They should be searching now, instead of talking to me.

The question . . . what was it? Oh, yes, distinguishing features. . . . She focused as best she could, hoping to get this over with as quickly as possible.

“He’s got two moles on his left cheek, one larger than the other,” she finally offered. “No other birthmarks.”

Sergeant Huddle noted this information without looking up from his pad. “And he could get out of his car seat and open the door?”

“Yes. He’s been doing that for a few months now.”

The state trooper nodded. His five-year-old daughter, Campbell, could do the same thing.

“Do you remember what he was wearing?”

She closed her eyes, thinking.

“A red shirt with a big Mickey Mouse on the front. Mickey’s winking and one hand has a thumbs-up sign. And jeans-stretch waist, no belt.”

The two men exchanged glances. Dark colors.

“Long sleeves?”

“No.”

“Shoes?”

“I think so. I didn’t take them off, so I assume they’re still on. White shoes, I don’t know the brand. Something from Wal-Mart.”

“How about a jacket?”

“No. I didn’t bring one. It was warm today, at least when we started to drive.”

As the questioning went on, lightning, three flashes close together, exploded in the night sky. The rain, if possible, seemed to fall even harder.

Sergeant Huddle raised his voice over the sound of the pounding rain.

“Do you still have family in the area? Parents? Siblings?”

“No. No siblings. My parents are deceased.”

“How about your husband?”

Denise shook her head. “I’ve never been married.”

“Has Kyle ever wandered off before?”

Denise rubbed her temple, trying to keep the dizziness at bay.

“A couple of times. At the mall once and near my house once. But he’s afraid of lightning. I think that might be the reason he left the car. Whenever there’s lightning, he crawls into bed with me.”