Alyssa’s eye flickered to the digital clock on the wall behind Nick. 9:02. Her heart rate took off at a sprint, yet, somehow, she still managed to keep her voice level. ‘Why didn’t you call me immediately? Why did you waste time driving over here? Did this guy give a name?’ She lobbed the questions in quick succession.

‘I was afraid you’d be busy, so I thought it might be easier to interrupt if I came here in person. And no, the guy wouldn’t tell me his name. All he said was that one of his roommates found the phone – and no, he didn’t say where, claimed he didn’t even know when I asked – anyway, the friend found it, decided to keep it, and when it rang, this guy decided to answer in case it was Rachel – he said “the owner.” When I told him “the owner” had disappeared from a frat party, the guy freaked out, said he didn’t know anything about that, and then hung up.’ Nick’s nostrils flared, and he spoke through clenched teeth. ‘I called right back, but it went straight to voicemail again, so he must’ve powered it off.’

No longer able to stand still, Nick paced in the only available space in the tiny office – in front of Alyssa’s and Cord’s desks. Four steps to one wall, four steps back. Repeat. ‘What if this person has Rachel? What if my calling makes him do something to her? What if—?’

Alyssa planted herself in his path and pointed to a chair. ‘Sit. I’m going to get someone to see what we can do to find out what tower that call bounced off. Don’t go anywhere, do you hear me?’ As soon as she was certain he wasn’t going to jump up and follow her, she went in search of Hal, wishing in vain that Cord hadn’t needed to take the morning off so he could attend a doctor’s appointment with Sara.

She found Hal in the breakroom grabbing a piece of birthday cake someone had left behind a day or two ago. She didn’t bother with a greeting. ‘Someone answered Rachel Otis’s phone this morning. Can you get ahold of Judge Rosario and obtain a ping warrant. I need to know immediately what tower was used when that call was answered. Tell her it’s not only relevant to an ongoing criminal investigation, but the lives of three girls may be on the line.’

Hal abandoned the uneaten cake and whirled his chair around, rolling past her. ‘Where can I find you after she gives the go-ahead?’

‘I’ll be in my office or in the conference room. Find me the second you get the approval.’

‘Consider it done.’

A minute later, she was back with Nick. ‘Okay, we’re obtaining what is called a ping warrant right now so we can locate that tower.’

She pulled up short at the sight of Nick. Both hands cupped his head, and his shoulders were shaking violently. When he heard her enter, he jerked up, and using his knuckles, he brushed away the evidence of his tears.