“There is a version of this where I damage her case.”

“Good.” A pause. “You’re going to go looking anyway.”

“Probably.”

“Then take somebody with you,” Alan said, and hung up, which is as close to a blessing as he’s ever given anybody.

The next morning I called Deputy Cole Barrett and asked one question: had anyone traced the number that Emily’s phone dialed or texted between 11:00 and 11:10 that night?

He was silent for about three seconds. Then he said, “Dr. Hayes, where are you right now?”