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“Is Megan okay, incidentally? I haven’t been able to reach her for a couple of weeks.”

“I’m glad you’re here,” Terry said. “Megan is another reason I was intending to talk to you. Since thislittle adventure you two have embarked upon—and I don’t diminish it, that’s not what I’m saying—but since Megan started looking into things on her own, her psychiatrist has told me some troubling things about her progress. She appears to have relapsed. Nightmares. Regression in memory during her therapy sessions. Withdrawal. Depression. All the symptoms she showed immediately after her ordeal.”

“When did this start?” Livia asked. “I mean, I’m sorry that she’s going through this, but the last time we talked she was doing well and was eager to help. I’ve had long conversations with your daughter, sir, about what she wants and what she still needs for closure.”

“Dr. Cutty, I appreciate the forensic expertise you bring to Megan’s case, and your sister’s, but you are no psychiatrist. Am I correct?”

“Of course not.”

“Then please, I beg you, leave Megan out of this thing you are doing. I understand your need for answers, and your family’s need. But you don’t know my daughter. You don’t know the hell she went through, and the long journey it’s been for her to get back to some sense of normalcy. I will support you in any way my office or influence will allow. But please, leave my daughter out of it. She’s come so far under Dr. Mattingly’s tutelage, I won’t allow that effort to be wasted. She was, until just recently, a different person than when she returned from her ordeal. She was, her mother and I were noticing, returning to the girl we remember. I want that girl back, Dr. Cutty. And seeing her with you, and the backward leaps she’s taken in the last couple of weeks convinces me that you’re hurting her progress.”

Livia stared at Terry McDonald, unsure how torespond. Livia knew things about his daughter that he did not. But Megan had been unavailable for days and had returned none of Livia’s calls. Indeed, regression was possible but Livia wondered what suddenly brought it on.

“I’m sorry,” Livia said, “if I’ve caused any problems. That was not my intent.”

“Of course not. I’m simply making you aware of the situation. It’s not healthy for Megan to pursue this. I will help you, like I said. In any way I can. As long as you keep Megan out of it. Can we agree on that?”

Livia slowly nodded. “Yes.”

“All right,” Sheriff McDonald said, shifting his focus and pulling open his bottom drawer to reveal a file folder. “I made some calls. Talked with detectives in Virginia and Georgia, as well as the guys here who ran Megan’s and Nicole’s cases. Brought them up to speed on your findings and suspicions. They’re going to take a step back and look at it all. Don’t expect immediate results, that’s not how these guys work. But they were interested. Very interested.” Terry nodded his head. “Despite my reservations about your judgment involving Megan, this is really good work, Dr. Cutty.”

“I’ve got more,” Livia said. Over the last few nights, she had documented and expanded on everything she learned from Nate Theros about the potential traits of the man responsible for Nancy Dee’s and Paula D’Amato’s deaths, as well Megan’s kidnapping and the botched transfer the night she escaped from the bunker. Nate’s theories, organized by Livia’s meticulous scientific mind, filled three pages. She pushed her work across the desk until it rested in front of the sheriff.

Terry McDonald took several minutes to read the report. “These are your conclusions?”

“No, sir,” Livia said. “I had some help.”

“From a criminologist?”

Livia shook her head. “Not exactly, but someone with an . . . odd hobby. He prefers to remain anonymous.”

“Can I keep this?” Terry asked.

“Of course.”

“I’ll show it to our guys. Compare it against what they came up with.” Terry placed the profile into his folder and returned it to the bottom drawer.

“So things are rolling now,” he said. “I’ve made the calls, and we’ll see what comes next. It will take these detectives time to clear their dockets in order to justify putting hours into a cold case. I’m going to do what I can on my own while we’re waiting, and I’ll keep you posted on any news.”

“Is there a way for me to reach Megan? She hasn’t been returning my calls.”

“With respect, Dr. Cutty, I’d prefer you leave Megan alone for the time being.”

Livia nodded. “Fair enough. Will you tell her I’m thinking about her?”

“I’ll let her know.”

Livia stood. “Thanks again for what you’re doing. I know it’s hard on you and your family.”

“As well as yours, Dr. Cutty. I’ll be in touch.”

CHAPTER 44

August 2016

The Night of the Abduction

Nicole Cutty pulled her car into the parking lot of Emerald Cove, where the beach party was happening, an end-of-summer tradition for Emerson Bay kids. It was seven p. m. and the sun was at a steep slant across the water as Nicole and her friends primped in the parking lot, Jessica and Rachel fighting over the passenger-side visor mirror while Nicole smacked her lips in the rearview after applying a final coat of lipstick.