Page 116 of Forever Gone

The third date confirmed it.

Mid-forties. Average height and build. No visible tattoos, unusual jewelry, or clothing that would remain in a witness’s memory. She walked through the library without speaking to anyone.

Connor exported the clearest stills and sent them to Selena’s secure account.

Facial comparison returned no reliable match.

Selena tried federal criminal records, state licensing photographs available through authorized systems, jail bookings, known associates, and local databases. Nothing connected the woman to Karen, Ruth, or Linda.

Kelly stood behind her. “No driver’s-license result?”

"The angle is poor, and the resolution is worse. The system's offering low-confidence candidates from three states, including Kentucky."

“Anything usable?”

Selena worked through the returns. “Nothing close to the comparison threshold. The Kentucky matches are all down in the thirties.”

“So we don’t have an identification.”

“Not from this.”

Outside, the day had begun fading toward evening. The windows reflected the briefing room over the parking lot, placing Karen, Ruth, and Linda’s photographs against the darkening glass.

Connor rubbed the back of his neck. “We found her and still don’t know who she is.”

Selena studied the woman on-screen. “We’re looking at the version of her that already knew how to hide.”

Dana closed one search window. “What do you suggest?”

“Go back to the beginning. Before disposable accounts and library terminals became habits.” Selena opened MorningGlory44’s oldest posts. “People usually learn caution after giving something away.”

Dana searched dates, appointments, towns, businesses, court references, doctors, schools, and anything else that might point outside the platform. Most results were vague. MorningGlory44 spoke about fear and disappointment without naming the person who caused either.

At 5:06, Dana leaned closer to her screen.

“I think I have something.”

The post was fourteen months old.

I won’t make Thursday’s discussion. I have a mediation session that afternoon, and I doubt I’ll be fit company afterward.

Selena checked the surrounding thread. Other users wished her luck. One asked whether the mediation concerned her divorce. MorningGlory44 answered.

Yes. Using the same lawyer. Better than the last one. Closer, too.

“We need to identify a local family lawyer,” Selena said.

Connor checked the time. “Most offices will be closing.”

“Then we call around, quickly.”

Dana produced a list of family-law mediators within forty miles. Selena called the first office. A receptionist refused to confirm any client information without legal process.

The second mediator checked the date but found no appointment matching the time or description.

Light drained from the station windows while the third number rang.

A woman answered. “Henderson Family Mediation.”