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Stella nodded. “Okay, we’ll check out Ian Montell.

But before we do, we need your help retracing your daughter’s actions leading up to the fire and kidnapping.

We’ll need access to her computer, social media accounts, and any other digital devices she used.

Those often provide critical information in cases like this. When was the last time you saw her?”

Mannie cocked his head. “The night of the fire. She was at home. I think she was watching TV when Frannie and I went up to bed.”

Frances gave a weak smile. “That’s right. The last time I saw her, she was downstairs on the couch.”

Stella jotted down some notes. “And then what happened?”

Mannie furrowed his brow. “What happened? I’ll tell you.

Just before midnight, I woke up with my room full of smoke.

No smoke detectors going off. I got Frances up and out of the house, then opened Tyra’s door.

It was fully engulfed, everything burning.

” He sank into a chair. Tears slid down his face.

Stella knew the rest. A firefighter had found him on the steps and hauled him out.

Frances gazed at Stella with genuine emotion. “It was terrifying.”

Stella waved her hand for them to continue. “And where was Tyra?”

“I couldn’t find her.” Mannie wiped his face with his bandages.

“Though, obviously, she wasn’t there. We didn’t know it at the time.

I was frantic, yelling at the firefighters to save my daughter.

But they determined pretty quick that no one was inside the house.

And of course, I later realized her car was gone. ”

“What kind of car does she drive?”

“It’s a white Mercedes GLC 300. Brand new.”

Well, that should make it easier to find .

“And you don’t know where the vehicle is now?”

Mannie narrowed his eyes at her. “No. I’m sorry, but are you implying that my daughter might have started the fire and skipped out?”

Stella arched a brow at that conclusion.

“Actually, I was contemplating how a kidnapper could’ve gotten to her room, started a fire to cover their tracks, and then stolen her vehicle.

Perhaps with her inside. I was pondering that, because that’s the story that best seems to align with your version of events.

Should I consider Tyra started the fire and skipped out? ”

The answer is yes, but let’s see what he does.

“No. Tyra would never.”

Frances gave a delicate, almost silent snort.

Stella rocked back on her heels. The dynamic in the room had gone from interesting to important.

“We’re establishing a dedicated phone line at our command post. A couple of techs will come in after us.

” Hagen glanced from Mannie to Frances. “All calls to your phones will be routed through our systems to help with tracing. This card has the number for our twenty-four-hour tech team lead. Her name is Special Agent Mackenzie Drake, Mac for short.”

Mannie accepted the card, peering at it like he might find Tyra between the numbers. “And what should I do with this?”

“Keep it close.” Upon standing, Hagen towered over the man just a bit. “Call if you get any messages.”

After further instructions and taking their leave, Stella and Hagen stepped out of the apartment.

Stella nodded at the police officer stationed outside. “Any updates from the evidence response team at the fire scene?”

“They’re still processing, ma’am. The fire investigator is coordinating with your team at the field office. ”

Fire investigations required thorough examination for the techs to pick out the story of where the fire started, what fueled its spread, and whether arson was involved.

Despite her snarky hint that Tyra’s kidnapping seemed less than likely, Stella still itched to get that report.

Hard data would tell them more about possible scenarios.

Outside, brittle winter sunlight cascaded across the parking lot. At the driver’s side door, Hagen paused with his fingers hooked under the handle.

Stella peered across the hood at him as she popped her door open. “What?”

After a long moment of considering the upper hotel windows, Hagen slid into his seat and started the engine. “If Tyra didn’t kidnap herself?—”

“Which she might have.” Stella settled herself in at his side.

Hagen inclined his head in acknowledgement. “The boyfriend could know enough about the layout of the house and have access to her car to have taken her.”

As he turned them back toward the field office, Monday morning Nashville traffic hummed along outside the windows of the SUV.

“Agreed. He’s the only other possibility I can see right now. Besides pure extortion, of course.” In Stella’s hand, her phone lit up, buzzing with a call from Mac.

“Got stuff for you.” The cyber expert was all efficiency. Pings sounded in Stella’s ear as information dropped into her phone.

“Got it.” Stella scrolled through the info as Mac hung up, filling Hagen in. “Mac’s looking into Tyra’s phone records. No idea yet if the girl kidnapped herself, but in the meantime, Mac sent over a home and work address for Ian Montell. And get this. He’s got a record. ”

Hagen grinned. “Nice. Seeing as it’s Monday morning, I think we should try his work first.”

Stella checked the address on her phone. “It’s in the other direction.”

He pulled a U-turn. “Only a few hours on the case, and it looks like we’ve got ourselves a prime suspect already.”

Stella smiled. “Now all we have to do is find him.”