“Where’s her father?” Mr. Boone asked.

“He’s off with his band, hasn’t been home in a week.”

“Doesn’t he have a job?” Mrs. Boone asked.

“He buys and sells antique furniture. April says he’ll make a few bucks, then disappear for a week or two with his band.”

“That poor girl,” Mrs. Boone said.

“Are you going to tell the police?” Theo asked.

Both parents took long sips from their coffee cups. They exchanged curious looks as they pondered this. They eventually agreed that they would discuss it later, at the office, while Theo was at school. Mrs. Finnemore was obviously lying to the police, but the Boones were reluctant to get in the middle of that. They doubted if she knew anything about the abduction. She seemed distressed enough. She probably felt guilty for being away when her daughter was taken.

The food arrived and the waitress refilled the coffee cups. Theo was drinking milk.

The situation was very complicated, and Theo was relieved to have his parents involved and doing their share of the worrying.

“Anything else, Theo?” his father asked.

“Not that I can think of.”

His mother said, “When you talked to her last night, was she frightened?”

“Yes. She was really scared and also worried about her mother.”

“Why didn’t you tell us?” his father asked.

“Because she made me promise not to tell. April has to deal with a lot, and she’s very private. She’s also embarrassed by her family and tries to protect them. She was hoping her mother would show up at any minute. I guess someone else did.”

Theo suddenly lost his appetite. He should’ve done more. He should’ve tried to protect April by telling his parents or perhaps a teacher at school. Someone would have listened to him. He could have done something. But, April swore him to silence, and she kept assuring him she was safe. The house was locked; plenty of lights were on, and so forth.