“People were worried about Bertram.” Silence. “We spent a lot of police hours looking for him. And for Kathrine as well.” When she didn’t answer, Decker said, “I suppose past is past. Are they okay?”

“They are happy.” She answered in a clipped voice with a slight German accent.

Decker said, “And you’ve been in contact with Kathrine Taylor’s parents?”

“Kathrine called them to say that she is happy. Everyone is accepting of the situation, including Kathrine’s parents.”

“I’d still like to talk to Bertram and Kathrine. Can you arrange that?”

“I will talk to Bertram, but no promises.” She gave Decker a harsh look. “They were free to come and go as they pleased. They wanted to go overseas. I was their chaperone.”

“I understand they were emancipated adults. But they had some issues. It might have been helpful if you had told their caretakers. Like I said, we spent a lot of time trying to find them.”

“Their wishes, not mine.”

It was clear that she wasn’t going to take responsibility for their wasted time. Decker moved on to the more pressing case. “Why are you here?”

“I heard you talked to Brock Baer.”

“We did,” Decker said.

“How did you hear about that?” McAdams said.

“Brock called me. He’s in jail and he wanted my help.”

“When was this?”

“Two days ago.”

“Did you help him?” Decker said.

“No. Why should I? He threatened me.”

“That’s not nice,” Decker said.

“Not nice at all. I don’t like threats.”

“How did he threaten you?” McAdams asked.

“I’m sure he told you a ridiculous story. That’s why I’m here. To clear up the facts.”

“We’d love to hear what you have to say.”

“What did he tell you?”

“Elsie, why don’t you tell us what happened?” Decker said. “Can I call you Elsie?”

“I don’t care.”

“I’m thinking that you’re here to tell us your side of the story,” Decker said.

“It’s not my side. It’s the only side. Because it’s the truth.” Decker waited. She shook her head. “Pauline could be very stubborn. I told her not to meet him. I always knew that she was not as committed to our relationship as I was. But to go back to him?” She shrugged. “That’s lunacy.”

“When was this, Elsie?”

“When?”

“Do you remember the date?”

“No. I have to look it up in my calendar.”

“How about the day?”

“Thursday or Friday. Baer called up Pauline. That’s what Pauline said. It might be that she called him. Pauline was not trustworthy.”

“Whoever called who, they got together,” Decker said.