Danielle had seen a lot of grief, but it never got easy. If it ever did, she should probably leave the job. She knew agents who became so obsessed with the puzzle presented by the investigation that they forgot the very human wreckage that had brought them into the picture at all. They forgot why they were doing what they did.

One look at Lexa Windhams mothers face would remind anyone of what lay at the heart of this investigation.

A young woman, gone way too soon, before she could even begin to fulfill her potential.

Thank you, Danielle said and followed Katja Windham into the house. It was light and airy with a vaulted ceiling in the living room and a dining room that had windows onto a little courtyard.

Can I get you a cup of coffee? Some water?

Danielle shook her head. No. Thats not necessary.

How about a cookie? Mrs. Windham walked into the kitchen. The counter was covered with covered casseroles and plates of sweets. People keep bringing things. I guess they dont know what to do so they cook and bake. Well never be able to eat it all.

A cookie would be great, Danielle said, choosing a snickerdoodle from a plate that Mrs. Windham had picked up.

Hold on. Ill get my husband. Windham left the kitchen.

Danielle could hear the murmur of voices, although she couldnt quite make out what they were saying. Everything felt subdued. She ate a bite of the cookie, but it felt dry in her mouth. She didnt think it was really about the cookie. It was more about the heaviness of the grief that had settled in the house. She wrapped the cookie in a napkin and put it in her pocket. Who knew? Maybe shed get desperate later and want to eat it. Shed certainly had days on duty when thered been no time to eat and she would have been grateful for half a stale cookie.

Katja Windham returned followed by her husband. He was taller and broader than his wife, with thinning dark hair. His face had the same hollowed out expression as his wifes. He stuck out his hand. Gabriel Windham.

Danielle introduced herself again. Could we sit down? she asked.

Katja shook her head. Of course. Im sorry. I dont know where my head is. Then she led the way into the living room. The Windhams sat next to each other on the couch, hands clasped together. For some couples, the death of a child drove a wedge between them. Others turned to each other for support. It looked like the Windhams were part of the latter group. Danielle was unaccountably glad. She didnt know much about Lexa Windham yet, but she was relatively sure that the last thing the young woman would have wanted was to break up her parents long marriage.

So why is the FBI involved in my daughters death? Gabriel asked.