Laurel stood in the vestibule that led to Fish and Wildlife as well as the stairs to her office. “I’ll call you when Davie arrives.”

“Thanks.” Huck kept his door open, looking broad and strong in the early light. “What’s your take on Tommy? The kid definitely has an overbearing mother.”

Laurel grimaced. “Yes, but he seems to be rebelling more than anything else. The killer we’re looking for would seem innocuous. He wouldn’t be drawing attention to himself like Tommy is, although we need to learn more about his arrest. I’m hoping Kate’s kids will be able to help with that.”

Huck’s phone buzzed and he looked down at it and sighed.

“What?”

“It’s Rachel, and she has the story on Christine Franklin. Wants to know if Franklin was in FBI custody when she was attacked.” Huck shook his head. “She’s trying to make something out of it.”

That was all the case needed. “Nobody was in custody,” Laurel said. “Not yet, anyway.” She needed an update on Walter’s status. “I’ll call you in a few minutes.”

“Wait. I want to see what else Rachel knows.”

Laurel turned away. “That’s a bad idea, but I’m not your boss.”

“I’ll do whatever I have to in order to get Christine Franklin back before she’s killed,” he snapped, his voice lowering.

She swallowed. “We aren’t going to agree about this.” Trusting the journalist who’d already betrayed him twice seemed illogical, but maybe he still had feelings for the woman. They had been engaged. Laurel strode up the stairs, so tired that the cancan dancers on the faded wallpaper seemed to be moving. Kate wasn’t in as of yet, but Nester typed rapidly away on his keyboard in the computer hub. “Hi.”

“Hey.” Nester grimaced. “Dr. Joseph Keyes still hasn’t been found. His assistant doesn’t know where he is, but she doesn’t seem worried. Said he often takes off for mental health days.” He rubbed his bald head. “There was a hint of sarcasm to her voice, but I don’t know why. We might need to interview her in person.”

That wasn’t a bad idea. “Any luck with the warrants?”

“Not yet. Apparently nobody sees the urgency here.” He shook his head. “Also, the search team called in and is moving to another quadrant via air. They’re just flying around, if you ask me. I’ll keep trying to find property where Christine Franklin could be, but I’m not having any luck. Yet.”

“Just do your best.” Laurel switched her laptop bag to her other shoulder. “Put out a BOLO for Dr. Joseph Keyes, would you? State and federal. I want to find that man.”

“Sure thing.”