“They’re just good friends,” she replies. “He’s always been someone Cameron can lean on.”

“Lean on when?” I ask. “For what sorts of things?”

“The usual stuff, I guess.” Emily doesn’t look at Troy, only reanchors herself, taking a breath. “We’ve been having some problems. As a family.”

“That’s no one’s business,” Troy bursts in.

“Mr. Curtis.” I stop him, keeping my voice as neutral as possible. “If Cameron was under stress at home, we need to know it. You can’t hold back anything that might help the case.”

“Troy, please,” Emily says. “We have to be honest. Cameron has been affected by all of this. You know she has.”

From the strain in Emily’s voice I can tell how hard it is for her to let her guard down and show weakness. But that’s true of most people in a situation like this. I’ve rarely encountered a family that could bear the scrutiny of an investigation without falling apart, sometimes slowly, sometimes all at once.

“We’ve been arguing a lot lately,” Emily says.

“Everyone argues,” Troy jumps in reflexively. “Marriage is no walk in the park.”

“Cameron’s always been sensitive,” Emily continues. “I think she’s been worried we’ll split up.”

“Sure,” I say. “Did you try to reassure her?”

“I tried. Maybe not enough.”

Will and I share a glance. We’re only beginning to understand the family dynamic, but it’s become obvious that Cameron has been under emotional strain. In that state she could have leaned on someone new or familiar, someone she thought she could trust to help. That need increased her vulnerability. It gave her contour as a target. Made her glow in the dark.

“Emily,” I say, “at the risk of making you uncomfortable, Sheriff Flood mentioned to me that your brother has had criminal allegations made against him in the past. Has he had any recent access to Cameron?”

She blanches. “What do you mean by ‘access’?”

“Is he still part of your life? How often do you see him?”

“Not as much as we used to. He and his wife, Lydia, live in Napa now. They bought a vineyard and make their own wine.”

“He’s retired, then?”

“He’s done very well for himself.” Her tone is stiff, defensive. But I hear something else, too. Survivor’s guilt? Some sort of invisible alliance?

“Any reason the visits stopped?” Will asks.

“Just life, I guess. We’ve been busy here.”

Busier now than when you used to work? I think to myself. Then I ask, “Do he and Lydia have children?”

“My nephew Ashton is in boarding school out east. Andover.” She pauses, her expression darkening. “What are all these questions about? You’re not suggesting Drew could have hurt Cameron?”

“I’d love to see Cameron’s room,” I say, closing my notebook. “Emily, would you show me?”

(eighteen)