me a second,” I said. Not taking my eyes off the pages, I asked him, “What about Katie’s folks? The Bennets? Do they know you have her? They must be worried sick about her. You should at least call them. Let me call them. Let me tell them that she’s okay.”

When Merker said nothing, I looked at him. He grinned. “Be kind of hard to reach them now,” he said.

A chill ran through me. “What are you saying?” I asked quietly.

“I’m just saying, they ain’t taking calls anymore.”

“They’re dead? Are you saying they’re dead?”

Merker’s grin disappeared and he leaned in to me, putting his mouth close to my ear. “The kid’ll be joining them, and you too, if you don’t find this fucking lawyer and get in to see her.”

I turned my eyes back to the phone book, and found my hand shaking as I turned the pages. I needed to pull myself together. I was unable to focus. I blinked a couple of times, gave my head a shake.

I could find no listing for Niles Wagland.

“I’m going to have to call information for Oakwood,” I said. “Her lawyer may be out there. It only makes sense she’d pick one in her own town.”

“Just don’t do anything funny,” he said.

I picked up the phone, dialed, got a number for a Wagland law office in Oakwood. Once I had the number, I punched it in, and a woman answered on the fourth ring.

“I need to speak to Mr. Wagland,” I said.

“I’m sorry, but Mr. Wagland is in a meeting. Who’s calling?”

“My name is Zack Walker. I’m a friend of Trixie Snelling. Make that Miranda Chicoine.”

“If you’d like to leave your number, I’m sure he’ll get back to you when—”

My voice went up a notch. “This is very important. I must speak to Mr. Wagland right now.”

“I’m sure it is, Mr. Walker, but I’m sure you can understand—”

“No! Right now, you have to understand that I must speak to Mr. Wagland immediately. This is a life-or-death matter concerning his client Ms. Chicoine.”

“I see.” She paused. “Just a moment please.”

I was put on hold. “That was good,” said Merker, who’d been holding his head close enough to the receiver to listen. “You were very good.” I did not acknowledge the compliment.

A click. Then a voice. “Niles Wagland.”

“Mr. Wagland, this is Zack Walker.”

“Yes, Mr. Walker. I’m in the middle of a meeting here, but my secretary indicated your call was very urgent.”

“I need to see Trixie. Miranda.”