Page 39 of Guess Again

Cherryview, Wisconsin Sunday, July 27, 2025

ETHAN ORGANIZED HIMSELF AT HIS KITCHEN TABLE.

HE HAD PLACED both the photo of the girl and the newspaper into Ziploc bags to preserve whatever evidence might remain on them.

He opened his laptop and typed the name Portia Vail into the search engine.

The first result was the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article, the same one that was now sealed in a makeshift evidence bag on his counter.

He opened the link and read.

Milwaukee, WI, July 26, 2025

Portia Vail was reported missing by her fiancé on Friday, July 4.

She had been absent from her job at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, where she works as a research assistant, for the week.

The twenty-seven-year-old was last seen Saturday, June 28.

A cell phone belonging to the victim was found at her apartment, along with her purse and other personal items, suggesting that her disappearance was not linked to a robbery.

According to sources, the victim’s apartment showed no signs of forced entry.

The Missing Persons Division of the Milwaukee Police Department is handling the case, but has not returned the Sentinel’s calls for comment.

This is an active investigation.

If anyone has information about Portia Vail they are asked to call the hotline number below.

Ethan shifted his gaze from the computer to the photo of Portia Vail handcuffed to a bathroom door.

He grabbed the Ziplocs containing the newspaper article and the photo and hurried out the door.

He climbed into his Wrangler and headed east toward Milwaukee.

He called Maddie on the way.