Ava slunk over to stand in front of me. She stared, obviously wanting to ask about my hideously scarred skin, but said only, “I’m sorry I interrupted your work to make you come over.”
Her monotonal words couldn’t have sounded more scripted if she’d been reading off a teleprompter.
“It’s all right.” I smiled. “You’re more important than my work.”
Blake’s bitter snort was so quiet, I would have missed it if I hadn’t been listening for it.
“I heard that if you don’t find a missing person in the first forty-eight hours, the chance of finding them goes way down.” Ava blurted the words like she was afraid her father would physically cover her mouth to stop her.
“The longer someone’s missing, the worse the odds become, that’s true,” I said.
“Not helpful, Mother,” Blake said quietly.
“But every case is different,” I continued. “Sage’s parents called the police quickly, right? If something did happen, that improves his chances. Ava, has Sage ever run away before?”
“You don’t have to do this,” Blake said before Ava could answer. “I’m sure Sage will be fine, and the police have enough to worry about without an ex-PI getting involved.”
“I’m still licensed,” I said.
At the same time, Ava said, “No, never. But he’s been acting weird lately.”
“You mentioned that on the phone.” I dug my notebook from my purse and opened it to a new page. “Weird in what way?”
“Always staring off into space or staring at me. He told me there’s something special about me.”
“It sounds like he might have a crush.” That would explain the weirdness.
If Ava rolled her eyes any harder, she’d be able to see her own brain. “He also said there was something special about Morgan and Dad. Doesthatsound like a crush?”
“No, it doesn’t.” It sounded like trouble. I leaned forward. “What exactly did he say about you and your brother and father?”
Blake was frowning and listening intently now. So was Morgan.
“Just that we’redifferent, whatever that means.”
“Ava, tell me about Sage’s family,” I said.
“His parents are nice, I guess,” said Ava. “Sage never complained much, except once when they grounded him for stealing a charging cable.”
“I’ve known Sage’s parents almost four years now,” added Blake. “They’re good people, and Sage is a good kid.”
Ava looked off to her right, and her lips tightened.
“What is it?” I asked.
Her shoulders went up half an inch. “Nothing.”
Blake stepped closer. “Ava, you know you can tell me anything, right?”
She didn’t answer.
I turned to Morgan. “Would you please give us some privacy?”
He frowned and opened his mouth like he was about to argue, but before he could speak, his father gave him alook. Morgan swallowed whatever protest he’d been planning and headed for the stairs without a word.
“Nicely done,” I murmured to Blake. I waited until I heard Morgan’s footsteps in the upstairs hall, followed by the sound of his bedroom door closing. Then I turned my full attention to my granddaughter. “Ava Madeline Davis, look at me.”
With a huff and a sigh, she faced me.
