Jack shifted his drink to one side. “I won’t bore you with all the details, but this one’s a dead end. The consensus among the team is that the kid has skipped town. I was supposed to be driving down there tonight to formally notify the family that state police are shutting up shop, but . . .” Jack paused and cleared his throat. “I think you should be the one to go instead.”

“Me?” Kevin looked down at the file again and reread the notes, just to make sure he wasn’t missing something. “Jack, this is a copy-boy errand. You actually want me to get in the car and drive three hours to a town in the middle of nowhere, just to pass that message on in person?”

“Yes, I do.”

“May I ask why?”

“Because I think it might be a good idea if you got out of the city.”

Kevin leaned back in his chair and gave his brother a long, dubious glare. “You must be kidding. What is sending me away going to achieve? I can’t leave Amy on her own, not now.”

“Of course not. I’m not suggesting you do.”

“Then what are you suggesting?”

“That you take her with you.”

Kevin would have laughed had his brother not sounded so serious. “You’re not kidding, are you?”

“No, I’m not. And I think you should take your time too. Take a couple of days.”

Kevin flipped the folder shut and slid it back across the table. “Sorry, I know you mean well, but the last thing Amy will want to do is pack a bag and go on a holiday.”

“It’s not a holiday. It’s work.” Jack slid the folder right back. “Tell her you’ve got to go away to close down an investigation—which is the truth—and tell her that you want her to go with you.”

“And this is somehow going to bring us closer together? That’s your great plan?”

“I never said it was great, but it’s the best I can come up with.”

“Jack, I’m not sure.”

“Come on, think about it. Some time away from the house and a bit of ocean air might be just what you both need.”

Kevin rested his elbow on the table and sat quietly for a moment, mulling the idea over. He did have to admit, begrudgingly, that his brother might have a point. Perhaps a change of scenery would do him and his daughter a world of good. After all, what did he have to lose? Persuading Amy wasn’t going to be easy, though, and there was a high chance it could all backfire the moment they stepped out the door, but Jack was right—it could be worth a shot.

“All right, Jack. But if this whole thing goes south, I’m blaming you.”

Jack winked as he threw back the rest of his drink. “Happy to take responsibility.”