The Cambridge and Otis families could take some pointers.

Mrs. Phillipson pressed the heels of her hands into her red, swollen eyes.

Alyssa moved so she could sit across from Katelyn’s parents. ‘Mrs. Phillipson…’

‘Please, call me Mary,’ she said, looking up again, her voice thick.

Maybe it was because Katelyn Phillipson was so close in age to Isaac, or perhaps because her own experience so closely mirrored Mary’s, but Alyssa found it increasingly difficult not to reach over and clasp the woman’s hands between her own and promise her everything would be okay.

Cord took a place beside Alyssa and leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. ‘Mary, Jason, we know this isn’t easy, but why don’t you start from the beginning? We need to try to retrace your daughter’s steps so we can find her and bring her back home to you.’

Mr. Phillipson dropped his head forward in wordless assent and settled himself next to his wife, pulling her in so she was nestled next to his side, offering what little comfort and security he could.

Alyssa’s eyes strayed to an ornate grandfather clock nestled into the corner of the room. Seven-fifteen. Four hours had passed since school let out. ‘Let’s start with what Katelyn was wearing today. Do either of you remember?’

Mary nodded. ‘Kate was wearing a pair of faded denim jeans, salmon-colored flats, and an Imagine Dragons t-shirt her best friend gave her as an early birthday gift. Her birthday’s in just a few weeks,’ she choked out. ‘We knew she was going to Stephanie’s house right after school let out, but she was supposed to be home by four-fifteen because she was going to help me bake cupcakes for my book club meeting tomorrow evening.’

Alyssa interrupted. ‘Stephanie is the friend you mentioned?’

‘Yes. Those two practically became best friends in utero. When Katelyn still wasn’t home by four-thirty – she’s never once been late without letting one of us know – and she didn’t answer her phone, I called Steph. She said Kate left her house at quarter to four. I wanted to call the police straight away, but Jason told me not to overreact.’

At this, Mr. Phillipson dropped his arm from around his wife’s shoulder and hung his head, his body shaking with silent sobs.

Mrs. Phillipson reached over and gripped his hand tightly in her own, tugging until he brought his gaze back up to hers. ‘I’m not blaming you. You shouldn’t be blaming yourself, either.’ She turned back to Alyssa and Cord. ‘A few weeks ago, Katelyn and I had a bit of an argument when I refused to allow her to attend a friend’s party – this friend’s parents are notorious for ignoring the goings-on of the kids. She accused me of overreacting and said that I should trust her to do the right thing.

‘So, when I wanted to call the police, Jason told me I should first ask Steph to help me contact the rest of Katelyn’s friends while he drove around and checked the parks and neighborhoods. Just in case. After all, even though she’s never done anything like this before, she is still a teenager who will be going into high school, and boundaries are bound to be pushed… Jason was right. I didn’t want to overreact and set the tone for the future. Especially after our little spat. We’ve always assured Katelyn that no matter what she’s done, she should always know she can come to us. Anyway, that’s why we waited two hours after she was supposed to be home before contacting the police.’ The pooling moisture in her eyes spilled over, streaking the blush on her cheeks.