“Sourdough starter?” I should have known it would sound as stupid to Michael as it had to the cops. He’d spent his day at the police station, defending himself, and I was miles away making up stories.

“Like the kind she gave me from her aunt’s starter. But Alondra’s pretty sure she’s in Texas. Elizabeth got a postcard, dropped off, not mailed. And there’s security footage.”

“This is insane.” I could picture Michael running a hand over his head, ruffling up the hair the way he did when he was frustrated. “And you thought she was leaving your parents a message? Where is she?”

“I wish we knew. If they’d catch her, this whole thing would be over.” At least we’d be safe. If Brady and Lena were both behind bars, Michael and I could go home together.

Finally asleep, Grace seemed to get heavier on my shoulder. Carefully I lowered her to the bed. She lay on her back with her arms relaxed, the only good thing I knew I could offer my husband. “Your girl’s asleep. When she wakes, I’ll send you a picture on this phone.”

“I’d like that. I miss you both so much.” His voice was in my ear, as intimate as if he were beside me.

We were talking but leaving so much unsaid. That was the way we had been in Texas, walking through our days closed off and mute, isolated even when we were together. I wanted to know, really know, everything he wasn’t telling me. “What did you really do all day?”

He was silent, and I couldn’t stand it. If I wanted honesty, I’d have to go first. I blurted out, “Before the whole sourdough thing, I went to the museum.”

“Really?” He sounded shocked. “What for?”

Maybe this was a bad idea. He’d think I was obsessing or worse, regressing. But I was tired of letting my fear widen the gulf between us. “When I was looking at Aimee’s pictures online, I thought I saw Lena. I went to warn her.”

“You thought Lena was up there, and you went out alone?”

“It doesn’t matter. She’s in Texas anyway.”

“You didn’t know that, Kacy. Damn.”

“But you’re safe? I mean, if she’s down there—”

“I’m safe, I swear. There’s someone here all the time. We split a pizza for dinner. Nice guy. But, Kacy, promise me you’ll stay put. That was the point of going up there, so you and Grace would be safe.”

“You have to promise me too.”

“I’m in a safe house with an armed officer. How much safer do I need to be?”

“No, I mean, promise that you’ll tell me when something big happens. Just because I’m up here doesn’t mean you’re on your own.”