Page 46 of The Familiar Stranger

“There’s no need to apologize. What’s happened?”

Maddie and I had turned our lights back on and were sitting straight up in bed.

His words came out in a rush. “Andi’s gone. I mean, she hasn’t come home yet, and it’s past her midnight curfew. She never misses her curfew. Not since … well, you know. I can’t get her on the phone because?—”

“Ping her phone,” I said.

“I did. That’s what I was about to say. Her phone was on the grass next to our driveway. I have it in my hands right now.”

“Holy crap,” Maddie whispered.

I thought back to what I’d said during my previous visit, about Andi sticking close to her dad, not doing anything that would cause us to worry. With a killer running loose, why had she been allowed to go out tonight?

“Okay, Mike, let’s take a breath or two here.” Easier said than done. I couldn’t even catch mine. “Where was she tonight?”

“She was with her friend up the street, four houses down. I just called them, of course, woke everyone up … and they say she left there at just before midnight, like clockwork.”

“What time did you call them?” I asked.

“Just now. Everything happened just now. I fell asleep on the couch, and when I woke up, I saw the time. Checked the house. No Andi.”

His voice had begun to crack as he fought back what sounded like a rising panic.

I felt it too.

“Have you called the cops?” I asked.

“I have.”

“Good. We’re heading your way now.”

Even though she hadn’t been missing long, I hoped the local law would respond quickly to the fact that it was Andi Leland, and it was possible she’d been kidnapped again. That human trafficking investigation a few years ago had been a big deal. Worth a try, at least.

I looked at Maddie, and she nodded her agreement.

“This can’t be happening again, Sloane. Please …” Then she leaned toward the phone. “Mike, it’s Maddie here. I’m sure there’s a good explanation. Let us get dressed, and we’ll talk more when we see you.”

“The cops are knocking. Can’t believe they’re already here?—”

“Good,” I said. “Go, talk to them.”

And he was gone.

We threw on jeans and sweatshirts and bolted for the car. Earlier, I’d considered using the valet service but opted for the parking garage instead. I’d had a feeling I might need to leave in a rush.

This was one time I wished I’d been wrong.

CHAPTER32

We parked on the curb in front of the Leland home. Mike was visible through the front windows, his arms flying around as he spoke to the two uniformed officers in the living room. He had a phone in each hand, I assumed his and Andi’s.

“Let’s wait a few minutes, let him get everything out before we go in,” I said.

“Poor guy,” Maddie said.

“Poor Andi,” I added.

A few minutes passed. We sat in silence, Maddie biting her nails, me attempting to lip read, figure out what the cops were saying to Mike and he to them, and failing.

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