“Do you know where they went?”
The woman’s expression changed in an instant when she realized who she was talking to. “I, uh, no. They didn’t say. They were here one day and gone the next. Haven’t seen them since.”
“Were they friendly with anyone in the neighborhood?”
“Not that I know of, but I keep to myself.”
“Thank you for your help.”
“I can’t believe the first lady is out working late at night. Thank you for all you do.”
“Oh, well… It’s my job, but thank you.”
“Are we waking up the neighbors?” Freddie asked as they returned to the sidewalk.
Sam looked around, saw that most of the homes on the street were dark and weighed her options. “I don’t know what to do.”
Freddie’s head swiveled in her direction. “I’ve never heard you say that before.”
“I’ve said it before.”
“Not that I can recall.”
“Where do we begin to look for him, Freddie? He could be anywhere, including the other side of the country—or out of the country entirely, for that matter.”
“We’re not going there yet,” Freddie said. “It’s too soon for doomsday scenarios.”
“We both know how critical the first hours are in a situation like this. If we don’t find him soon, we might never find him.”
“What can I do? I’ll do whatever is needed.”
“I appreciate it, but you should go home and get some sleep. Let’s meet at HQ at seven and start fresh.”
“Are you going home, too?”
“After I see Tracy. I’ll decide what I’m doing after that.”
“You’re sure you don’t want me to stay with you? I don’t mind at all.”
“I know you don’t, but go get some sleep. We might be in for a long few days if this drags on.”
She could see he was torn by the tense expression on his face and the rigid set of his shoulders.
“What about the new case at the hotel? Should I get over there to help with the canvass?”
Sam thought about that for a second. “Go get some sleep so you can relieve Gonzo at the hotel by seven instead of meeting me at HQ.”
He hugged her tightly. “Call me if you need me during the night. I don’t care what time it is. Call me.”
“I will,” she said over a lump in her throat.
He gave her a last squeeze and then took off, looking at his phone as he went, probably hailing an Uber.
“Back to Celia’s, then?” Vernon asked.
Sam nodded as she got into the SUV.
Vernon stood next to her, one hand hooked over the open door. “Don’t let your mind go crazy. Remember, like Freddie said, you experience the worst of everything in your job. That might not apply here.”
