Nate stood and leaned against the arm of the sofa so he'd be close if Marisa needed him. Not that he could do much if the news was bad.

He couldn't do anything to help her. A few weeks ago, all he'd wanted was security. Now he'd give everything, even his own life, to see Marisa reunited with her daughter. To see them both happy and healthy and protected. To heck with his own security. To heck with his own future. To heck with everything, as long as Marisa and Ana were safe.

Marisa paused in front of him, arms crossed, staring at Brady.

Nate pushed himself up and opened his arms. If nothing else, at least he could offer comfort. It seemed like such a little thing. Such an insignificant thing. But Marisa stepped into his arms and allowed him to hold her while Brady spoke.

Finally, Brady said, "Thanks. Let me know," and hung up the phone.

Marisa pulled out of Nate's arms and turned to Brady. "Well?"

"Why don't you sit?"

"Just tell me."

"They weren't there."

Marisa's hope seemed to crumble.

Nate guided her to the sofa.

Brady continued. "But it was definitely where he'd been holding her. Thing is, the place has been emptied out. Either the guy never had any personal stuff there, or he cleaned it all out. No clothes. No food except some yogurt in the fridge. No shaving cream or soap or any of the stuff a man would need if he were living there."

Marisa nodded. Tears streamed down her cheeks, but she made no move to wipe them away.

Nate snatched a tissue from the box on the coffee table and held it out to Marisa.

She looked at it like she had no idea what to do with it. "Did he know they were coming?"

"Doubtful," Brady said. "The cops only had the information for forty-five minutes before they acted on it. I think he just moved on."

"We're never going to find her."

"We know who he is," Brady said. "We know what he wants, and we can get in touch with him. Through the mistress, Jessica. Through his mother. Don't lose hope."

She stood and hovered in the space between the coffee table and the sofa.

"Where you going?" Nate said.

"I feel..." She wrapped her arms around her stomach, and her face paled. She bolted into her bedroom and slammed the door behind her.

Nate stood, stepped toward the door.

"Wait."

He turned to see Rae lift Johnny and stand. "I'll check on her." She laid the baby on a blanket on the floor, where he fussed in the silence. Rae snatched a rattle out of her giant bag and handed it to him. "Here you go."

Johnny grabbed the rattle and shook it and smiled.

Rae faced Nate. "Okay?"

Nate stared after Marisa. "Yeah. Okay."

Rae disappeared into the bedroom, and Nate sat back down.