“I’m looking for Linnie…” Linnie who? What was Linnie’s last name? Why hadn’t she asked Sam this beforehand? Lamely, she started again. “I’m looking for someone named Linnie. Do you know her?”

The woman with the ponytail and someone across from her shared a wry glance. She raised her Labatt Blue to indicate the door. “In there.” She took a sip. “Somewhere.”

Maggie exhaled. “Thanks.” She trudged up the stairs and slipped inside.

The place was crowded. Talk and laughter mixed with music, and it took her a moment to recognize an Ariana Grande song. To her left, smoke clouded the living room. People lounged on three couches, mismatched and ratty, around a table cluttered with drinks. Somewhere in the house, a dog barked. The dining room to her right had a table that was missing its chairs. Four men were talking and drinking by the table.

No one in the living room seemed to register her arrival, but the tallest guy in the dining room huddle did. His eyebrows shot up. He smiled. “How’s it going?” He drank what was left of his beer.

Maggie just nodded and folded her arms. “Do you know where I can find Linnie?”

“Not sure.” He raised his hand, an apologetic gesture. “Can I get you a drink?”

“No. No, thanks. I just need to find Linnie.” I need to find Sara. Sara Wood. Do you know her?

“Hey, Tim.” He tapped the guy next to him with his bottle.

Tim turned in a staggering way.

“Where’s Linnie?”

“Basement, maybe.”

“They still playing beer pong?”

“As long as there be beer, young Caleb, there be pong.”

Caleb. While Tim snorted a laugh at his own comment, Maggie wondered if this was the guy that Sam had mentioned. Caleb rolled his eyes at Tim and said something about dumb jokes.

She retreated a few steps. The door to the basement was probably in the kitchen. Should she ask to make sure or just find her own way?

“Who are you with?” Caleb asked.

She took another step back. Waves slammed in her ears. I was with my friend, but I can’t find her. “My boyfriend…” Jesus, too loud, shut up. In a higher pitch, she added quickly, “He’s a cop.”

“Oh.” He looked at her funny. “Okay?” His wide shoulders came up. “I’ll show you the basement.”

Maggie followed him through the dining room. She stared straight ahead. She didn’t want to know if anyone was studying her. She didn’t want to make eye contact. Yeah, you. Come over here. Free shots for Matt’s special guests. Now don’t say that. If you’re pretty, you’re automatically Matt’s special guest.