“If that’s the case, it would mean Colin doesn’t want to be found.” Ben again, his voice soft but firm. “Colin’s an adult. We can’t search the Kappa Phi Omicron house without permission or a warrant.” I grimace, but Ben doesn’t look at me—and if he knew about my suspension, I wouldn’t be here. “There’s no indication of foul play. Or anything to suggest he’s in immediate danger.”

Mr. Haines’s jaw tightens. “He hasn’t accessed his social media accounts or credit card.”

“Which again indicates that Colin may not want to be found,” Ben tells him. He takes a short breath, glances between Mr. and Mrs. Haines. “I know this is hard. It may be that Colin just needs some time to himself. It may be that he wants to start again someplace new.” He pauses.

“Detective Kaplan and I will talk to the neighbors to determine the last time Colin was here. We’ll see if they noticed any suspicious activity. In the meantime, I suggest you go home. Use your own social media accounts to gather information. Continue to contact hospitals and homeless shelters. Be available if he returns. And please get in touch with my office if he contacts you.”

Florence slumps against me as I walk her to the door. I feel a strange protective urge to hug her. Outside, her husband helps her the rest of the way to the car, his jaw clenched and his eyes fixed on some distant point on the horizon.

The neighbors are not a garrulous bunch, but a few remember Colin. One saw him the night of the eleventh, moving up our last date of sight through the weekend. But none report seeing him since.

Ben doesn’t say it, but the case is closed.

There was no evidence of violence. No indication that Colin was forced to leave the house against his will. And although he left his books, we didn’t find his wallet or cell phone. Everything points to him skipping town. It’s a shitty thing to do—to disappear, start somewhere new, and leave your friends and family wondering what happened. But this isn’t a job for the police. If the parents really want to know what happened, they can hire a private investigator.

As we pull away, my skin prickles. It’s that same unsettled feeling as when we arrived, and I turn for a second glance, trying to place what it is.