“Online,” Bruckner said. “I’m a long-distance trucker. We used to text a lot and it helped pass the time. Eventually we met up. She was coming off a bad relationship with her crazy ex. I think she was happy to keep me at a distance for a while.”

“What was she like?” Decker asked.

“Pauline?” A pause. “She was hot. But she smoked a lot of weed and was a meth head. Now, I’m not passing judgment. As a trucker, I’ve been known to take some pills. But her behavior went wacky. I didn’t want to be married to that.”

“How long were you married?”

“Seven years, although we were together longer than that. I gave it my best shot, but you can’t control everything. Why are you calling me? There must have been someone more recent in her life.”

“There was,” Decker said. “She’s missing as well.”

“She?” Muttering over the line. “Pauline was with a woman?”

“That seems to be the case.”

“Was it a friend thing or something more?”

“We don’t know.”

“A woman. That flips me out. Not that I care, but it’s still weird, you know.”

“People change,” McAdams said.

“Maybe but … anyway … are we done?”

“Just to repeat,” Decker said, “you haven’t seen her in four years?”

“That would be the truth.” A pause. “Pauline and a woman. Jeez.”

“Thank you for your time, sir.”

“Yeah, fine,” Bruckner said. “I wish I would have known sooner. The marriage wouldn’t have lasted, but I wouldn’t have minded experimenting with another woman. It might have made us both a little happier.”

WITH PHONE IN hand and a new Nevada area code, I dialed the New York number. It rang twice, then it connected.

“Dad?”

“No, it’s Mom, actually.”

“Mom!” A pause. “How are you?”

“Much better, thanks.” My eyes felt wet. “Your father got me a new phone. Now I can bug you all the time.”

“Any time. I’m so happy to hear you sounding well. How’s Juleen?”

“Learning about four languages. Chris’s idea, not mine.”

“Yeah, it sounds like Chris. How is he treating you?”

“Very well.”

A pause. “You can tell me if he isn’t.”

“No, he is.” I bit my lip. “He’s being … great.”

“Hmm, well, I’ll take your word for it. You’re healing okay?”

“Yes. The dentist unwired my jaw. I’ve still got my back teeth wired together, but I can eat things other than shakes. How are you, honey?”

“I’m even better now that I know you’re on the mend.”

“I am. We’re all doing—”

“Can you hold a second?” Muttering. “Sorry. I’m glad you’re fine, Mom. It’s really good to hear your voice. Your number was blocked. That’s why I thought it was Dad.”

“I’ll give it to you right now.”