Lester made no change in his tone or pace. “I mean they wouldn’t even care if you heard. They probably acted like you weren’t even there. But you’re smart enough to keep your ears open and the brain working, aren’t you? You couldn’t stop them, but you might be able to help us find her again.”

She looked up at Ted. “You said I would have a green card.”

Lester shot a sharp look at him.

“Yes,” Ted said. “We promised. But we all want to know that Miss Miller is safe and being cared for. That’s first order of business.”

“She did not want to go.” She chose to direct this to Lester.

Lester nodded, signaling understanding and comforting. It was working. She looked better. Less afraid. “What did you hear?”

“I don’t know. The ugly one. He said something, speaking German, I think.”

“Maybe Russian?” Lester asked.

“Yes,” she said. “I don’t know.”

“The social worker lady, what’s her name, says they took her to another nursing home.”

She shrugged. She didn’t know. “Old people do not like change. She was frightened.”

Lester smiled encouragingly. “None of us do, but you’re right. The old ones take it harder.”

“I want to help her. I’m sorry.”

“You’ve been a big help already. There’s nothing to be sorry about.”

Ted stood. Anora had nothing to offer. It was time to move on and try another avenue, though he wasn’t sure what that would be. “I haven’t forgotten my promise. It may take a little time, but I will do everything I can to make it happen.”

She didn’t believe him. He could see it in her eyes, but he wasn’t going to convince her by repeating it. Especially since he had no idea how he was going to manage it.

Lester shook her hand. “We’ll see you again, Anora.” He joined Ted at the door.

“Would the name of the ambulance company help?” she asked.

They stood on the front steps waiting for Mohammed to bring the car around. The boardwalk blocked any view of the ocean, but the scent of salt air was refreshing, sweeping away the odors of age, loneliness, and quiet despair. Despite the bleak news, Ted found his thoughts and mood were already lighter.

Lester wasn’t as sanguine. “She’s dead, isn’t she?”

Ted had already considered the question. “They need her. If our filing leads to a hearing, the judge will demand we produce her in court or show evidence of why we can’t. If she’s dead, that throws the whole case into probate—which means more delays and the possibility that some third cousin twice removed shows up.”

“She might simply disappear.”

“Same problem, only the delays would be worse. No, they’ve got her on ice somewhere.”