"At that point, Simon will get involved."

Nate tilted his head. "Why isn't your partner handling the investigation?"

"He can't unless he tells them about the kidnapping, which I asked him not to do. He's pretty irritated with me for tying his hands like this."

"I bet."

"He understands the stakes. He expects me to contact him if we get any more information."

"Will you?" Marisa asked.

"The FBI is good at finding people. They might be your best bet."

"But this kidnapper just became a murderer," Nate said. "He'll do whatever he has to do to keep from getting caught."

"Yeah." Garrison turned to Marisa. "I know you don't want the feds involved, but I can't hold out much longer. If we don't get some information soon, Simon's making it official."

She kept her voice even, rational. "Then he'll kill Ana."

"Not if we find him first."

"But—"

"I know," Garrison said. "It still might be our best bet to catch this guy."

"I don't care about catching him." Marisa wiped a single tear. "He can escape to the outer rings of Saturn for all I care. I just want Ana back."

Nate was studying her, probably waiting for her to lose it. She sniffed and sat taller. Maybe she was in shock. Maybe she didn't care.

Nate sat on the tailgate beside her, and she cringed with the truck's movement. Tentatively, he scooted nearer and wrapped his arm around her. Part of her wanted to tell him to back off. Mostly, she needed his nearness.

Garrison said, "You okay?"

She stared beyond him. "We should go."

"Go—?" Nate asked.

"To Pamela Gray's house."

"I think you need—"

She pulled away from him. "I need to find Ana." She jumped off the tailgate, and Garrison stepped back just in time to avoid a collision. "Let's go."

"I don't know if..."

Her look silenced Garrison. "I don't have time to grieve my sister. My daughter is in the hands of a murderer. We have to find her. Now."

She walked to the passenger side of the truck and waited for Nate to unlock the door.

Nate stepped closer to Garrison and whispered something.

Garrison angled his body so his voice wouldn't carry to her ears. They spoke quietly for a few moments.

Marisa stalked back to where they stood. "What?"

"Nothing," Nate said.

She could call him on his lie, but she didn't have the energy. "Are we going?"

Nate glanced at her. "Just making sure we have all the information."

She looked at Garrison, eyebrows raised.

"Pamela Gray's as cold as they come. She won't give you anything if she doesn't see an angle in it for her."

"Even if she knows Marisa's daughter's been kidnapped?"

"She didn't care about Vinnie's murder. Maybe the years have softened her."

"Not according to her maid," Marisa said. "But it doesn't matter. We have to do the next thing. Right?"

Nate thanked Garrison and turned to her. "Let's go."

Chapter 19