Andrew was still missing, and somewhere out there, Vanessa’s hired men were still hunting him — men who did not yet know their employer was in handcuffs.

While searching the belongings Vanessa had tried to remove from the mansion, investigators found the thread that led to him: a map of Northern California, marked; information connected to a particular pickup truck; and a handwritten note, three words. Auburn, Friday. Daniel understood it immediately, and the understanding was ice in his chest.

The men had already found Andrew.

They knew where he was.

They had a place and a day.