Having obtained access to Vermont’s database on Moore, McDade was studying tips and case notes when Rod Noble appeared before her and dropped his voice.

“Just learned that Wyatt, the reporter from New York, was in Spiritsburg, making inquiries at the house where we got the bird cam video.”

McDade’s stomach tensed.

“Do you know what he knows, Rod?”

Noble shook his head.

“Jill, if he has any inkling as to what we’re doing and reported it…”

“Yeah, it would tip off our subject.” McDade took a breath, and let it out.

Noble studied her for a moment, then said, “You, more than anyone else, know we’re close, closer than you’ve ever been.”

“I realize that. Look, I’ve dealt with Wyatt before. I’ll deal with him.”

Noble left. Before she resumed making notes, McDade searched for Ray Wyatt’s name online, relieved to see he hadn’t yet filed a story. Or so it appeared. She stopped, collected her thoughts along with her phone, found an unlocked, empty office on the floor, and closed the door.

She dialed Wyatt’s number.

As it rang, the situation whirled in the back of her mind.

We can’t blow this. Not now. Ray wouldn’t go with something on the Hydra if he had it. Not without checking with me.

Wyatt’s line rang without being answered.

She sent him a text.

But he doesn’t know I’m here. And if I tell him I’m here, he’ll connect the dots. He’s smart, as smart as any detective I’ve known. Why isn’t he answering? I’ll try again later. I’m walking on a tightrope here.

McDade trusted Wyatt, yet she couldn’t put her fears to rest until she talked to him.

Returning to her desk and her work, she leaned forward on her elbows, kneading her temples, and replayed the video taken of the camper truck leaving the motel at the time of Moore’s disappearance.

The truck was their best lead, but the image, taken at night, was grainy and offered few details.

Finding the suspect vehicle would be a challenge.

McDade thought a good starting point would be to look at camper trucks that were connected to the motel. Upon doing a little digging, she found that Noble and his team had already followed that line of investigation, checking vehicles and credit cards of guests of the Green Rolling Hills Inn going back a full year. McDade continued looking through reports until she came to those for Ewing Gibson Spiker and Gina Rose Gangel.

Known as Cass and Gibby.