“I got a text from him last week,” says Bree, her jaw tensing. “He sent a cartoon—something about smart doctors who can’t remember their own phone numbers.”
“Right,” says Alex. “I remember now. I got the same thing. I wrote back, telling him it wasn’t as funny as he thought it was.” He looks at the phone. “Professor Pope, is something wrong? What’s going on?”
There’s a quick intake of breath on the other end of the line.“Dr. Cross, I’m not sure what it means, but Damon wasn’t in class this week, and he missed our regular appointment. I checked with some other members of the faculty, and he hasn’t shown up for their classes either. I called his cell phone, but it goes right to voicemail. He hasn’t replied to my texts. I reached out to his girlfriend, Melissa, but I haven’t heard back from her.”
Alex locks eyes with Bree.
“Dr. Cross,” the professor says, “I think your son is missing.”
Nana drops her cast-iron pan to the floor, and a loud bang echoes in the kitchen.
CHAPTER 2
ALEX MOVES UP TO his attic office while continuing to talk with Clarisse Pope. During their conversation, he opens up his laptop and composes an email to Damon. Subject line:URGENT. Message:CALL HOME NOW!
“Professor Pope, are you sure about this?” Alex asks, trying to keep the fear out of his voice. “Maybe Damon’s just been sick for a day or two.”
“I don’t think so. It’s been three days now. I sent one of Damon’s friends from class over to his apartment this morning to check on him, but his door was locked and the lights were out. Nobody answered.”
“Have you contacted the police?” Alex asks. “Or campus security?”
“Actually, that’s why I called,” says Pope. “Damon is an adult, so a missing person report needs to be filed by a family member. But I’m worried, Dr. Cross.”
“Me too,” says Alex. He feels uneasy. His chest is tight and throbbing, reminding him that not so long ago he took a bullet in the line of duty and ended up in the ICU. He has his best friend and former police partner, John Sampson, to thank for being alive today.
“How did Damon seem in your classes?” Alex asks. “Was he his usual self? Did he seem concerned or moody, like something was bothering him?”
How many times has he questioned witnesses just like this, seeking answers to some mystery or crime? Including crimes against his own family.
“No, not at all,” says Pope. “He seemed fine, joking, answering questions, like always.”
“And still nothing from Melissa?”
“I texted her again just before I called you. No response.”
Melissa and Damon met as undergrads back at Davidson and have been living together off campus. She’s a grad student at UNC like Damon and a busy teaching assistant besides. Melissa is a smart, pretty girl who knows what she wants and where she’s going. Alex can’t imagine her taking part in some sort of prank or hoax.
He also can’t imagine her not calling to let them know Damon is missing.
Did they take off somewhere together? Is Melissa missing too? Are they both off the grid?
“Have you reached out to Melissa’s parents?” asks Alex.
“I believe they’re traveling in Europe,” says Pope. “My assistant is working on contacting them. But I wanted to get in touch with you.”
He hears footsteps on the stairs and Bree walks into his office, her face drawn.
“If I find out anything new,” says Pope, “I’ll let you know.”
“Thanks for calling,” says Alex. “We’ll talk soon.”
“Wait!” says Pope. “Let me give you the names and numbers for campus security and the Chapel Hill police.”
“I’ve got them already,” says Alex, tapping on his laptop. “But no worries. In a couple hours, I’ll be seeing them face to face.”
CHAPTER 3
ALEX GETS UP FROM his desk and walks over to Bree. They hug, tight.
