The detective added, “The good thing is that he always gets caught.”

Theo said, “If April’s with him, she’ll contact us. She’ll find a way.”

“Then, please let us know.”

“Don’t worry.”

“Excuse me, Officer,” Mrs. Boone said. “But I thought in a case like this you first investigate the parents. Missing children are almost always taken by one of their parents, right?”

“This is correct,” Bolick said. “And we are looking for the father. According to the mother, though, she spoke with him yesterday afternoon and he was with his band somewhere in West Virginia. She feels rather strongly that he is not involved in this.”

“April can’t stand her father,” Theo blurted, then wished he’d remained quiet.

They chatted for a few more minutes, but the conversation was obviously over. The officers thanked the Boones for coming and promised to check back later. Both Mr. and Mrs. Boone said they would be at their office all day if they were needed for anything. Theo, of course, would be in school.

As they drove away, Mrs. Boone said, “That poor child. Snatched from her own bedroom.”

Mr. Boone, who was driving, glanced back over his shoulder and said, “Are you okay, Theo?”

“I guess,” he said.

“Of course he’s not okay, Woods. His friend has just been abducted.”

“I can speak for myself, Mom,” Theo said.

“Of course you can, dear. I just hope they find her, and soon.”

There was a hint of sunlight to the east. As they drove through the residential neighborhood, Theo stared out of his window, searching for the hardened face of Jack Leeper. But no one was out there. Lights in homes were being turned on. The town was waking up.

“It’s almost six,” Mr. Boone announced. “I say we go to Gertrude’s and have her world-famous waffles. Theo?”

“I’m in,” Theo replied, though he had no appetite.