“Do we know him?” Mom asks.
I doubt my conservative, sheltered parents travel in the same circles Justin does. “He’s just a friend,” I explain.
“I’ve heard that one before,” Mom replies. “Isn’t that the phrase we used?”
Dad nods. “We maintained ourwe’re just friendsdenial for about a year and then we got married.”
“It’s the best way to begin a relationship,” Mom adds.
I’m bathed in indulgent smiles. Shame suffuses me. “It’s nothing, really,” I say weakly.
My mom kisses my dad’s forehead. “We’re embarrassing her.”
“We’ll leave you alone,” Dad says with a wink. “Maybe we’ll get to meet this young man someday.”
Someday, as in never, I think, a feeling only reinforced when I catch a glimpse of Justin’s next text.
Justin:Got to go. Anarchy awaits.
17
GRAHAM
––––––––
Wednesday, July 14
Marius Boyd arrives at my office at nine in the morning, as arranged. I didn’t want to go in to work, but Marius insisted.
“Amy’s kidnappers could be monitoring your house,” he told me over the phone. “But hundreds of people work at the Galen Research Institute. A stranger won’t stand out.”
I study the man sitting across the desk from me. Military haircut and intelligent black eyes. Freckles are scattered like deer droppings across his face and neck, the backs of his hands. Our last meeting was a year ago. It lasted only half an hour, but I remember the freckles.
Marius picks up the photographs of Amy. His face remains expressionless as he scans them. “You did the right thing coming to us.”
“I don’t know,” I say, feeling the toll of a sleepless night. “I still think I should contact the police.”
“You said the kidnapper was wearing a police uniform.”
“It could’ve been a fake.”
“It could’ve,” Marius concedes, “but are you willing to take that chance?”
I briefly close my eyes. “No.”
“We’ll do everything we can to get your daughter back. Right now though, I need to ask you some questions.”
“Ask.”
“Have you noticed any unusual activity outside your house lately? Utility vehicles parked too long outside? Delivery men coming round more than usual?”
I frown, thinking back. “No.”
“Any of your neighbors or work colleagues acting suspicious in any way?”
“Not that I can tell.”
“What about your daughter? Did—”
