The saying there’s no place like home is the damn truth. When I walk inside my house, I instantly relax. It’s after ten. We didn’t leave Prescott’s until late morning, and then the helicopter was late arriving because of a mix-up. We finally got to Westchester County Airport, but weather caused delays for planes taking off. Fog set in overnight so the earlier flights had to be pushed back.

I crash on the bed and the streaming sun wakes me in the morning. I was so tired, I forgot to close the damn blinds last night. It’s still early, only seven, so I go for a run on the beach. After my shower and a quick breakfast, I take a chance and call Midnight. She doesn’t answer so I figure she’s still asleep.

When I don’t hear from her by ten, I call again. And again. We left things on a positive note, so I know she’s expecting my call. Alarm bells go off. It’s noon now, so I take off for her place. Her car is gone and when I look in her windows, everything seems fine.

The only person I know to call is Helen. She may know something.

“Harrison? What’s up?”

“Have you talked to Midnight today?”

“Not today. She seemed fine yesterday though. Why?”

“I was supposed to see her today and she’s not here. She won’t answer her phone either.”

“Hmm. That’s weird. She did mention that Holt what’s-his-name came by her place the other night, but was super nice. She was a little freaked by it. Do you think he might’ve done something?”

“I don’t know, but I’m about to find out. If you hear from her, will you call me?”

“Sure thing.”

I drive straight to Holt Ward’s estate. The gate keeps me from entering but I press the call button. A voice comes on and asks who I am. I give my name and am told Mr. Ward isn’t at home. When I ask when he’ll return, they won’t say.

“Tell him to call Harrison Kirkland immediately.”

My next call is to Leland. He was supposed to be keeping an eye on her. We agree to meet at the office. I need access to our computer where I can begin my search.

“What the hell happened to her? Weren’t you watching her?” Anger bleeds into my tone, even though I try to restrain myself.

“Yes, or rather, I hired someone to. She’s been around spending time with Helen. He’s been checking on her and saw her pick up the mail yesterday morning. Let me call him.” Leland places the call and I’m not happy with his expression.

“What?”

“When she went to pick up the mail, he left to go get something to eat. When he returned, her car was gone.”

“Why the hell didn’t he call you?” My voice is raised.

“He said he figured I knew.”

“But that was yesterday. And now she’s gone and won’t answer the phone. I need to start a search.”

“What are you going to search for?”

“How the fuck do I know?”

“Maybe she went shopping and her phone died. Don’t you think you’re jumping to conclusions here?”

“And what if I’m not? What if I wait and something terrible has happened?”

Leland squints at me. “You’ve got it bad for her, don’t you?”

I don’t bother answering that. Instead, I call Rashid.

“Is there a way you can ping a cell phone?” I ask.

“Depends on whose phone and what you need.”

I tell him the issue I’m facing.

“No problem. When we had her phone, I installed a few things and never took them off, just in case something happened later. Give me a few minutes and I’ll call you back.”

Leland says, “Don’t be surprised if she’s at the mall.”

“She’s not. I know it. Don’t ask me how, I just do.” My gut tells me something is terribly wrong.

Rashid hits us back about fifteen minutes later. “She’s in Phoenix. Actually, she’s in an area north of Phoenix, a town called Black Canyon City.”

Why the fuck would she be there?

“Can you tell me anything else?”

“Yeah. She was at LAX so she must’ve flown. I’ll text you the location I have and if anything changes.”

“Thanks, Rashid.”

“Anytime.”

I drag my lower lip into my mouth as I chew on it. What the hell is up?

“Leland? Any ideas here?”

“Vacation?”

“Fuck no. We just talked and were supposed to meet today. Pull up Black Canyon City and see what it says.”

“It doesn’t say much. It’s sort of out in the middle of nowhere.”

“Get the plane ready. I’m flying to Phoenix.”

“You can’t just fly off to do what ... drag her back here. What if she doesn’t want to come back?”

He’s right. What if she left and isn’t coming back? But that’s ridiculous.

“Look, don’t ask me why, but I know something is wrong.” I place my fist over my stomach. “I feel it here. She’s in trouble, Leland, and if I don’t do something, this may not end well.”

Leland is already pulling his phone out and notifying the pilot. He knows me too well and realizes there is no dissuading me from this.

“The plane will be ready in an hour. Do you want me to come with you?”

“Yeah, but stay with the flight crew. I have a totally bad vibe about this.”

“You don’t look so good.”

“See you at the airport.”

I hurry home and throw some things in a duffel bag, including my Glock and an extra mag and ammunition ... just in case. I hope I’m not walking into the O.K. Corral, but I need to protect myself, as well as Midnight. I hope to fuck she’s okay. If anything’s happened to her, I don’t know what the hell I’m going to do.

Leland’s changed into jeans and hiking boots.

“You’re not going out there with me,” I say.

“You’re not going alone. I’ll stay in the car, but if something happens to you, you’ll need backup.”

Now’s not the time to argue. Pete lets us know we’re cleared for takeoff. During the flight, Rashid sends us a list of several places Midnight visited. They were a hospital, a cemetery, and a neighborhood in Phoenix. I wonder if this has anything to do with her upbringing. Maybe she came here for closure and she’s not in danger after all.

But then again, what if she is? All this time I’ve wasted because I couldn’t ... wouldn’t put my petty, absurd issues aside regarding her past. And who gives a shit that she even did it? She can’t take it back or change it, so why can’t I be the bigger man and go forward? She’s not that person today. We all make mistakes in life.

As I ponder these things, I know one thing: Midnight was right about me. I’m the one who needs fixing. I need to understand, to recognize, that not everyone is perfect and that some flaws are what make each person unique ... make them more beautiful.

The trip is short and it’s not too long before we land. We pick up our SUV rental and Leland books us rooms in a hotel, just in case, before we drive out to the location Rashid provided. Weaving our way through the little bit of traffic, my phone rings. Midnight.

As soon as I answer, I almost run off the fucking road. It’s not what she says, but it’s the way her voice shakes and the depth of her tone. I pull the car to the side so Leland can drive. I’m suddenly ice cold, even though the heat is on in the car. Why the fuck did she come out here alone?