But based on Nick’s and Angela’s reactions, she’d gather her team and proceed by treating this as a mysterious disappearance. There was no evidence of foul play, but that didn’t mean none existed. ‘Why don’t you call Hal and have him contact Joe and Tony? Maybe they can get started on checking security cameras in the area while we check out some of the names on that list.’ With luck, Officers Joe Roe and Tony White, two more members on their team, would find something on the cameras that might point them in the right direction.

Before Cord could answer, Holly’s ringtone blared through the car. Alyssa tapped the Bluetooth screen. ‘Hi, sweetie. I’m driving, so you’re on speaker.’ She was greeted by dead air, and for a second, her heart threatened to bolt from her chest. Finally, Holly said, ‘Hi, Cord.’

‘Hey.’

Alyssa heard her daughter’s lips flutter as she drew in a deep breath and released it. ‘Is this a bad time, Mom? I could call back if it is.’

Hearing the worry in her daughter’s voice, Alyssa’s shoulders tensed, her mind immediately conjuring up Isaac’s face; specifically, the image she had of him when he’d escaped his kidnapper six weeks ago. ‘Nope, not a bad time. Like I said, I’m driving, so go ahead. As long as you don’t mind Cord hearing whatever it is you have to say.’ She forced a cheery tone into her voice, though the nerves in her stomach were doing a great impersonation of an unraveling ball of yarn.

‘Okay, so I could be wrong, but I think Jersey’s missing. Her mom called Sophie a little bit ago to ask if she’d seen her because Jersey didn’t come home last night.’

‘Why do you think she’s missing?’ From the corner of her eye, she noticed Cord remove his notebook, pen poised to jot down the information. Two possible missing girls? Once again, Alyssa couldn’t help but be reminded of Evan Bishop’s desire for torturing young women.

‘Remember how I told you last night that Jersey was really upset about her parents divorcing and her grandma dying?’

‘I remember.’ Though Jersey and Holly were friends, Alyssa mainly knew her as Sophie’s cousin. And rarely did Sophie seem pleased when the other girl tagged along. When Alyssa had asked about it, all her daughter had said was, ‘Jersey can be a bit much.’

But when Leigh Ann started hanging out with the girls a few years ago, the tension between the two cousins seemed to wane a little. When Alyssa had pointed it out, Holly had laughed, attributing it to Leigh Ann’s magical touch.

‘Well, I left out the part about her and her boyfriend fighting before we left for dinner.’ There was a lengthy pause, and when Holly spoke again, it was through gritted teeth. ‘I didn’t actually hear what they were fighting about, but I saw him shove her, then he called her pathetic and worthless before he stormed off. At dinner Leigh Ann asked if she wanted to talk about it, and Jersey admitted Beau was trying…’ – she cleared her throat before continuing – ‘to pressure her into a threesome, but with him as an observer, and her with two other guys.’ The choked tone of Holly’s voice conveyed her embarrassment.