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“Yes.”

“Sheriff Marisol Vega.”

We shake hands.

“I was told your men apprehended two armed suspects on your property an hour before this abduction.”

“They were searching for Sage.”

“Your daughter?”

“Yes.”

“You didn’t know you had a daughter until yesterday.”

“Last night.”

Her gaze moves toward my SUV. Sage is barely visible through the tinted glass.

“This is connected?”

“It has to be.”

“That’s not evidence.”

“One of the men we captured said his employer paid five thousand dollars for Sage. Hayley has spent years trying to find her. If she followed the same people Sage was running from, they’re connected.”

Sheriff Vega studies me for a long moment.

“I’ve already contacted the county handling Sage’s missing-person report. They’re sending the file.”

“She didn’t run away without reason. A trafficker sold her to men connected to a cartel.”

“I know. Deputy Martin sent me your initial statement.”

“Do you believe her?”

“I believe two armed men crossed your fence before sunrise trying to find her.”

That’s enough for now.

“Can we see Hayley’s room?”

“After my people clear it.”

Arthur crouches beside the bag without touching it. “Laptop inside.”

“Maybe she was carrying her investigation,” Taylor says.

Sheriff Vega hears him.

“We’ll process the computer.”

“We need whatever is on it.”

“You’ll get information that pertains to finding Ms. Brooks. You won’t get custody of evidence.”

I respect the answer even though I don’t like it.