Even though her best friend didn’t say dead, Holly knew that was what she was thinking. ‘Neither can I.’ She did the only thing she could think to do – she reached over, squeezing when Sophie’s hand gripped her own. She was glad they had each other.

‘I hate him, Holly. And I can’t help but think that Beau knows something.’

Holly twisted in her seat so she was facing Sophie. Her friend’s face was red and splotchy – something she’d learned over the years meant Sophie had surpassed upset and sailed into full-on anger. ‘If Beau is somehow involved, my mom will find out, and he’ll pay the price. You know my mom’s the best at her job.’

‘I know.’ Sophie leaned forward and opened the glovebox where Holly kept the tissues. She pulled one from the box and blew her nose. ‘What if he did do something to her? God, Holly, I know I complained about all her theatrics, but I’d give anything right now if she would just waltz up and regale us with dramatic tales of her adventure of the last few days. Anything.’ Her voice cracked. ‘If anything has happened to her, it’ll be my fault…’

‘Stop. First, we don’t know yet if anything bad has happened to her.’ She ignored the voice shouting in her head that they did know; what they didn’t know was what exactly that bad thing was. ‘Second, no matter what, none of this is your fault. We both could’ve – and probably should’ve – been more understanding and compassionate of everything she was going through.’

‘Remind me why I was always such a bitch to her? I mean, really, what would it have cost me to actually be patient once in a while?’ She brought her fingernails up to her teeth, chewing at the jagged edges, the cuticles red from where she’d already gnawed them. She turned her neck to stare out the passenger window. ‘I’m still pissed at Leigh Ann for yesterday, but I kind of wish she was here.’ Grudgingly, she added, ‘She’s been a far better friend to Jersey than I’ve been a cousin.’

‘Damn it! Damn it! Damn. It!’

Both Holly and Sophie jumped, startled by the loud cursing coming from behind Holly’s car. A glance in her rearview mirror reflected the same guy who’d been heading down the steps of the precinct when they’d arrived. Now, he paced back and forth in front of a car, his face almost as red as Sophie’s had been a moment earlier.

‘Damn it!’ The guy kicked at one of his tires.

‘Should we ask if he’s okay?’ Sophie flipped down the vanity mirror on the sun visor so she, too, could watch the guy behind them. ‘Why am I whispering? It’s not like he can hear us.’

Holly hesitated. ‘We don’t really know him.’ Even as she said it, she and Sophie found themselves opening their doors and climbing out. Together they approached him. ‘I sure hope that’s your car you’re taking your anger out on.’